Cook, Arthur B.: Zeus: a study in ancient religion (Band 1): Zeus god of the bright sky (Cambridge, 1914)

Kleobis and Biton

449

considered a copy of this relief1. An ancient glass-paste, however,
also at Berlin (fig. 316)2, differs from it in several points. The
eighteenth column of the temple erected at Kyzikos to Apollonis,
wife of Attalos i and mother of four sons distinguished for their
filial affection3, was adorned with reliefs of Kleobis and Biton4;
but how the subject was treated we do not know. The only repre-
sentation of importance that has survived to modern times is
carved on a sarcophagus in the library of S. Marco at Venice
(fig. 317)5. The scene, enclosed by a grove of oak-trees, falls into
four divisions. On the left Kydippe, erect in her car, is apparently
drawn by two diminutive oxen, while Kleobis and Biton grasp the
pole. The moment depicted is that of their arrival at the Heraion,
as is clear from the rising rocky ground and the position of the

Fig- 317-

human and animal figures. In the centre stands the temple with
four Corinthian columns spirally fluted: the pediment is decorated
with a basket of fruit and a couple of snakes. Before the temple
Kydippe raises two torches in an attitude of prayer. In front of
her, face downwards on the ground, lie the two boys asleep, if not
already dead. The third division represents a goddess, probably
Selene, whose two-horse chariot is escorted, not as usual by Hesperos
or the Dioskouroi, but by Kleobis and Biton. This implies that
the Argive Hera was conceived by the artist of the sarcophagus as
a moon-goddess, who took with her through the midnight sky the

1 Imhoof-Blumer and P. Gardner Num. Comm. Pans. i. 37 pi. K, 34, Frazer
Pausanias iii. 193 fig. 32, Head Hist, num.2 p. 440.

2 Arch. Zeit. 1869 xxvii. 98 pi. 23, 9.

3 Polyb. 22. 20. 1 ff.

4 Anth. Pal. 3. 18.

5 H. Dlitschke ' Kleobis und Biton ' in the Arch.-ep. Mitth. 1883 vii. 15.3—167 pi. 2.
C. 29