---
title: Lekythos, Odysseus & Polyphemus
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4188/lekythos-odysseus--polyphemus/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Lekythos, Odysseus & Polyphemus

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Lekythos, Odysseus & Polyphemus](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4188.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4188.jpg)

## Image Caption

Oil, especially olive oil, is stored in a specialized [Greek pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Pottery/); lekythos (pleural, lekythoi). Many lekythoi were found inside tombs; they were used to anointg the dead bodies of single men. Mainly dull red and black paints were used by artists to decorate these ceramics. This is a scene from [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/)'s [Odyssey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odyssey/). [Odysseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/odysseus/) and his men tie themselves to the underside of sheep to escape the [giant](https://www.worldhistory.org/Giants/) [cyclops](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Cyclops/) Polyphemus. Attica, [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/), circa 520 BCE. (National Museum of [Scotland](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scotland/), Edinburgh, UK)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2015, November 21). Lekythos, Odysseus & Polyphemus. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4188/lekythos-odysseus--polyphemus/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Lekythos, Odysseus & Polyphemus." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 21, 2015. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4188/lekythos-odysseus--polyphemus/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Lekythos, Odysseus & Polyphemus." *World History Encyclopedia*, 21 Nov 2015, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4188/lekythos-odysseus--polyphemus/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 21 November 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.