ACHILLES DRAGS THE BODY OF HECTOR 8981. AN IMPORTANT GREEK ALABASTRON DEPICTING A SCENE FROM THE ILLIAD. Hellenistic, 2nd-1st century BC. The alabaster perfume vessel carved in relief with Achilles dragging the body of Hector behind his chariot around the walls of Troy, ornamental floral registers above and below, traces of sheet gold overlay, remains of an ancient bronze pin embedded in small suspension? holes on the sides, the whole of fine white fine grained alabaster with a golden honey patina. 1.5 x 4.4 inches. In excellent condition all original with no repair or restoration. A unique museum quality example of fine Greek art. Provenance: An extensive North Eastern collection. Acquired via private sale from the collection of a New York entertainer in the early 1990's. In the Iliad, Homer describes the defeat of Hector, the champion warrior of Troy, by Achilles, the mightiest of the Greek warriors. After killing Hector in single combat on the field outside the gates of Troy, Achilles humiliated and infuriated the Trojans by dragging Hector's body round the walls of Troy behind his chariot with a rope around his foot. Achilles dragging the body of Hector is one of the great stories from Greek legend. $40.000.