DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7897#0098
( 8o )
PLATE XXXII (i).
When Troy was taken by the combined forces of the Greeks, Menelaus and
Helen were reconciled; and after along and tedious navigation of seven years,
returned to Sparta, where they lived together in great union and happiness.
Such is the most ancient tradition recorded by Homer (2), who describes the
hospitable manner in which they received Telemachus on his visit to Sparta.
According to some authors (3), Helen was delivered by the Grecian chiefs
to Menelaus, in order to be punished with death; but, unable to resist the
power of her charms, he feels his ancient passion revive, and forgets her past
misconduct. Others suppose, that Menelaus finding Helen concealed (4),
wanted to kill her, but Venus interfered and saved her life. Accordingly,
on the chest of Cypselus (5), Menelaus was represented pursuing Helen, and
the sword falling from his hand. (6).
The subject of the painting before us relates to this story, and offers the
moment when Menelaus, who has regained possession of Helen, is leading her
away to the fleet. The sentiments expressed are suited to the situations. The
looks of Menelaus are fixed on the ground, and his expression is that of sullen
silence and of irresolution between conflicting passions. Helen with downcast
eyes, appears in deep (7) affliction and anxious concerning her fate.
Menelaus, whose name (MENEAE02) in the Ionic form, is written near
him, is dressed in a large mantle : his head is covered with a helmet, and
he holds a spear. The costume of Helen is a striped tunic and a deep veil
(Ka^'JiTTpa) (8), which covering her head, reaches nearly to the ground.
Fair hair, considered by the ancients as one of the chief characteristics of
beauty, is attributed to both personages. Probably, the artist had particularly
in view the epithet of fair (9), so often given by Homer to the Spartan king.
(1) From a vase in the collection of Che-
valier Barthokly, at Rome. It was found at
Armento, in the province of Basilicata.
(2) Odyss. A. vers, 120, seqq.
(3) Euripides Troades, vers. 8g4-
(4) Quintus Smyrnams, lib. xm, vers. 385.
(5) Pausan. lib. v, cap. 18.
(6) This subject is represented on several
fictile vases, Tischbein, torn, iv, plate 54-
Tou'vey UTTOTpotxEouca cpiXw wpiiraX^eTo 6ui/.0,
Kat pa xaXu^ajjisv/i xsyaV^v s^uirepGe xa>'J7:Tpv)
Ec—e-ro viG<70[j.Evoi& xar' lyviov aviJpo; toio.
Quint. Smyrn. xiv, vers. 44? 46-
For their reconciliation, see vers. 155, seqq.
(8) See the preceding note.
(9) EavGo; MeveXao?, Iliad. T. 228, et passim.
(7)
PLATE XXXII (i).
When Troy was taken by the combined forces of the Greeks, Menelaus and
Helen were reconciled; and after along and tedious navigation of seven years,
returned to Sparta, where they lived together in great union and happiness.
Such is the most ancient tradition recorded by Homer (2), who describes the
hospitable manner in which they received Telemachus on his visit to Sparta.
According to some authors (3), Helen was delivered by the Grecian chiefs
to Menelaus, in order to be punished with death; but, unable to resist the
power of her charms, he feels his ancient passion revive, and forgets her past
misconduct. Others suppose, that Menelaus finding Helen concealed (4),
wanted to kill her, but Venus interfered and saved her life. Accordingly,
on the chest of Cypselus (5), Menelaus was represented pursuing Helen, and
the sword falling from his hand. (6).
The subject of the painting before us relates to this story, and offers the
moment when Menelaus, who has regained possession of Helen, is leading her
away to the fleet. The sentiments expressed are suited to the situations. The
looks of Menelaus are fixed on the ground, and his expression is that of sullen
silence and of irresolution between conflicting passions. Helen with downcast
eyes, appears in deep (7) affliction and anxious concerning her fate.
Menelaus, whose name (MENEAE02) in the Ionic form, is written near
him, is dressed in a large mantle : his head is covered with a helmet, and
he holds a spear. The costume of Helen is a striped tunic and a deep veil
(Ka^'JiTTpa) (8), which covering her head, reaches nearly to the ground.
Fair hair, considered by the ancients as one of the chief characteristics of
beauty, is attributed to both personages. Probably, the artist had particularly
in view the epithet of fair (9), so often given by Homer to the Spartan king.
(1) From a vase in the collection of Che-
valier Barthokly, at Rome. It was found at
Armento, in the province of Basilicata.
(2) Odyss. A. vers, 120, seqq.
(3) Euripides Troades, vers. 8g4-
(4) Quintus Smyrnams, lib. xm, vers. 385.
(5) Pausan. lib. v, cap. 18.
(6) This subject is represented on several
fictile vases, Tischbein, torn, iv, plate 54-
Tou'vey UTTOTpotxEouca cpiXw wpiiraX^eTo 6ui/.0,
Kat pa xaXu^ajjisv/i xsyaV^v s^uirepGe xa>'J7:Tpv)
Ec—e-ro viG<70[j.Evoi& xar' lyviov aviJpo; toio.
Quint. Smyrn. xiv, vers. 44? 46-
For their reconciliation, see vers. 155, seqq.
(8) See the preceding note.
(9) EavGo; MeveXao?, Iliad. T. 228, et passim.
(7)