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THE THEATRE FRIEZE, DELPHI

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    • Relief panel from the proscenium of the theatre at Delphi illustrating scenes from the mythology of Hercules

      Hercules, Cerberus, Nemean Lion. © S.P. Kershaw

    • Relief panel from the proscenium of the theatre at Delphi illustrating scenes from the mythology of Hercules

      Hercules, Geryon, Mares of Diomedes. © S.P. Kershaw

    • Relief panel from the proscenium of the theatre at Delphi illustrating scenes from the mythology of Hercules

      Hercules; Centaur; Hydra; Antaeus. © S.P. Kershaw

These panels decorated the proscenium of the theatre at Delphi. They illustrate scenes from the mythology of Hercules (Cerberus; Nemean Lion; Centaur; Hydra; Antaeus; Geryon, Mares of Diomedes, etc.). The tall, spare figures are quite typical of classicist provincial art of the 1st century CE. The choice of theme may have some symbolic significance associated with honours granted to Nero as a demi-god hero by the priests of the sanctuary on his visit to Delphi. Delphi Archaeological Museum.

Photos © S.P. Kershaw

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Date created: 
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Attribution for this resource:
THE THEATRE FRIEZE, DELPHI, © Steve Kershaw, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA.