#petassos hat

[katerinaaqu]

The Assosiation of Odysseus with the Ram (an Odyssey and Iliad Analysis on Odysseus and Hermes)

Is there no one gonna talk on the fact that Odysseus escapes Polyphemus under a ram? A RAM! The ram is one of the sacred animals of HERMES! Also the association of Odysseus with the ram seems to be blatant and I am surprised no one talks of it! Hermes! The god that is his lineage and also arguably the one that helped him without conditions in his trip...is always there!

Hermes is also called Κριοφορος (Kriophoros)= ram-bearer, due to myths that involve him carry a ram around his back

Also in ancient art, Hermes is also depicted riding a ram!

Odysseus escapes Polyphemus and certain death UNDER a ram, when Hermes, the sender of souls to the underworld is depicted ON a ram! What is more the ram as black of color, a color associated to death and mourning as well as Hermes is associated with death!

Hermes is mentioned as "bearer of rams" and yet a lamb now bears Odysseus under it out of the cave!

Of course the most infamous association of Odysseus with a ram is that he is also compared to one! Infamously in the Iliad:

Secondly, the old man upon seeing Odysseus he asked: "Tell me now, dear child, who is that one. He is a head shorter than Agamemnon the son of Atreus but he seems to me wider in his shoulders and his chest, his arms he has them placed upon the well-graised earth. He seems to me like a thick-haired ram the way he prances through the lines of men as if they are a flock of white lambs"

(Translation by me)

Not only does Homer give us a very good physical description of Odysseus in the most beautiful way (ram= thick of hair, possibly curly and wholly -as also described in the Odyssey- possibly hairy of body as well also walking proud and steadily) as well as in a way his demeanour (the word "ram" κτίλος also means "calm" or "demured") but it also seems very interesting how he is associated with an animal known to be sacred to Hermes!

Hermes according to many myths was the father of his grandfather, Autolycus, therefore Odysseus's grea-grandfather! From line one he is associated with an animal that is also associated with his lineage (to me it seems that Homer more or less from line one shows us that this is the family line he follows for Odysseus)

Then a ram is his salvation out of the cave of Polyphemus; a ram that is associated with a god that is said to send souls to the dead also saves his life!

In Aeaea Hermes appears to assist him by giving him Moly and instructions on his trip. Hermes is there all by himself. Other gods have either abandoned him because of his hubris or were not interested in him. Hermes is there to bring assistance on his own accord. (Hermes is also a rule-breaker, just like Odysseus is not the classical figure of a hero and uses methods that are often seen as shady for the ideal warrior)

In the Underworld Odysseus once again has to sacrifice a ram, a BLACK ram and wait for Tiresias to drink from its blood.

A ram is also part of the sacrifice he has to offer to Poseidon (ram, bull and boar).

Hermes comes to bring the message to Ogygia and release Odysseus from it

Odysseus seems to be completely associated with the ram and it is more than just a coicidence to me. Arguably Odysseus who was described as a ram, travels in the Underworld, like Hermes travels to the underworld to bring the souls of the dead! This doesn't seem like a coicidence in my eyes.

Homer seems to be totally insinuating that the ram and consequently Hermes are part of his inheritence. Even the fact that Hermes is often seen as a trickster and a rule-breaker seems to be connected to Odysseus and his behavior or demeanour.

Hermes is also associated as protector of travelers and wanderers and this is exactly what Odysseus is in the Odyssey! Moreover Odysseus and Hermes are associated with the iconography of the hat called petasos:

(Odysseus and Hermes)

Also both associated with this double-stafff iconographically, which is a symbol of a messenger! Odysseus often acts like a messenger or as a comittee or as a negotiator! I also daresay that he is also depicted pulling Briseis from the hand, the movement is associated with Hermes as he leads souls in the underworld!

And most importantly; Hermes's epithets among other are Δόλιος (Dolios)=Wily, Deceiving, Planning

And.....

Πολύτροπος (Polytropos)= Of many ways, of many turns

THEY LITERALLY SHARE THE SAME EPITHET!!!!!!!!

Seriously guys his association with a ram is not a coincidence! The dude is practically the perfect combo of Hermes and Athena!! The Ram is Hermes!!!!!

Get mindblown as I am now!

