Dickinson College Commentaries

Rosemary Hulse reads Argonautica, Book 4.57-108

Bronze statuette of a veiled and masked dancer

Bronze statuette of a veiled and masked dancer 3rd–2nd century B.C.

Drawing: Ulysses at Alcinous's Palace

Ulysses (Odysseus), dressed in full armor with helmet, walks with King Alcinous. They stand in the center foreground on the walking path of a planned garden, trees on either side of them. In the middle ground courtiers stroll the gardens, including the princess and her attendants. Greenhouses or outbuildings line the left and right margins of the garden and in the far background steps leads up to the terrace of Alcinous's palace, drawn to resemble a Renaissance villa.

Denarius of Augustus

Attic Red Figure Vase: Amymone pursued by Poseidon

Poseidon stands center, nude except for his cloak draped over his left shoulder. He holds his trident in his left hand. He looks toward Amymone at left. She holds a jug in her left hand and looks back over her right shoulder at Poseidon. Her right hand is raised toward Poseidon. To the right of Poseidon stands another woman, probably one of Amymone's sisters.

Mosaic: Leda and the swan

Leda stands with her back to the viewer. She is in a garden, a fountain or birdbath to her left, to her right a swan turning its head to look back over its shoulder at Leda. Leda wears a breastband, but her dress or wrap has fallen down revealing her buttocks. She holds one end of the garment in her right hand, the rest is draped over her left arm. Her head is turned and she looks down toward the swan.

Cigarette Card: Helen of Troy

Helen stands on a balcony or rooftop, center, dressed in a lightweight peplos with a shawl or wrap draped over her left shoulder. Her arms are bare except for an arm ring on her upper right arm and bracelet on her left forearm. Her arms are raised, with her hands behind her head. Her dress and wrap are blown backward by the wind outlining her figure.

Cameo: Venus and Mars in Vulcan's net

Square onyx and sardonyx cameo. In the center, Vulcan stands on the right wearing a dark tunic and white cap. He holds a hammer in his left hand and gestures with his right hand toward Venus and Mars shown nude, lying on a bed. Overlaying the image are the dark ropes of a net in which Vulcan has captured the lovers. Encircling the scene are several busts representing the other Olympian gods. The artist has engraved his name, D. Calabresi, across one of the ropes forming the net.

Hector and Andromache

Bronze statue of Andromache embracing Hector before he leaves for battle. Hector wears his armor and helmet. He holds his spear away from his body in his right hand. Andromache's face is hidden in Hector's chest as she grasps his by right shoulder with her left hand. Andromache wraps her right arm around Hector's left shoulder. Hector's left arm reaches up from under Andromache's right to embrace her, his hand resting in her right bicep.

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