Dickinson College Commentaries

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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Escape from Colchis

Map showing how Medea and the Argonauts make their escape from Colchis

Peter Pond reads the opening of Argonautica, Book 4.1-56 in Greek.

Apulian red-figure situla: Odysseus and Diomedes steal the horses of Rhesus

The painting is roughly divided into two registers. In the upper register three Thracians sleep, two on the left, one on the right. They wear long belted tunics with long sleeves and leggings decorated in a zigzag pattern visible beneath. On their heads are pointed hats or hoods. The lower register shows Diomedes (left) and Odysseus (right) stealing two horses. Both men are nude except for their cloaks and carry swords in their right hands. Odysseus is bearded and wears a pointed hat.