3. Iconographical Evidence on the Black Populations in Greco-Roman Antiquity

Bindman, David; Gates Jr., Henry Louis

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3. Iconographical Evidence on the Black Populations in Greco-Roman Antiquity

Frank M. Snowden Jr.

Description: The Image of the Black in Western Art, Volume I: From the Pharaohs to the Fall of...

The Image of the Black in Western Art, Volume I: From the Pharaohs to the Fall of the Roman Empire

Representations of Negro peoples appear in every major period of classical art. Yet very few illustrations of blacks are included in handbooks and histories of Greek and Roman art, and when some are given, the choice always turns to the same small group of examples ...

Author

Frank M. Snowden Jr.

PublisherHarvard University Press

Related print edition pages: pp.141-250

https://doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00137.007

Stable URL: https://aaeportal.com/?id=-16923

Chapter subject tags:JuvenalEgypt--History--Greco-Roman period, 332 B.C.-640 A.D.Black people in art--Egypt--History--Greco-Roman period, 332 B.C.-640 A.D.

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List of illustrations

Negroid profile carved in shell by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 2000–7150 B.C.
Jewel fresco fragment: pendants in the form of heads of blacks wearing earrings by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1600 B.C.
Nubian archer, detail by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 2000 B.C.
The Captain of the Blacks (reconstruction) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1550–1500 B.C.
Detail of a procession: Negro clad in a loincloth by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 750–701 B.C.
Head of a young mixed type, fresco fragment (detail) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1550–1500 B.C.
Casts of scarabs with heads of blacks by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Perfume vase juxtaposing a head of a bearded barbarian and a head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 700–575 B.C.
Hydria, scenes from Heracles fighting against the Egyptians, side A: Heracles slaying Busiris's priests by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 510 B.C.
Hydria, scenes from Heracles fighting against the Egyptians, side B: soldiers coming to the aid of Busiris by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 510 B.C.
Group of Nubian mercenaries, detail of a military parade by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1425–1408 B.C.
Aryballos in the form of a head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 325 B.C
Attic kantharos in the form of head of an elderly by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 550–500 B.C.
Amphora, detail showing Memnon and an Ethiopian warrior by Exekias
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
540-530 BCE
Amphora, view showing Memnon and two Ethiopian warriors by Exekias
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 535 BCE
Amphora, detail of Ethiopian warrior by Exekias
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 535 BCE
Red-figure cup, detail of interior by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 510–500 BC
Oinochoe in the form of conjoined heads of a white woman and a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
High-handled drinking cup (kantharos) in the form of two women's heads by London Class
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 510–480 BC
Mask of Negro: cast (modern) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 525–475 B.C.
Mask of Negro: mold by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 525–475 B.C.
Mask of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 525–475 B.C.
Attic alabastron: Ethiopian warrior by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–475 B.C.
Sotades, rhyton in the form of a Negro struggling with a crocodile by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Red-figure pelike by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 480 BC
One of Busiris's servants, detail of a pelike by Pan Painter
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 BC
Busiris (?), detail of a stamnos by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Servant of Busiris, detail of a cup by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 475–425 BC
Hydria (detail): Heracles and Busiris's servants by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Red-figure cup, detail of interior by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–475 BC
Stamnos by Altamura Painter
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Red-figure pelike, detail by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 425–401 BC
Red-figure pelike, detail by Niobid Painter
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
450–440 BC
Red-figure pelike by Niobid Painter
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
450–440 BC
Personification of Ethiopia, detail of scene from the "Andromeda" of Euripides by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 425–401 B.C.
Calyx-krater: scene from the Andromeda of Euripides (?) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 425–401 B.C.
Kantharos in shape of conjoined heads of a white woman and a satyr by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Kantharos in shape of conjoined heads of a white woman and a satyr by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Plastic vase: Andromeda (?) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–375 B.C.
Antefix: mask of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–450 B.C.
Antefix: mask of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 550–501 B.C.
Antefix: mask of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–450 B.C.
Negroid Victory driving Heracles' chariot, detail of an oinochoe by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–375 B.C.
Negroid Circe offering magic potion to Odysseus, detail of a skyphos by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 425–375 B.C.
Triobol, obverse: helmeted goddess by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 502 B.C.
Triobol, reverse: head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 502 B.C.
Coin, obverse: head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 490–479 B.C.
Coins, obverse: head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 490–479 B.C.
Coin, obverse: head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Coin, obverse: head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Coin, obverse: head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Kantharos: conjoined heads of Heracles and a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Cameo mounted in ring bezel: sleeping Negro, in a crouching position by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 450–401 B.C.
Statuette of a crouching Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–475 B.C.
Lekythos, detail of side A: young Greek woman by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 475–425 B.C.
