Life, death, and heroes: The use of epic themes in the relief pithoi of the Boiotian-Tenian group

This thesis offers a close examination of a selection of 7th century BCE narrative Boiotian-Tenian relief pithoi found in funerary contexts. Through a consideration of the iconography, deposition and use contexts, and the socio-political production contexts of these relief pithoi, it is argued that epic and mythical images were employed on these vessels to console the deceased's loved ones and to establish his or her family's social status in their communities. Though Boiotian-Tenian relief pithoi are the primary focus of this thesis, select examples of painted vases from Attica will be considered in the same manner as well.