Jar (pelike) with Odysseus and Elpenor

Unlike other transportation jars (like the amphora), a pelike would have a flattened bottom so that it could stand on its own.

This jar was one of the "earliest and by far most impressive representation in ancient art of a famous passage in the Odyssey.

He appears to be still, but the viewer can get a sense of the fighter in him since his foot is tip-toed and ready to spring into action.

Similarly to Odysseus, he looks very still, as his feet are planted on the ground, but his knees are bent which indicates he could jump up to help the two mortals.

Odysseus was traveling to the Underworld to speak to a prophet when he ran into his deceased companion, Elpenor.

One night on Circe Island, Elpenor drank too much and tried to fall asleep on the roof; however, he fell off in his sleep and died.

This mythological scene is when Odysseus runs into him and Elpenor begs him to give him a proper burial.