DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7897#0058
( 4o )
PLATE XV. *
This Vase (i), which was discovered in the vicinity of Athens, is entitled
to peculiar attention, as it is prohably a production of the celebrated pot-
teries of that city. It is likewise remarkable for the subject, which is hither-
to unedited.
Phineus, king of Thrace (i), having incurred the anger of the Gods,
was deprived of sight, and condemned to suffer the horrors of continual
famine. To this effect, the Harpies were sent to hover round him, and to
seize all the food that was offered to him.
According to the decrees of fate, the Argonauts alone could deliver him
from this punishment. In consequence, on their arrival at Salmydessus (3),
Phineus went immediately to meet them, and implore their assistance.
They were touched with his sufferings, and the sons of Boreas, Zetes and
Calais, who had wings like their father, attacked and drove away the
Harpies.
This story, which belonged to the Attic as well as the Argonautic fables, was
a subject often treated by the early poets and artists. It is related by Hesiod (4),
and was represented on the chest of Cypselus (5), and on the throne of
Bathycles (6), two of the most celebrated productions of the infancy of
art. Phineus was also the subject of dramatic compositions by iEschylus
and Sophocles.
As this painting is the only monument yet discovered that offers a repre-
sentation of the Harpies, it is requisite to premise some observations re-
specting them.
The Harpies were personifications of violent storms and whirlwinds, of
the same kind as the Egyptian Typhou. They are mentioned several times
by Homer (7), who considered them as ministers of divine vengeance, like
(1) In the collection of Sandford Graham,
Esq. M. P., by whom it was brought from
Greece. The clay is of the finest quality, and
the varnish similar to that of the Nolan vases.
(2) Apollodorus. lib. 1. cap. ix. 21 ; et lib.
in. cap. xv. 4- Apollon. Rhod. lib. 11. vers. 178.
Hvgin. fab. 19.
(3) Apollon. Rhod. lib. ir. vers. 202.
(4) Strabo. lib. vn. pag. 463. Schol. ad
Apollon. Rhod. lib. 11. vers. 181 et 297.
(5) Pausanias. lib. v. cap. 17.
(6) Pausanias. lib. hi. cap. 18.
(7) Odyss. A. 241. 2- 371. Y- 77.
Heyne has committed an oversight in as-
serting that Homer gives to the Harpies the
appellation of Koupai- (Odyss. Y. vers. 77). In
*
PLATE XV. *
This Vase (i), which was discovered in the vicinity of Athens, is entitled
to peculiar attention, as it is prohably a production of the celebrated pot-
teries of that city. It is likewise remarkable for the subject, which is hither-
to unedited.
Phineus, king of Thrace (i), having incurred the anger of the Gods,
was deprived of sight, and condemned to suffer the horrors of continual
famine. To this effect, the Harpies were sent to hover round him, and to
seize all the food that was offered to him.
According to the decrees of fate, the Argonauts alone could deliver him
from this punishment. In consequence, on their arrival at Salmydessus (3),
Phineus went immediately to meet them, and implore their assistance.
They were touched with his sufferings, and the sons of Boreas, Zetes and
Calais, who had wings like their father, attacked and drove away the
Harpies.
This story, which belonged to the Attic as well as the Argonautic fables, was
a subject often treated by the early poets and artists. It is related by Hesiod (4),
and was represented on the chest of Cypselus (5), and on the throne of
Bathycles (6), two of the most celebrated productions of the infancy of
art. Phineus was also the subject of dramatic compositions by iEschylus
and Sophocles.
As this painting is the only monument yet discovered that offers a repre-
sentation of the Harpies, it is requisite to premise some observations re-
specting them.
The Harpies were personifications of violent storms and whirlwinds, of
the same kind as the Egyptian Typhou. They are mentioned several times
by Homer (7), who considered them as ministers of divine vengeance, like
(1) In the collection of Sandford Graham,
Esq. M. P., by whom it was brought from
Greece. The clay is of the finest quality, and
the varnish similar to that of the Nolan vases.
(2) Apollodorus. lib. 1. cap. ix. 21 ; et lib.
in. cap. xv. 4- Apollon. Rhod. lib. 11. vers. 178.
Hvgin. fab. 19.
(3) Apollon. Rhod. lib. ir. vers. 202.
(4) Strabo. lib. vn. pag. 463. Schol. ad
Apollon. Rhod. lib. 11. vers. 181 et 297.
(5) Pausanias. lib. v. cap. 17.
(6) Pausanias. lib. hi. cap. 18.
(7) Odyss. A. 241. 2- 371. Y- 77.
Heyne has committed an oversight in as-
serting that Homer gives to the Harpies the
appellation of Koupai- (Odyss. Y. vers. 77). In
*