Dickinson College Commentaries

Herakles strangling the snakes, detail of a red-figure stamnos attributed to the Berlin Painter

The infants Herakles (center) and Iphikles (right) lie on a bed. The snakes sent by Hera wrap around Herakles' waist while he grasps their throats strangling them. A woman at the head of the bed lifts Iphikles to safety.

Gnōthi Sauton mosaic, convent of San Gregorio excavations

A skeletal form lies on its side in the grass facing the viewer. Its ribs and pelvis are visible. Its arms and legs are intact though they appear wasted. Underneath it is the inscription Gnōthi Sauton.

Agache: Les parques (The Fates)

The Fates (left) are seated next to a yarn winding frame (right). Nona (Greek Clotho, background left) holds a distaff with wool in her right hand and appears to be spinning thread with her right. Seated in front of her (foreground center) Decima (Greek Lachesis) winds the spun thread on a yarn winding frame. Morta (Greek Atropos, foreground left) watches cupping her chin in her left hand. In her right hand she holds her scissors in her lap.

Rubens: Tereus' Banquet

Tereus (left) sits on a throne covered in red drapery. He faces Philomela and Procne (right) raising his left hand as if to ward the off; his right hand grips a sheathed sword. Procne holds her son, Itys', severed head in her bare hands, stretching it out toward her husband Tereus. Philomela stands behind Procne with her right hand on Procne's left shoulder. Philomela grips a thyrsus behind her back in her left hand. Both women's hair is loose and their clothing disarrayed indicating their madness.

Philomela and Procne prepare to kill Itys, detail of a red-figure wine cup attributed to Makron

Philomela (right) wears a chiton with her hair loose around her shoulders. She lifts the nude Itys (center) by the upper arms. Procne (left) faces Philomela gesturing with both hands raised. She wears a chiton and her hair is arranged on the back of her head with a ribbon tied around the crown of her head. A sword hilt is just visible on her left hip.

Pentheus and the Maenads, detail of a fresco from the House of the Vettii

Pentheus half-kneeling (center) is held by two maenads. The left maenad grabs his hair raising a thyrsus in her right hand. The second maenad (right) holds Pentheus by his left arm. Behind Pentheus a third maenad raises a rock above her head preparing to strike him. Two more maenads appear in the upper right and left hand corners.

Helios, detail of a metope from the Temple of Athena at Ilion

Helios (left) drives a four-horse chariot, the horses (right) rearing onto their hind legs. Helios' head is framed by a halo of rays.

Orestes seeking asylum at Delphi, detail of a Paestan Red-Figure Bell Krater attributed to Python

Orestes (foreground center) kneels beside the omphalos in front of a tripod at Delphi, seeking sanctuary from the Furies. Athena (left) and Apollo (right) intervene on his behalf.

Herakles and Alkyoneus, detail of a red-figure kylix

Herakles (left) sneaks up on the unconscious giant Alkyoneus (center), with Hermes (right) helping him. Herakles wears his lion skin and carries his club in his left hand. He gestures toward Alkyoneus with his right. Hermes carries his caduceus in his left hand and gestures toward Alkyoneus with his right. Alkyoneus lies with his feet toward Herakles and his right arm thrown over his face.

Herakles and the Golden Apples, detail of a metope from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia

Herakles stands (center) arms raised above his head supporting the sky. He is approached by Atlas (right) who offers him the golden apples of the Hesperides. Athena (left) stands behind Herakles helping him hold up the sky with her left hand.