The ancient Greeks conceived of their messenger gods-divinities who carried messages to other gods or humans-as winged, alluding to their swiftness and their ability to go anywhere. Iris and Hermes were the main messenger gods in Greek mythology; Iris primarily served Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of the gods. This small oil container bears a rare representation of both messengers together.For the latest information about this object, Lekythos with Hermes and Iris, visit the Online Collection of the Walters Art Museum.
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)