Gardner, Ernest Arthur: Poet and artist in Greece (London: Duckworth, 1933)

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POET AND ARTIST IN GREECE

the temple of Hera at Platsea the scene of the slaying of
the suitors by Odysseus. The temple at Platsea was built
from the spoils of the battle, fought in 479 B.c. The date
of the vase, from its style, is not inconsistent with this
derivation. The reliefs are probably somewhat later in
date, and may well be derived from another painting of
the subject by Polygnotus or his pupils. In one respect
the relief adheres more closely than the vase to the version
in the Odyssey ; for on it Odysseus is supported and
protected by Telemachus ; on the vase Odysseus faces
the suitors alone, and behind him stand two of the un-
faithful hand-maids in attitudes of despair or dejection,
thus foreshadowing the terrible vengeance which Odysseus
was to inflict on them after he had slain the suitors - a
sequel which in the relief is reserved for a separate panel.
The representation on the vase seems strange at first, when
we remember the description in the Odyssey of how all
the hand-maidens were shut away in their quarters before
the slaying began ; but it is quite in accordance with the
vase-painter’s tradition to hint, at least, at more of the
story than can be actually included in the one scene.