The story of Pelops is chiefly connected with Olympia, and his visit to Oinomaos; but the subjects are almost exclusively confined to the later Apulian vases. On one B.F. (Cyrenaic) kylix Pelops is depicted with the winged horses given him by Poseidon,[[1266]] but this is exceptional. The Olympia scenes include five episodes: (1) the arrival of Pelops at Olympia[[1267]]; (2) the sacrifice or compact with Oinomaos[[1268]]; (3) the race[[1269]]; (4) the death of Myrtilos[[1270]]; (5) the carrying off of Hippodameia.[[1271]] Pelops also occurs with Myrtilos and Hippodameia in the under-world.[[1272]]
The adventures of Bellerophon are not so popular as those of other heroes, especially in the R.F. period. The story told in the sixth Iliad appears in several scenes, beginning with Bellerophon’s taking leave of Proitos[[1273]]; next we see him delivering the letter with its σήματα λυγρά to Iobates, the king of Lycia,[[1274]] and then, mounted on Pegasos, slaying the Chimaera.[[1275]] Subsequent events represented on vases are the death of the perfidious Stheneboia, who falls from the back of Pegasos,[[1276]] and the marriage of Bellerophon with Philonoë.[[1277]]
Nor need the story of Meleager detain us long. Scenes from his life are practically confined to the Calydonian boar-hunt, a subject popular at all periods, especially on early vases.[[1278]] Kastor and Polydeukes, Peleus, and other heroes, together with Atalante, are represented as taking part, as well as Meleager. There is also a vase on which Meleager is represented with the boar’s hide, accompanied by Atalante, Peitho, and Eros.[[1279]] Other scenes where a boar-hunt is represented, but no names given, or only names of a fanciful kind, may or may not be identified in this way.[[1280]] There is one vase which appears to represent the death of Meleager.[[1281]]
The next of the Greek heroes with whom we have to deal is Jason, with whom we must include the whole cycle of subjects relating to the Argonautika—such as the stories of Helle, Phineus, and Talos. The legend of the golden fleece which gave rise to the famous quest of Jason is first illustrated by scenes representing Helle or Phrixos in flight on the ram,[[1282]] or the former grouped with her mother Nephele and her brother Phrixos,[[1283]] who accompanied her on her flight. The pursuit of Phrixos and the ram by Ino is also represented.[[1284]] Lastly, there is a vase which may represent the setting out of Jason.[[1285]]
In the earlier history of the Argonautic expedition the most interesting subject found on the vases is the story of Phineus, who had been blinded for impiety by Boreas,[[1286]] and was subsequently deprived of his food by the Harpies until he was delivered by the sons of Boreas, Zetes, and Kalais.[[1287]] Another event is the chastisement of Amykos by Kastor and Polydeukes,[[1288]] and a fine vase of “Polygnotan” style in the Louvre represents a group of Argonauts apparently without any special signification.[[1289]] In all these scenes Kastor and Polydeukes and the Boreades are present together with Jason. There is also a scene which has been interpreted as belonging to the Argonautika: Herakles is represented sacrificing to a statue of Chryse on the island of Lemnos.[[1290]]
Then we have the arrival of Jason and his companions in Kolchis,[[1291]] and the subsequent feats performed by the hero—his slaying the dragon[[1292]] (in one version he enters into its mouth[[1293]]), his contest with the bull,[[1294]] and finally the capture of the fleece,[[1295]] which he is also represented as bringing to Pelias on his return.[[1296]] The only important event relating to the homeward journey is the death of Talos.[[1297]]