Apulian Red-Figure Askos

On one side of this flask-like vessel, an older man runs along brandishing a stick. The focus of his pursuit is depicted on the other side, perhaps fleeing the beating. The pair can be seen as a master and slave, a subject common in the phlyax plays that were popular in Southern Italy during the 300s and 200s B.C.

Phlyax plays were farces parodying the heroes and themes of mythology or the comic elements of everyday life. The term phlyax, which is used for both the play and the costumed actors, probably derives from the Greek verb "to swell" and finds its meaning in the actors' costumes. They wore a mask, tights, a padded tunic, and a large artificial phallus; any other garments necessary for the role were worn over this.