White-Ground Black-Figure Oil Flask (Lekythos) on White Ground with Siren and Mourners

The central figure on this flask is a Siren. Modern viewers may hear the word ‘siren’ and picture a mermaid—as on the Starbucks logo--but in Greek mythology, Sirens had the head of a woman and the body of a bird of prey. These mythical creatures were known for their beautiful songs, which were irresistible to anyone who heard them. In early stories, including the famous Odyssey by Homer, the Sirens lured unwitting sailors to their deaths. The Sirens’ songs were thought to include promises of hidden knowledge, including information about the afterlife, and possibly a glimpse of the Underworld itself. For these reasons, the image of the Siren came to be associated with death and funerary customs. 

In a funerary context, Sirens were not depicted as violent creatures. Rather, their beautiful, otherworldly music was employed to assist the souls of the deceased on their journey to the underworld.  On this oil flask, the Siren sits on top of a grave marker, accompanying herself on a lyre. Two men in the company of their hunting dogs flank the tomb, mourning the deceased. The representation of the Siren on this vessel is a good example of how the ancient perceptionof mythical creatures varied depending on the context in which they appeared. This flask was made to carry the oils that were used during funerary rituals, and it presents a comforting image, not a frightening one.