Red-Figure Mixing Bowl (Volute Krater) with Achilles killing Penthesilea

The death of Penthesilea at the hands of Achilles is one of the most famous myths from the Aethiopis, alostepic poem. The myth was preserved by other poets and represented on Greek vessels such as this one.  It captures the conflict between war and love. 

Penthesilea was the queen of the Amazons, a mythological kingdom of warrior women. She was fierce in battle and was also known for her wisdom and skill. During the Trojan War, the Amazons fought on the side of the Trojans. Achilles, whose mother was divine, was not only an extremely skilled soldier, but was considered a hero, blessed by Zeus and was acknowledged as being the “best of Greeks.”  

Well-matched, Achilles and Penthesilea had respect for each other’s prowess and yet they were fated to fight to the death. Some versions of the story say that Penthesilea first killed Achilles and Zeus brought him back to life. The most popular version is depicted on this vase. It captures the moment that Achilles kills Penthesilea, plunging his spear into her breast as she stares directly into his eyes At this very moment, Achilles falls in love with her. The story underscores the importance of duty: Achilles’ responsibility to his comrades and cause were more important than his personal feelings.