DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5309#0183
CUPID.
This beautiful intaglio represents Cupid destroying the faculties of the soul, expressed
by the aurelia or butterfly as usual. Salmasius7 has, with much erudition, observed
that the words anima in Latin and psyche in Greek, become peculiar to that kind of
butterfly which constantly flies heavily about the light. Cupid is furnished with a
bow and arrow, adapted to this little sport, but much smaller than usual. The expres-
sion of the figure is inimitable : he is standing on his toes, his countenance is fixed
in anxious attention, and his hand is in motion to surprise the tender insect that
approaches ; another butterfly has fallen down at his feet in consequence of a similar
stroke, and the weapons he holds in his left hand are reserved to wound the fugitives.
GENIUS OF THE PALAESTRA.
Tins curious gem was found near Smyrna in the year 1785, in the antique gold
setting, and had been worn as an ear-ring. It is well engraved on an oriental garnet,
of an oval form, and represents the Genius of the Palaestra before an Hernia of Mer-
cury, the inventor of the Gymnastic Games.8 The cock is sacred to Mercury ; and,
from being fond of fighting, is a proper symbol of the Athletes. A plane-tree appears
*** the back ground ; they were commonly planted in the places resorted to in the
Gymnastic exercises. The Palaestra of Sparta took the name of Platanistas from the
plane trees that surrounded it ; and in the Academy where the Athenian youths exer-
cised, there were very large plane-trees, which were cut down in the war with Sylla.
117
This beautiful intaglio represents Cupid destroying the faculties of the soul, expressed
by the aurelia or butterfly as usual. Salmasius7 has, with much erudition, observed
that the words anima in Latin and psyche in Greek, become peculiar to that kind of
butterfly which constantly flies heavily about the light. Cupid is furnished with a
bow and arrow, adapted to this little sport, but much smaller than usual. The expres-
sion of the figure is inimitable : he is standing on his toes, his countenance is fixed
in anxious attention, and his hand is in motion to surprise the tender insect that
approaches ; another butterfly has fallen down at his feet in consequence of a similar
stroke, and the weapons he holds in his left hand are reserved to wound the fugitives.
GENIUS OF THE PALAESTRA.
Tins curious gem was found near Smyrna in the year 1785, in the antique gold
setting, and had been worn as an ear-ring. It is well engraved on an oriental garnet,
of an oval form, and represents the Genius of the Palaestra before an Hernia of Mer-
cury, the inventor of the Gymnastic Games.8 The cock is sacred to Mercury ; and,
from being fond of fighting, is a proper symbol of the Athletes. A plane-tree appears
*** the back ground ; they were commonly planted in the places resorted to in the
Gymnastic exercises. The Palaestra of Sparta took the name of Platanistas from the
plane trees that surrounded it ; and in the Academy where the Athenian youths exer-
cised, there were very large plane-trees, which were cut down in the war with Sylla.
117