DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15100#0151
97
Achilles to deliver to him the dead body of his son Hector. This
interview which took place in the tent of Achilles is described in
the last book of the Iliad.2 The person who stands as guard near
the throne of Achilles is either Automedon or Alcimus, who are
both stated by Homer to have attended upon Achilles at this par-
ticular time. The suppliant Priam is here represented at his
first entry into the tent, and at the moment which preceded his
falling upon his knees to kiss the hands which had been so fre-
quently stained with the blood of his children.3 This bas relief
is probably part of a cinerary urn, which perhaps originally con-
tained a much greater number of figures. The attendants of Priam
who were laden with the gifts presented to Achilles 4 probably
composed some part of the group which is now lost. The subject
of this bas relief was often repeated by the ancients. We find it
on the sarcophagus erroneously supposed to be that which con-
tained the ashes of Alexander Severus, and which is engraved in
the Museum Capitolinum.5 The same subject also occurs on a
sepulchral bas relief in the collection of the Villa Borghese, and
which is engraved in the Monumenti Inediti of Winckelmann.6
Height 8 in. Length 1 ft. 9^ in,
No. 3. A fragment of a right foot, of fine workmanship; about
six inches wide.
No. 4. A fragment of a colossal hand, nearly six inches across
the knuckles, of very fine workmanship; it belongs to the left arm.
The veins are distinctly marked, and the fingers are bent inwards,
2 Horn. TL Q. L 471-571. s ii. Q. i, 478. 4 IL £2. L 555.
5 iv. tab. 4.
6 Opere, v. p. 210, lav. 137, see the description of a paste, ibid. viii. p. 425, no.
271; the same subject is introduced in the scenes of the Trojan war on the bas relief
Mus.Cap.iv.tab.6S,and on a silver vase, Mem. des Antiq. de Normandie,1831-3, p.141.
Achilles to deliver to him the dead body of his son Hector. This
interview which took place in the tent of Achilles is described in
the last book of the Iliad.2 The person who stands as guard near
the throne of Achilles is either Automedon or Alcimus, who are
both stated by Homer to have attended upon Achilles at this par-
ticular time. The suppliant Priam is here represented at his
first entry into the tent, and at the moment which preceded his
falling upon his knees to kiss the hands which had been so fre-
quently stained with the blood of his children.3 This bas relief
is probably part of a cinerary urn, which perhaps originally con-
tained a much greater number of figures. The attendants of Priam
who were laden with the gifts presented to Achilles 4 probably
composed some part of the group which is now lost. The subject
of this bas relief was often repeated by the ancients. We find it
on the sarcophagus erroneously supposed to be that which con-
tained the ashes of Alexander Severus, and which is engraved in
the Museum Capitolinum.5 The same subject also occurs on a
sepulchral bas relief in the collection of the Villa Borghese, and
which is engraved in the Monumenti Inediti of Winckelmann.6
Height 8 in. Length 1 ft. 9^ in,
No. 3. A fragment of a right foot, of fine workmanship; about
six inches wide.
No. 4. A fragment of a colossal hand, nearly six inches across
the knuckles, of very fine workmanship; it belongs to the left arm.
The veins are distinctly marked, and the fingers are bent inwards,
2 Horn. TL Q. L 471-571. s ii. Q. i, 478. 4 IL £2. L 555.
5 iv. tab. 4.
6 Opere, v. p. 210, lav. 137, see the description of a paste, ibid. viii. p. 425, no.
271; the same subject is introduced in the scenes of the Trojan war on the bas relief
Mus.Cap.iv.tab.6S,and on a silver vase, Mem. des Antiq. de Normandie,1831-3, p.141.