Dickinson College Commentaries

Litovchenko: Charon Carries Souls Across The River Styx

Charon (foreground left) pushes his boat off the banks of the Styx to ferry a group of souls to the underworld. On the embankment (foreground right) more souls beg to be allowed onto the boat, while two souls cling to the anchor chain on the prow of the boat. On a outcropping of rock (background right) Vergil and Dante watch the scene.

Cinerary altar representing the rape of Proserpina

The face of the altar is divided into two registers. The upper register illustrates the rape of Proserpina (Persephone) by Dis (Hades). Dis (left) stands in a four-horse chariot driven by a cupid (center right). He grabs Proserpina by the waist sweeping her up into the chariot with his right arm. One of her feet is just visible behind the chariot. Proserpina's left arm is thrown over her head, her right is outstretched behind her.

Thermae boxer (Boxer at Rest)

A boxer sits on a rock resting after his match. His head is turned, looking over his right shoulder. Injuries on his body and face are highlighted with red copper to mimic blood; small drops fall onto his body. He also shows signs of long-term injuries such as cauliflower ear. He is nude except for his leather hand-wraps.

Dancing Maenad holding a thyrsus, detail of a Roman relief

A maenad dances holding a thyrsus in her right hand. She wears a very light, almost transparent, dress, earrings and a what appears to be a diadem. Her hair is down, but gathered in a loose, low ponytail.

Medea boiling the ram, detail of a black-figure neck amphora

Medea (center left) stands in front of a lebes (center right) on a tripod over a fire, out of which the front half of a ram appears. Her left hand is raised in command; she wears a mitra, embroidered chiton, and striped himation. Behind her sits a white-haired Pelias, he holds a staff in his left hand. Pelias' daughters, Antinoe and Asteropeia stand on the opposite side of the lebes (right) one has her right hand raised in astonishment.

Hercules and Omphale, detail of a Roman mosaic from Llíria

Hercules (left) is dressed in women's clothes. He holds a distaff with wool in his left hand and what appears to be a drop spindle in his right (mosaic is damaged). Omphale is seated (right) nude except for Hercules' traditional lion skin. Hercules' club rests in the crook of her left arm.

Herakles and the gods fighting the giants, detail of a black-figure amphora in the style of the Lysippides Painter

A bearded Zeus (left) steps into a quadriga (center) holding the reins in his left hand and a thunderbolt in right. Herakles stands in the chariot, left foot on the pole; he wears a short embroidered chiton and the lion's skin, with quiver at his back, and is in the act of shooting an arrow from his bow. On the far side of the chariot is Athena (right) wearing her helmet, aegis with fringe of snakes, and breastplate. She carries a shield and spear aimed toward a fallen giant.

Hercules diverting the rivers Alpheios and Peneus, detail of a Roman mosaic from Llíria

Hercules (left) lifts a rake above his head apparently to break the bank of either the river Alpheus or Peneus represented by a stack of rocks (right). A stream of water flows from the earth into a bucket. Hercules wears his lion skin and his club lies discarded on the ground at his feet.

Herakles defeats Hippolyta, detail of an Attic red-figure neck amphora

Herakles (left) battles Hippolyte (center). Herakles grabs Hippolyte by her right arm with his left hand, raising his club in his right. Hippolyte has fallen to her right knee, and supports herself with the shield on her left arm. A wrapped object at her waist may represent the belt Herakles was sent to retrieve. A second Amazon (left) raises her shield attempting to engage Herakles.

Hercules and the Stymphalian Birds, detail of a Roman mosaic from Llíria

Hercules (left) draws his bow aiming at three of the Stymphalian birds (right), which are diving at him. Hercules wears his lion skin, a quiver is slung across his right shoulder and rests against his left hip.