DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18218#0321
SARCOPHAGI : HERACLES.
307
On the front of the sarcophagus are the following
labours of Heracles. On the left is the bringing away of
Cerberus from Hades, the entrance to which is indicated
by an overhanging rock. In a recess in this rock is
crouching a diminutive figure, perhaps one of the shades
(Matz, Annali dell' Inst., 1868, p. 262), perhaps the warder
of Hell (Robert, p. 141), looking towards Heracles, who
looks back as he moves to the right, dragging Cerberus,
who is half emerged from the cave, by a chain. His left
hand grasps the club ; the lion's skin hangs from his left
arm. The next group represents Heracles planting his
foot on the body of the slain Hippolyte, and despoiling
her of her girdle, the end of which he grasps with his
right hand. She lies prostrate, but still holds her shield.
Heracles has the lion's skin twisted round his left arm.
The central group represents Heracles carrying off the
golden apples from the garden of Hesperus. In the middle
is the tree with four apples. Eound its trunk is coiled a
large snake. Heracles stands on the right, with his back
to the spectator, looking towards the tree. Both his arms
are broken off below the shoulder. The right hand
remains, resting on the top of his club; the left arm was
protected by the lion's skin. On the left are the three
daughters of Hesperus. Two are represented in low
relief in the background, nearly concealed by the third
Hesperid, who moves to the left, looking at Heracles, her
right hand raised in an attitude of alarm.
Next is Heracles subduing the wild horses of Diomede,
king of Thrace. He stands in an attitude similar to that
of one of the colossal figures on the Monte Cavallo at
Eome, with his right leg advanced, and the left leg-
extended. He is placed between two of the horses, which
are springing away from him in opposite directions. He
looks round to the right, about to strike the horse on that
side with his club, which is raised behind his head. His
307
On the front of the sarcophagus are the following
labours of Heracles. On the left is the bringing away of
Cerberus from Hades, the entrance to which is indicated
by an overhanging rock. In a recess in this rock is
crouching a diminutive figure, perhaps one of the shades
(Matz, Annali dell' Inst., 1868, p. 262), perhaps the warder
of Hell (Robert, p. 141), looking towards Heracles, who
looks back as he moves to the right, dragging Cerberus,
who is half emerged from the cave, by a chain. His left
hand grasps the club ; the lion's skin hangs from his left
arm. The next group represents Heracles planting his
foot on the body of the slain Hippolyte, and despoiling
her of her girdle, the end of which he grasps with his
right hand. She lies prostrate, but still holds her shield.
Heracles has the lion's skin twisted round his left arm.
The central group represents Heracles carrying off the
golden apples from the garden of Hesperus. In the middle
is the tree with four apples. Eound its trunk is coiled a
large snake. Heracles stands on the right, with his back
to the spectator, looking towards the tree. Both his arms
are broken off below the shoulder. The right hand
remains, resting on the top of his club; the left arm was
protected by the lion's skin. On the left are the three
daughters of Hesperus. Two are represented in low
relief in the background, nearly concealed by the third
Hesperid, who moves to the left, looking at Heracles, her
right hand raised in an attitude of alarm.
Next is Heracles subduing the wild horses of Diomede,
king of Thrace. He stands in an attitude similar to that
of one of the colossal figures on the Monte Cavallo at
Eome, with his right leg advanced, and the left leg-
extended. He is placed between two of the horses, which
are springing away from him in opposite directions. He
looks round to the right, about to strike the horse on that
side with his club, which is raised behind his head. His