DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7897#0045
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(*7)
coins of Arcadia and Messana(i8). It is difficult to account for the presence
of these personages: they may have been introduced as the local divinities of
the cavern and gulph where the nuptials took place, or the artist may have
followed some epic or dramatic poem, unknown to us. The composition is
terminated on this side by Venus, Peitho (19), or the goddess of persuasion,
and Love, who holds an apple. In the description of Coluthus(2o) these divi-
nities honoured with their presence the nuptial ceremony.
The examination of these several compositions, naturally calls the attention
to a celebrated work of art, the Barberini or Portland vase. Various contra-
dictory explanations (21) have been advanced: but those writers, whose opi-
nions deserve most attention, concur in supposing it relates to the marriage
of Thetis and Peleus. The recumbent female figure on the principal side of
the vase, is Thetis, who is represented giving her hand to Peleus and con-
senting to the marriage. The serpent (22), emblem of her transformations
and which she holds in her left hand, is of the marine species alluding to the
marine origin of Thetis. In the several compositions which have been noticed,
the same kind of serpent is always represented near Thetis, and may there-
fore be considered as her distinguishing attribute (23). This circumstance, not
observed before, removes all doubt with respect to the subject; and, all the
other particulars expressed, combine perfectly with this explanation. The
(18) Pellerin, Peuples et Villes. Tab. xxi,
Jig. 3. Eckhell. Syllog. i,pl. 4-
(19) On a bas-relief of the Museum at Na-
ples , where Venus is represented engaging
Helen to receive favourably the addresses of
Paris, she is accompanied by Peitho and Love.
Winckelmann , Monum. Ined. page
Venus and Peitho were venerated in com-
mon at Athens. Pausan. Attica, cap. 22.
(20) Coluthus, describing the nuptials of
Thetis and Peleus , says :
0i>£' auT/) f3acDv£[a xai Apy.ovivi; A<ppo<^i'T7i
iipyG;./.evY] &r!9uvEV alcea Ksvraupoio
Kat ce'jpo; aajafcaca yajj.vp.iov vjX'jOe IleiSu
To^euTvjpo; EpwTG; eXa<pp£G&ti<7a oapExpviv.
Rapt. Hel. vers. 26 - 29.
Thetis, 011 her marriage, received from
Venus a crown enriched with precious stones.
This crown, given by Thetis to Theseus, and
by him to Ariadne, was placed amongst the
constellations. Hygin. Poet. Astron. V.
(21) Winckelmann, Storia dell' Arti; torn.
11,page 4o4- Visconti, Museo Pio Clem. torn.
vi, page 71. Zoega Bassirihevi Ant. lorn. 1,
page 249.
(22) See Plate A, n° 1. On the chest of Cyp-
selus, Thetis was represented in a similar man-
ner, darting a serpent at Peleus. Pausan. lib.
v, cap. 18.
(23) A marine monster of this kind is often
seen near Neptune, on ancient works of art.
Zoega, torn. 11, pi. 55.
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coins of Arcadia and Messana(i8). It is difficult to account for the presence
of these personages: they may have been introduced as the local divinities of
the cavern and gulph where the nuptials took place, or the artist may have
followed some epic or dramatic poem, unknown to us. The composition is
terminated on this side by Venus, Peitho (19), or the goddess of persuasion,
and Love, who holds an apple. In the description of Coluthus(2o) these divi-
nities honoured with their presence the nuptial ceremony.
The examination of these several compositions, naturally calls the attention
to a celebrated work of art, the Barberini or Portland vase. Various contra-
dictory explanations (21) have been advanced: but those writers, whose opi-
nions deserve most attention, concur in supposing it relates to the marriage
of Thetis and Peleus. The recumbent female figure on the principal side of
the vase, is Thetis, who is represented giving her hand to Peleus and con-
senting to the marriage. The serpent (22), emblem of her transformations
and which she holds in her left hand, is of the marine species alluding to the
marine origin of Thetis. In the several compositions which have been noticed,
the same kind of serpent is always represented near Thetis, and may there-
fore be considered as her distinguishing attribute (23). This circumstance, not
observed before, removes all doubt with respect to the subject; and, all the
other particulars expressed, combine perfectly with this explanation. The
(18) Pellerin, Peuples et Villes. Tab. xxi,
Jig. 3. Eckhell. Syllog. i,pl. 4-
(19) On a bas-relief of the Museum at Na-
ples , where Venus is represented engaging
Helen to receive favourably the addresses of
Paris, she is accompanied by Peitho and Love.
Winckelmann , Monum. Ined. page
Venus and Peitho were venerated in com-
mon at Athens. Pausan. Attica, cap. 22.
(20) Coluthus, describing the nuptials of
Thetis and Peleus , says :
0i>£' auT/) f3acDv£[a xai Apy.ovivi; A<ppo<^i'T7i
iipyG;./.evY] &r!9uvEV alcea Ksvraupoio
Kat ce'jpo; aajafcaca yajj.vp.iov vjX'jOe IleiSu
To^euTvjpo; EpwTG; eXa<pp£G&ti<7a oapExpviv.
Rapt. Hel. vers. 26 - 29.
Thetis, 011 her marriage, received from
Venus a crown enriched with precious stones.
This crown, given by Thetis to Theseus, and
by him to Ariadne, was placed amongst the
constellations. Hygin. Poet. Astron. V.
(21) Winckelmann, Storia dell' Arti; torn.
11,page 4o4- Visconti, Museo Pio Clem. torn.
vi, page 71. Zoega Bassirihevi Ant. lorn. 1,
page 249.
(22) See Plate A, n° 1. On the chest of Cyp-
selus, Thetis was represented in a similar man-
ner, darting a serpent at Peleus. Pausan. lib.
v, cap. 18.
(23) A marine monster of this kind is often
seen near Neptune, on ancient works of art.
Zoega, torn. 11, pi. 55.