Dickinson College Commentaries

Overview of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, Eleusis

View over the excavations of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore from the base of the hill, including the area of the Telesterion.

Photo of the constellation Libra

Photo of the night sky with the constellation Libra outlined

Hades and Persephone holding court, detail from an Apulian red-figure krater

Hades and Persephone (center) sit on a couch in their palace. Persephone glances toward Hades who looks out at Hermes (upper right) and Orpheus (lower right). Hermes sits on a stool holding a hydria in his right hand and his caduceus in his left. Below him Orpheus stands holding a kithara in his right hand and plectrum in his left. Megara sits on a pedestal outside the palace(upper left) with her two sons. Below (lower left) a woman, possibly Hecate, stands holding torches in each hand.

Herakles presenting Cerberus to Eurystheus, detail of a black-figure hydria attributed to the Eagle Painter

Herakles (left), wearing his lion skin, holds his club in his right hand, and Cerberus' leash in his left. Cerberus (center) lunges toward a large storage jar (left) in which Eurystheus is hiding. Snakes coil in front of Cerberus' snouts and front paws.

Drölling: Orphée et Eurydice

Orpheus (left) naked except for a cloak, rushes towards Eurydice (foreground right) who falls into Mercury's arms (background right) to Hell. Orpheus' left hand is outstretched toward Eurydice, barely grazing her arm. His right hand is raised, palm toward the viewer in denial or supplication. Mercury is mostly obscured by shadow, identified by his winged helmet. A lyre lies on the ground at at Eurydice's feet.

Kratzenstein-Stub: Orpheus and Eurydice

Eurydice (left) and Orpheus (right) reach for each other as she is pulled back into the underworld. Her arms are raised over her head and her body is bowed as she strains toward Orpheus; her dress blows toward Orpheus with the speed of her movement.

Orpheus charming the animals, detail of a Roman Mosaic

Orpheus (center) sits on a rock under a tree. He holds his lyre in his left hand. His right arm is extended and he holds the plectrum in his right hand. Various animals (including a tortoise, bull, peacock, tiger, and deer) surround him listening attentively.

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.