DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15099#0109
84
Neptune was engaged, and in which rocks were the missiles with
which the contest was carried on. It would be perfectly appro-
priate to the temple of Theseus to introduce one of the most
memorable exploits of Neptune, his reputed father. Here then,
we suppose, we see Neptune standing firm against the attacks
made upon him by four naked giants; his legs, of which the
right from the hip downwards is missing, have been placed
apart, enabling him to oppose his whole strength to the masses
of rock which are hurled against him, while at the same time
he is prepared to advance for the repulse or destruction of his
adversaries. He has been partially clothed in a peplus, which has
fallen from his person, hangs partly over his left arm, and almost
trails on the ground; his right arm is lost, but has evidently been
raised, and probably wielded his trident, with which he dealt
destruction amongst his foes. His left hand is at the same time
stretched forth, and pushing back a rock which one of the giants
is endeavouring to hurl against him. This giant is in an attitude
of great power, and appears fiercely excited ; with his right hand
he is hurling the rock which Neptune stops with his left, and
with his left, part of which with its arm from the shoulder is want-
ing, he is at the same time hurling another rock against the di-
vinity ; both his legs have been broken off about the knee.
By thus placing two rocks at once in the hands of these giants,
and giving them the appearance of wielding them with the almost
open hand, the artist has endeavoured to intimate the enormous
energy of these rebels against the gods, and to enhance the
glory of the personages who could successfully resist such anta-
gonists, when engaged against them in the proportion of four to
one.
Immediately behind the giant whom we have just described is
another figure, so mutilated that we can scarcely ascertain the
action; the left; arm is lost, but the hand still remains, and with it
he appears to be lifting a piece of rock, while with his right
Neptune was engaged, and in which rocks were the missiles with
which the contest was carried on. It would be perfectly appro-
priate to the temple of Theseus to introduce one of the most
memorable exploits of Neptune, his reputed father. Here then,
we suppose, we see Neptune standing firm against the attacks
made upon him by four naked giants; his legs, of which the
right from the hip downwards is missing, have been placed
apart, enabling him to oppose his whole strength to the masses
of rock which are hurled against him, while at the same time
he is prepared to advance for the repulse or destruction of his
adversaries. He has been partially clothed in a peplus, which has
fallen from his person, hangs partly over his left arm, and almost
trails on the ground; his right arm is lost, but has evidently been
raised, and probably wielded his trident, with which he dealt
destruction amongst his foes. His left hand is at the same time
stretched forth, and pushing back a rock which one of the giants
is endeavouring to hurl against him. This giant is in an attitude
of great power, and appears fiercely excited ; with his right hand
he is hurling the rock which Neptune stops with his left, and
with his left, part of which with its arm from the shoulder is want-
ing, he is at the same time hurling another rock against the di-
vinity ; both his legs have been broken off about the knee.
By thus placing two rocks at once in the hands of these giants,
and giving them the appearance of wielding them with the almost
open hand, the artist has endeavoured to intimate the enormous
energy of these rebels against the gods, and to enhance the
glory of the personages who could successfully resist such anta-
gonists, when engaged against them in the proportion of four to
one.
Immediately behind the giant whom we have just described is
another figure, so mutilated that we can scarcely ascertain the
action; the left; arm is lost, but the hand still remains, and with it
he appears to be lifting a piece of rock, while with his right