Mythical hunter, loved by Aphrodite, but killed by a boar. Originally an eastern fertility god, Tammuz. Athenian women cultivated 'Adonis gardens' of pots with fast-growing plants, which they placed on the roof, a ritual act shown on some vases.
Above left: 'Adonis Garden'. Detail from Athenian red-figure lekythos, about 425-375 BC. Karlsruhe, Badisches Landesmuseum B39. Photo. Mus. R8057 © Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe
Above right: LIMC Adonis No. 10. Florence, Museo Archeologico 81948 © LIMC
