DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.47071#0048
44
POET AND ARTIST IN GREECE
from Circe’s magic shows her either standing or seated,
and holding her cup. Odysseus approaches and threatens
her with drawn sword. In this scene one or more of the
companions are present in their transformed shape of
beasts - not always swine, as in Homer.
Upon the advice of Circe, Odysseus proceeded next to
visit the land of the dead, in order to consult the shade
of the seer Tiresias about his further voyage. This inter-
view is not only found on a fine South Italian vase, but
was also represented in the famous fresco of Polygnotus
in the Lesche at Delphi. This last was an elaborate
composition, and included references to many other
myths as to the realm of Hades and its occupants. Many
of these are also included in the account in the Odyssey ;
but they mostly are merely alluded to rather then nar-
rated ; some such as the sack of Troy and the murder
of Agamemnon on his return must be considered later,
in connection with other poems of the epic cycle and with
lyric and dramatic poetry. The chief scene, the interview
with Tiresias, is represented on the vase already men-
tioned in a manner closely resembling the version given
in the Odyssey. Odysseus is represented seated over a
pit containing the body of a sacrificed ram, and holding a
drawn sword to keep off the other ghosts until Tiresias
has given his message ; and at the corner of the pit is the
head of Tiresias, with white hair, just emerging from the
ground. On each side of Odysseus stands a companion,
one of them holding a drawn sword over his back, evi-
dently to keep off the spirits of the dead.
On his return to the island of Circe, Odysseus received
from her instructions as to the dangers he should escape
or avoid on his further journey. The first of these was the
island of the Sirens ; in the Odyssey the advice given by
Circe is followed closely ; Odysseus placed wax in the
POET AND ARTIST IN GREECE
from Circe’s magic shows her either standing or seated,
and holding her cup. Odysseus approaches and threatens
her with drawn sword. In this scene one or more of the
companions are present in their transformed shape of
beasts - not always swine, as in Homer.
Upon the advice of Circe, Odysseus proceeded next to
visit the land of the dead, in order to consult the shade
of the seer Tiresias about his further voyage. This inter-
view is not only found on a fine South Italian vase, but
was also represented in the famous fresco of Polygnotus
in the Lesche at Delphi. This last was an elaborate
composition, and included references to many other
myths as to the realm of Hades and its occupants. Many
of these are also included in the account in the Odyssey ;
but they mostly are merely alluded to rather then nar-
rated ; some such as the sack of Troy and the murder
of Agamemnon on his return must be considered later,
in connection with other poems of the epic cycle and with
lyric and dramatic poetry. The chief scene, the interview
with Tiresias, is represented on the vase already men-
tioned in a manner closely resembling the version given
in the Odyssey. Odysseus is represented seated over a
pit containing the body of a sacrificed ram, and holding a
drawn sword to keep off the other ghosts until Tiresias
has given his message ; and at the corner of the pit is the
head of Tiresias, with white hair, just emerging from the
ground. On each side of Odysseus stands a companion,
one of them holding a drawn sword over his back, evi-
dently to keep off the spirits of the dead.
On his return to the island of Circe, Odysseus received
from her instructions as to the dangers he should escape
or avoid on his further journey. The first of these was the
island of the Sirens ; in the Odyssey the advice given by
Circe is followed closely ; Odysseus placed wax in the