The article deals with a vase fragment, dating from the late 1st to the early 2nd century ad, in the Harry Tzalas Collection. It is decorated with a ship and a figure bearing the characteristic features of the mythical Skylla, a scene obviously representing the relevant episode from Ulysses’ adventures narrated in the Odyssey. The study of the embellishment technique (terra sigillata), the popularity of the SkylIa theme in relief pottery decoration and in sculpture from the 6th century B.C. to the 2nd century ad, as well as the artistic and literary trends of the period suggest that the choice of he subject decorating the vase, to which this fragment belongs, has been influenced by the maritime adventures encountered in many works of Greek literature, which follow the stream of literary classicism that prevails during he Second Sophistic (1st- 3rd century ad).
