DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15099#0135
105
PLATE XXI.
[Height 2 f. 9^ in. Length 2 f. 6 in. each. Old Nos. A 53. and A 54.
New Nos. 15G, 157.]
In this plate are represented two other metopes of the
temple of Theseus. On the first are two persons wrestling; Cer-
cyon, an Arcadian, was said to be the son of Vulcan and to have
resided at Eleusis, where, being extremely expert in the art of
wrestling, and having invented a new mode of practising that
athletic exercise, he challenged all travellers to engage with him,
and put to death all those whom he defeated. Theseus, having
been instructed in this art by Minerva, challenged Cercyon, and
having overpowered him, killed him in the contest. The mode
and circumstances of the encounter are not recorded, but, from
this representation and from another upon a vase in the Museum
collection, we may perceive what was the traditional account
amongst the Athenian people, who professed to be so well con-
vinced of the authenticity of the story, that they pointed out the
very spot which had been the scene of action, and conferred upon
it the name of the Palaestra of Cercyon. Most of the labours of
Hercules are paralleled by the exploits of Theseus ; and the re-
presentations of both were favourite subjects on which artists
delighted to exercise their art; partly because such actions were
well adapted to exhibit their skill in the display of the human
figure under every variety of movement; and partly because the
histories of these personages were intimately interwoven with the
mythology of the country, and deeply interesting to the feelings
of the people. So similar are many of the contests in which
they were engaged, that it is extremely difficult at all times to
ascertain to which of the two the scene ought to be ascribed.
PLATE XXI.
[Height 2 f. 9^ in. Length 2 f. 6 in. each. Old Nos. A 53. and A 54.
New Nos. 15G, 157.]
In this plate are represented two other metopes of the
temple of Theseus. On the first are two persons wrestling; Cer-
cyon, an Arcadian, was said to be the son of Vulcan and to have
resided at Eleusis, where, being extremely expert in the art of
wrestling, and having invented a new mode of practising that
athletic exercise, he challenged all travellers to engage with him,
and put to death all those whom he defeated. Theseus, having
been instructed in this art by Minerva, challenged Cercyon, and
having overpowered him, killed him in the contest. The mode
and circumstances of the encounter are not recorded, but, from
this representation and from another upon a vase in the Museum
collection, we may perceive what was the traditional account
amongst the Athenian people, who professed to be so well con-
vinced of the authenticity of the story, that they pointed out the
very spot which had been the scene of action, and conferred upon
it the name of the Palaestra of Cercyon. Most of the labours of
Hercules are paralleled by the exploits of Theseus ; and the re-
presentations of both were favourite subjects on which artists
delighted to exercise their art; partly because such actions were
well adapted to exhibit their skill in the display of the human
figure under every variety of movement; and partly because the
histories of these personages were intimately interwoven with the
mythology of the country, and deeply interesting to the feelings
of the people. So similar are many of the contests in which
they were engaged, that it is extremely difficult at all times to
ascertain to which of the two the scene ought to be ascribed.