Lekythos, detail of side B: Mulatto maid-servant by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 475–425 B.C.
Red-figure amphora by Syriskos Painter;Copenhagen Painter
By John Carlson
on May 01
500–400 B.C.
Perfume flask (aryballos) in the shape of two heads by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 510 B.C.
Amphora, detail by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 480 B.C.
Intaglio mounted in a ring bezel: head of a woman by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 425–401 B.C.
Pendant in the form of a Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 500–401 B.C.
Mask of an old woman by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 375–350 B.C.
Mask of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 375–350 B.C.
Calyx-krater: phlyax-farce observed by two women wearing Negroid masks by Asteas
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Calyx-krater (detail): female dancer and a caricatural figure seesawing on either side of a statue of Silenus by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Standing figure with Negroid features by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Etruscan oinochoe in form of a Negro wearing a laurel wreath by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 425–401 B.C.
Etruscan oinochoe in form of a Negro wearing a laurel wreath by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 425–401 B.C.
Negro Boy Group, plastic mug in the form of an African boy's head, three-quarter view to left by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
350–300 B.C.
Rhyton: head of a man mixed type, frontal view by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Head of a Negroid satyr, detail of a krater by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Rhyton: Negro youth struggling with a crocodile by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Rhyton: Negro youth struggling with a crocodile by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 350 BC
Lekythos: head of a Negro in profile by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 325–301 B.C.
Plastic vase: head of a man of mixed type by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 325–301 B.C.
Plastic vase: head of a man of mixed type by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Krater: unidentified scene (Lynceus cutting the throat of Danaus?) by Brooklyn-Budapest Painter
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 325–301 B.C.
Askos: black woman dancing between a maenad and a satyr, overall view by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Detail of fig. 219 by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Phiale by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 325–301 BC
Phiale, detail by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 325–301 BC
Askos in the form of a child crouching beside a vase by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Lekythos in the form of crouching child by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Askos with mask of a Negro in relief by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Askos (flask with a spout and handle) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400–301 B.C.
Rhyton in the form of the head of an African (fragment) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Boxing match and flute player, detail of a Greek painting by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 365 B.C.
Tetradrachm by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 400 B.C.
Portrait of a North African of mixed type by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 475–425 B.C.
Young black groom steadying a horse, statue base (?) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 325–275 B.C.
Young black groom steadying a horse, statue base (?) (detail) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 325–275 B.C.
Young mulatto groom, fragment of a funerary relief by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 325–301 B.C.
Mosaic of the Nile in flood, detail by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 100–1 B.C.
Mosaic of the Nile in flood by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 100–1 B.C.
Head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–201 B.C.
Fragment of a balsamarium in the form of a Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 225–175 B.C.
Mask of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–101 B.C.
Bust of a Child by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 200 B.C.
Lamp in the form of a Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 200–101 B.C.
Perfume vase: head of an adolescent of Nilotic type by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 100 B.C.
Balsamarium: head of an adolescent of Nilotic type by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–101 B.C.
Handle or pommel in the form of three conjoined heads by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 50 B.C.–50 A.D.
Necklace with two heads of black women forming clasp by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–201 B.C.
Earrings in the form of Negro heads by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Head of a Negro which may have adorned a pin by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Lagynion decorated with a couple embracing by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Lagynion decorated with a couple embracing by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Incense shovel with a Negro head attached to handle by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–201 B.C.
Incense shovel with a Negro head attached to handle by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–201 B.C.
Head of a Negro man, three-quarter front view by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 125–101 B.C.
Head of a Negro man, profile view by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 125–101 B.C.
Statuette of a young musician (?) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a young musician (?) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a young musician (?) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statue of a young Negro, perhaps a musician, overall view by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statue of a young Negro, perhaps a musician, overall view by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statue of a young Negro, perhaps a musician, overall view by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Black African Youth by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 150-50 B.C.
Bronze statuette of an African (known as Ethiopian) youth by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
3rd–2nd century B.C
Black captive or slave by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
2nd-1st century BCE
