This procession is a marvelous piece of art. Alas, the drawing leaves me frustrated. It leaves several figures unidentified and fails to translate or transliterate a number of inscriptions. I would also argue that the tail end of the procession is at the lower right rather than the upper left, as we can see Hephaistos behind the marriage chamber going in the same direction as everyone else. But more on him in a bit.

Chiron leads the procession (he is ahead of Iris…um…by a nose, sorry couldn’t resist) and appears to be giving Peleus a high five. Something is written below their hands and maybe this explains Chiron’s position of honor here. Apart from fostering Achilles, his only connection to Peleus is giving the latter his sword during a fight with the Centaurs.

Iris makes sense in the lead as a messenger of the gods, most specifically of Hera, the goddess of, among other things, marriage.

The incorrectly labeled Charilco (properly, her name is Chariclo or Khariklo) is presumably the wife of Chiron, explaining her presence here. Hestia is logical near the front, since she is the goddess of the hearth. The third figure here is, alas, not named.

Dionysos is obviously bringing the wine for the party. His “loopy-looking” pose is highly reminiscent of the posture of maenads and Medusa in the art of this period. In other words, it’s going to be a good party. He is followed by the “Seasons”, presumably th

e Horai. Behind them, we have more unidentified words, this time apparently coming from the mouth of a horse.

Scattered over the next length of the procession are seven muses. Since the vase was made c. 570 BC, the number of the muses was not yet canonized nor did they have specific functions at the time, so I doubt we can read much into there arrangement and location. They are obviously providing the music.

The first chariot contains Zeus and Hera, which seems reasonable. Perhaps Hera is here and sent Iris to represent her at the front in order to emphasize them as a married couple. Behind them is a chariot with an unnamed pair. This is one of three unnamed couples. Since Poseidon is the only male Olympian not named, perhaps he and Amphitryte are one of the couples. Another possibility might be Nereus and Doris, the parents of the bride.

Then we have Aphrodite and Ares. Interesting that we have an adulterous pair in the middle of a marrige procession. Then the three Graces or Kharites, always nice to have at a wedding to give a positive omen. They are followed by Apollo and Artemis. It seems reasonable that an unmarried brother and sister might come together like this.

Next come Athena and Nike. Note that Athena doesn’t seem to be marching in the procession, but standing there. Then we have another unnamed couple in a chariot and then the Fates or Moirai. A bit ominous, but they had a hand in this marriage (Thetis was fated to have a son who would be greater than his father, which is why Zeus left her alone).

The next chariot carries Hermes and Maia. Hermes has a beard, which is somewhat unusual. He is generally depicted as a youth. But the youngest Olympian has still had to bring his mother as his companion. Poor boy.

Then we have an unnamed trio of females. Who is left? All I can think of are the Graiai, but these goddesses are much too young. (And who on earth would want the Graiai at their wedding anyway?) Behind them is another unnamed couple in a chariot. Bringing up the rear is Hephaistos, seated on a donkey. This is a saddle-donkey and was a common attribute of Hephaistos. But here he is, sadly trailing along at the end while his wife and her lover ride proudly in their chariot some way ahead of him.

I think what may be even more interesting is what is not shown in the procession. There are no torches, which were common to marriage processions in the Classical era. Does this painting predate their use? Of the Olympians, Demeter is missing. She may be one of the unnamed women, but who would her male companion be? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Hymenaios is missing. His absence is supposed to be disastrous to a marriage. The marriage of Peleus and Thetis was somewhat less than successful, so perhaps his absence is intentional.