Ingsoc 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2011 Could someone help me place the mythological scene depicted in the photo? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kosmo 5 Report post Posted January 30, 2011 Looks like the Rape of Persephone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bryaxis Hecatee 16 Report post Posted January 30, 2011 I'd agree with Kosmo : women taken forcefully by a bearded man on a chariot, with a rooster (often associated with death) under the chariot, a torch and fruits (associated with Demeter, see the Eleusis mysteries) between the two female characters, Hermes leading the way under the gaze of a man who might well be Zeus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maty 26 Report post Posted January 30, 2011 Apart from Demeter, lady of the golden sword and glorious fruits, she [Persephone] was playing with the deep-bosomed daughters of Okeanos and gathering flowers over a soft meadow, roses and crocuses and beautiful violets, irises also and hyacinths and the narcissus ...but the wide-pathed earth yawned there in the plain of Nysa, and the lord of many, with his immortal horses sprang out upon her; [Hades]the Son of Kronos ... And [Demeter] the daughter of rich-haired Rheia answered Hekate not, but sped swiftly with her, holding flaming torches in her hands. Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter In front of the chariot is certainly Hermes Psychopompus, who leads souls into the underworld. The identity of the bearded bloke on the far right is something of a mystery. Is this bas-relief from a tomb? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GhostOfClayton 25 Report post Posted January 31, 2011 Honestly, you guys never cease to impress me! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ingsoc 0 Report post Posted February 1, 2011 Thanks for all the answers! this depiction is from a sarcophagus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maty 26 Report post Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Thanks for all the answers! this depiction is from a sarcophagus. In that case (and I'll await correction from someone who knows what he is talking about) I'd assume a Roman sarcophagus and go further in thinking that the gent on the right is the deceased. If there is another panel showing a similar figure centre stage then it's almost certain. You'll note that this guy is wearing a toga (rather similar in style to that of Tiberius on the Ara Pacis) which makes him rather out of place in a mythological Greek scene. There's a neat and ordinarily impractical combination of toga - which Romans were buried in - and travelling boots! He has his head covered, which is the proper response of a togate Roman to the presence of the divine,and rather interestingly, a beard, which suggests that we are looking at something late second century AD? Edited February 3, 2011 by Maty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites