Pragmatic Interpretation of the Monster from: Mixing Bowl (column krater) with a Man and Woman Confronting a monster, # 63.420, Callisto rather than Hesione.

The monster depicted on Mixing bowl (column krater) with a man and woman confronting a monster, # 63.420, at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is commonly identified as the sea monster, and the scene is associated with the story of Herakles and Hesione.

Applying the TLVIV Phenotype Analysis method it is suggested that the strange Dinosaur’s head, or, Dragon’s head, or otherwise fossil inspired depiction is in fact a shattered leather shield, held by a bear.

This interpretation of course changes the identification of the scene from Hesione to Callisto. The story - of the hunt of the metamorphoses bear-Callisto - is known in two main versions, hence the identification of the other two images calls for interpretation over interpretation which is beyond the scope of this interpretation.

However it is quite clear that the man and woman hunters are either not that recognizable, or they lack their iconic accessories.

Possible speculations include Arcas, Artemis, Hera and more. As it seems the woman hunter is depicted spitting on the Bear’s shield, this speculation is not within the pragmatic field, but still worth mentioning.

Conclusions: The sea monster is actually a Bear, perhaps Callisto, perhaps telling the story of Ursa Major, but not of Hesione. The Dragon’s head is in fact a shattered leather shield.