Plate Depicting the Myth of Cadmus
Medium
tin-glazed earthenware with gold lustre (maiolica)
Dimensions
diam. 26.3 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1950.156
Tags
male
About this artwork
Obeying the command of an oracle, Cadmus followed a cow to Boeotia, or “oxen-land.” There he slayed a dragon and buried its teeth in the ground. From the teeth grew a crop of warriors who fought each other until only the strongest five remained. Cadmus invited the victors to join him, and together they built the city of Thebes, where the mythological hero, Hercules (or Herakles) was later born.