Horses of Greece: From Pottery to Pegasus
I went to Greece for the views and the sunshine, but (not suprisingly) ended up on a tour of all things horse.
Perched on a quiet hillside near the Acropolis, the Holy Church of Saint Demetrios Loumbardiaris is a 16th-century gem, rich with Byzantine charm and centuries of history etched into its stone walls. There you’ll find a striking fresco dating from 1732: Saint Demetrios astride a red horse, spearing a defeated pagan warrior known as Lyaeus.
Tucked away in the heart of Athens, the National Archaeological Museum is like a time machine packed with gods and heroes. If you like ancient stuff, this place delivers. I apologize in advance for lack of details attached to these photos. Jet lag is real, folks, and I didn’t document things very well.
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- Bronze Age Pottery from Tiryns Acropolis
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- Mycenaean Greece, Tiryns Pottery
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- Chariot Kraters and Horse
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- Chariot Krater
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- Charioteer’s Bit. Middle of the 5th-late 4th c. BCE.
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- Charioteers’s Bit
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- Grave stele. Found in Thespiai, Boeotia. ca. 430 BCE.
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- Equestrian Statue of an Officer
My absolute favorite.
The Roman Agora in Athens is a spacious ancient marketplace built during Roman rule, where merchants once traded goods and Athenians gathered—complete with columns, ruins, and even an old-timey public toilet. One remarkable exhibit shows the grave goods of an OG horse girl circa 750 BCE.
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- Red-figured trefoil oinochoe illustrating a youth leading a horse ca 400 BCE.
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- Fragment of an oinochoe illustrating Athena on chariot ca 410 BCE.
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- Lekythos by the Geia Painter illustrating a winged charioteer driving a team of winged horses ca 490 BCE.
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- 500 – 550 BCE.
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- Pyxis and lid.
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- Fragmentary terracotta chariot and charioteer.
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- Pyxis and lid.
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- Woman’s Grave found with many horse related items ca 750 BCE.
Terracotta toy horse on wheels, 4th cent. CE.
Perched just inside the Chapel of Agios Georgios on Lycabettus Hill is a striking silver-toned relief of Saint George slaying the dragon.
The Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion in Hydra is a preserved 18th-century home that showcases the legacy of Lazaros Koundouriotis, a prominent Greek naval hero, featuring exhibits that highlight the island’s role in the Greek War of Independence.
And finally, one of my favorite souvenirs from the trip: a pair of Pegasus earrings.
Go riding.
Amanda Uechi Ronan is an author, equestrian, and wannabe race car driver. Follow her on Instagram @au_ronan.
