AchillesBriseis

Illusration: Achilles sits in his tent while heralds of
Agamemnon lead Briseis away. The Brygan Circle (imitators of the painter
Brygos, lae archaic, early classical period; early to middle of the 5th
century BCE)

I think that the bulge under the chlamys of messenger behind
Briseis is supposed to be his right arm. I sent an inquiry to Professor
Tim McNiven, an expert in Greek Vase Painting Iconography, who writes:

“It is his right hand, under his cloak, which he has
thrown over his left shoulder covering both arms. I’d say it was for warmth,
except the guy next to him is bare to the waist. The artist is trying something
experimental, drawing the cloak this way, but he’s not the best draughtsman,
and so it is a little lumpy, and in an unfortunate place.”

 

The other side of this cup is below, and shows the return
of Briseis to Achilles. The man following her is an analogous position to
the following herald above.