Καλλιρρ(ό)η κρήνη on the British Museum hydria (B 331) with girls drawing water at the fountain of Kallirrhoë. More often names are given to inanimate objects like the θᾶκος (seat) and ὑδρία (pitcher) on the François vase, σταθμός on the Arkesilas cup, the βῶμος (altar) on a vase in Munich (Cat. 124), λύρα (lyre) on a cup in Munich (333), and θρονός (throne) on an amphora in the Louvre.[[2158]] On a washing-basin on a R.F. vase published by Tischbein appears the word
, i.e. “public baths.”[[2159]] The word τέρμων sometimes appears on a stele on later vases.[[2160]] Animals are also occasionally named, such as the ὗς on the Munich vase already quoted (333).[[2161]]
But the greater majority of these inscriptions refer to the names of persons, deities, and mythological figures, the name being usually in the nominative, but occasionally in the genitive, with εἶδος or εἰκων understood.[[2162]] Sometimes generic names or nicknames are given to ordinary figures in genre scenes, as Ἀρχεναύτης, “the ship’s captain”; Κώμαρχος, “leader of the revels”; or, again, Πλήξιππος for a horseman, Τόξαμις and Κιμμέριος for a Scythian bowman.[[2163]] Names of real contemporary persons are occasionally introduced, as on a hydria by Phintias, on which his comrade Euthymides and the “minor artist” Tlenpolemos are represented, with names inscribed[[2164]]; and on a stamnos by Smikros at Brussels the artist introduces himself and the potter Pheidiades at a banquet.[[2165]] Although proper names usually stand alone, they are sometimes accompanied by some interjection, as ὁδὶ Μενεσθεύς, “Here is Menestheus,”[[2166]] Σφίγξ ἥδε χαῖρε, “This is the Sphinx; hail!”[[2167]] or in the form of a phrase, as Ἑρμῆς εἰμὶ Κυλλήνιος.[[2168]] So also we find
Ἅλιος γέρων, “the old man of the sea,” for Nereus[[2169]];
“Nestor of Pylos”[[2170]];
