DOI article:
De Cou, Herbert F.: The frieze of the choragic monument of Lysicrates at Athens
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8681#0333
THE FRIEZE OF THE CHORAOIC MONUMENT.
321
Dionysus and his panther and is externally denned by a crater at
either side, we observe that, while the two satyrs immediately to
the right (i1) and left (i) of Dionysus (0), correspond in youth and
in their attitude toward him, the satyr at the left (i) has a thyrsus
and a mantle which the other does not possess. These figures
have unfortunately suffered much; the central group is through-
out badly damaged, the upper part of the body and the head ot
Dionysus especially so. Of the tail of the panther as drawn in
Stuart's work, no trace exists. The faces of the two satyrs and
the head of the thyrsus are also much mutilated. The other two
satyrs (u: II1), Avhose faces are also mutilated, correspond very
closely in youth, action, and nudity. In these two pairs of figures
it is also to be noticed that the heads of i and n at the left face
the central group, while the heads of i1 and n1 at the right are
turned away from the centre, toward the right. By this device
the sculptor has obviated any awkwardness which might arise
from the necessity of placing Dionysus in profile.
Passing now to the scenes outside of the vases, we observe that,
of the first pair of satyrs, the bearded figure at the left (in), leans
upon a tree-stump, over which is thrown his panther-skin, as he
contemplates the contest between his fellows and the pirates,
while against his right side rests a thyrsus. The corresponding
satyr on the right (in1), also bearded, but with his head now nearly
effaced, wears his mantle slung over the left shoulder as he ad-
vances to the right, offering with his right hand the-freshly filled
wine-cup to a youthful companion (iv1). The latter, with panther-
skin over left shoulder and arm, and club (partially effaced) in
outstretched right hand, is moving rapidly to the right, as if to
join in the battle; his face (also somewhat mutilated) is partly
turned to the left, and despite his attitude of refusal he forms a
sort of group with his neighbor on that side (in1), and has no con-
nection, as has been wrongly assumed,25 with the following group
to the right (v1). Corresponding with this youthful satyr, we have
on the left (iv) a nude bearded satyr (face somewhat damaged,)
armed with a torch instead of a club, moving swiftly to the left
to take part in the contest. He has no group-relation with his
* British Museum Marbles, ix, p. 114.
321
Dionysus and his panther and is externally denned by a crater at
either side, we observe that, while the two satyrs immediately to
the right (i1) and left (i) of Dionysus (0), correspond in youth and
in their attitude toward him, the satyr at the left (i) has a thyrsus
and a mantle which the other does not possess. These figures
have unfortunately suffered much; the central group is through-
out badly damaged, the upper part of the body and the head ot
Dionysus especially so. Of the tail of the panther as drawn in
Stuart's work, no trace exists. The faces of the two satyrs and
the head of the thyrsus are also much mutilated. The other two
satyrs (u: II1), Avhose faces are also mutilated, correspond very
closely in youth, action, and nudity. In these two pairs of figures
it is also to be noticed that the heads of i and n at the left face
the central group, while the heads of i1 and n1 at the right are
turned away from the centre, toward the right. By this device
the sculptor has obviated any awkwardness which might arise
from the necessity of placing Dionysus in profile.
Passing now to the scenes outside of the vases, we observe that,
of the first pair of satyrs, the bearded figure at the left (in), leans
upon a tree-stump, over which is thrown his panther-skin, as he
contemplates the contest between his fellows and the pirates,
while against his right side rests a thyrsus. The corresponding
satyr on the right (in1), also bearded, but with his head now nearly
effaced, wears his mantle slung over the left shoulder as he ad-
vances to the right, offering with his right hand the-freshly filled
wine-cup to a youthful companion (iv1). The latter, with panther-
skin over left shoulder and arm, and club (partially effaced) in
outstretched right hand, is moving rapidly to the right, as if to
join in the battle; his face (also somewhat mutilated) is partly
turned to the left, and despite his attitude of refusal he forms a
sort of group with his neighbor on that side (in1), and has no con-
nection, as has been wrongly assumed,25 with the following group
to the right (v1). Corresponding with this youthful satyr, we have
on the left (iv) a nude bearded satyr (face somewhat damaged,)
armed with a torch instead of a club, moving swiftly to the left
to take part in the contest. He has no group-relation with his
* British Museum Marbles, ix, p. 114.