Askos in the form of a youth sleeping beside an amphora by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Askos in the form of a youth sleeping beside an amphora by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a captive by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statue fragment: adolescent with Negroid features by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a juggler by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a Negro seated, writing on a scroll by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–201 B.C.
Statuette of a seated Ethiopian in imitation of the Spinario by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 100–1 B.C.
Statuette of a black dancer by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a dancer (?) by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Etruscan coins, obverse: head of a black mahout by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–201 B.C.
Etruscan coins, obverse: head of a black mahout by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–201 B.C.
Etruscan coins, reverse: elephant by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–201 B.C.
Etruscan coins, reverse: elephant by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 300–201 B.C.
Statue of a jockey by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 225–201 B.C.
Statuette of a captive by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 25–1 B.C.
Statuette of a captive by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 25–1 B.C.
Statuette of a warrior carrying a double-edged ax by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–300 A.D.
Statuette of a warrior carrying an ax and a shield by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Bust of an Ethiopian by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Sarcophagus fragment: barbarians before a Roman general surrounded by soldiers by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 200–250 A.D.
Apotheosis of Alexandria enthroned between Asia and Africa by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Great Hunt Mosaic, detail: Ethiopian leading a team of oxen by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 301–400 A.D.
Black bath attendant by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Head of a woman representing Libya by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Statuette allegory of Africa by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Vase in the form of a Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Isiac ceremonial with several black officiating priests by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Isiac ceremonial: sacred dance performed by a black by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Statue of a youth standing with arms extended forward by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Statue of a singer or actor by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–200 A.D.
Statue of a singer or actor, detail of head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–200 A.D.
Statuette of a draped Ethiopian by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a draped Ethiopian by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a nude black youth by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a nude black youth by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a phlyax-actor by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 100 B.C.–100 A.D.
Statuette of a phlyax-actor by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 100 B.C.–100 A.D.
Statue of an acrobat balancing on a crocodile by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a tightrope walker clad in a short tunic by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a wrestler, half melted from a fire by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Rattle: child asleep in a squatting position by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Statue of a youth standing with arms extended forward, detail by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Perfume vase: head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Counterweight: head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Counterweight: bust of a woman by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Fragment of a scraper decorated with bust of a diver by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Bust of a child by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Inkwell in the form of a crouching Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Two nails with Negro heads in relief by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Two nails with Negro heads in relief by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Lamp in the form of a Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Vase in the form of a Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Furniture attachment: head of a Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–200 A.D.
Bowl decorated with three heads in relief separated by flat, veined leaves by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–200 A.D.
Boundary marker with Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a gladiator by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Statuette of a Negro carrying a ram by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Lamp in the form of a Negro head, with facial cicatrices by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Lamp in the form of a Negro head with facial cicatrices by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
Unknown
Head of a youth by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 250–300 A.D.
Head of a man by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 250–300 A.D.
Head of a laughing Negro by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 201–300 A.D.
Lamp in the form of a Negro youth, seated, wearing a cucullus by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 201–250 A.D.
Pepper pot in form of sleeping African slave by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 200–270
Intaglio, Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 200–1 B.C.
Plastic vase: Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–300 A.D.
Plastic vase: Negro head by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–300 A.D.
Head of an African(?) priest by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 100–1 B.C.
Head of an Isiac priest by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 25–1 B.C.
Head of an African by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 50 B.C.–50 A.D.
Head of an African by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 50 B.C.–50 A.D.
Head of a woman by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–200 A.D.
Head of a girl, possibly an acolyte to a priestess by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Oct 24
c. 100–130 AD
Head of a black youth by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 1–100 A.D.
Portrait of Memnon by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–200 A.D.
Portrait of Memnon by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–200 A.D.
Portrait of Memnon, detail by Unknown
By John Carlson
on Sep 06
c. 101–200 A.D.