Sepulcre painting of a horseman in hunting livery – Achilles.
This painting is reproduced from an Etruscan tomb at Tarquinia in central Italy known as the tomb of the bulls because of other elements within the mural. The subject matter is taken directly from Greek mythology and represents the hero Achilles as he lays in ambush of the prince Troilus who is riding his horse near a well at the walls of Troy.
An etruscan horseman, possibly an allusion to Achilles.
It may be presumed that the tomb’s “owner” is being likened to the great character of mythology. The lower section is harder to decipher but we may broadly presume that the trees represent different seasons and that the sash hung between them may be the sash often worn by Etruscan men at that time – see Achilles in the top section of the fresco for example. But what about that wreath at the bottom right? Why are there two sashes hung on the trees at different heights? Perhaps our noble Etruscan prince died in the autumn of his life?
More Etruscan frescoes and information
A lot about Ancient Rome
Where to find this painting in real life…Tarquinia