[katerinaaqu]

Okay then! So I believe you requested Ajax, Patroclus Odysseus and Telemachus right? So apart from the depictions you have above here are some extras (of course bare in mind that the styles reflect the time periods of the painters and not the Mycenaean times as you know of course):

Patroclus:

Of course one of the most famous scenes involving Patroclus is the depiction from an Attic Kylyx that was made by some man named Sosias (we do not know the painter):

What I love about this scene is not just the tenderness between the two men (Patroclus seems to be obviously in pain judging from the tension of his foot and yet Achilles is carefully binding his wound. I also love how the white color is rescued from the bandage -ideas for a scar on his forearm, perhaps? ^_^). Patroclus's features look really beautiful like this and his age is also toned up given that he has a beard while Achilles doesn't and the details to their armor are just insane! Interestingly Patroclus seems to have a bow and a quiver with him and an arrow to his feet as well.

I think this Lekythos (perfume/oil bottle) that is attributed to Eretria Painter has one of the few scenes I know from the Iliad that includes Patroclus on the bed, dead and Achilles mourning by his side!

The calmness on Patroclus's face andthe arrangement of the hair under a band is just...UGH! He almost looks like he is sleeping! TT-TT. For some reason here both characters are beard-less to probably tone up how young they are when they died (and there seems to be a shift to iconography to late classical period to point out the youth of the heroes by emitting their beard. In here Achilles and Patroclus almost seem to have the same face, maybe point out how both shall die young or mirroring Achiles's fate as well)

Now this archaic kantharos that was attributed to Sokles doesn't have much but I found that little low ponytail to the base of his nape interesting (this image is from a copy)

I love it though how most artists have thought that Patroclus has curly or wavy hair. There is also an anaglyph from Pianabella Sarcophagus that also involves the mourning of Patroclus (roman times)

In here Patroclus seems more mature of age but the details to the expressions in this are simply phenomenal!

It is hard to find way too many depictions that do not include the fight over Patroclus's body. Or statues that involve Menelaus carrying Patroclus etc.

Telemachus:

Now for Telemachus things are getting a bit harder. For example we have a skyfos here:

The older man wearing a hat to his head seems to be bidding goodbye the youth that leaves holding a petassos hat or something similar. This was interpreted to be a departure scene between Odysseus and Telemachus (probably as Telemachus needs to depart frirst from Eumeus's hut to return to his mother and Odysseus is to follow him later. This however is much clearer:

This depiction on a skyphos (drinking cup) attributed to Penelope Painter, shows Penelope sitting sadly by her loom which is half-finished but with intricate pattern and Telemachus is standing beside her!

I also discovered this from an Apulian krater where Telemachus is received by Nestor. He holds his helmet or pilos at hand and he also has spears:

But we do not have too many pieces of ancient art depicting Telemachus but his depictions do seem similar to Odysseus with the curly hair and all minus the beard.

Aias/Ajax:

Now for Aias/Aiax the Greater we have seen amazing depictions like the ones I sent you before by Exekias so we have definitely some more to show! Once again we have a depiction of his playing the board game with Achilles but in this amphora attributed to Bareiss Painter we have just his face rescued which is interesting:

His name is written above. I like how his beard is toned up with reddish color so maybe to indicate his reddish or better brown hair. I do find quite a few depictions of this game between the heroes. Also a large number of pottery that depicts Ajax carrying the body of Achilles, like this depiction by Exekias:

Anyway sorry my blabbering kicked in again! ^^; Back to images

If I may say so, it seems that Ajax is a lot associated with Achilles in art showing that the two heroes were close not only in age (Even Antilochus mentions how Ajax was also of a younger generation although we can assume older than Achilles, Diomedes and Antilochus himself, he definitely was also one of the young heroes). His association of being "second best after Achilles" in many things is also interesting, or the fact that he was one of those who fought Hector and forced a draw out of him.

It seems that Ajax was connected or mirroring Achilles, which explains why he was so furious when Odysseus took the arms of Achilles in a debate. It seems as if Ajax was his "heir" in the battlefield daresay a close friend. This relationship seems to be of outmost importance to understand how Ajax lost it when he lost the arms.

Another pattern I noticed with Ajax is of course his quarrel with Odysseus. I often find depictions such as this depiction of a drapped figure between two warriors which is named "Agamemnon separating Ajax and Odysseus"

I find interesting contrast between depictions of Ajax and Achilles vs Ajax and Odysseus. Ajax with Achilles either is depicted playing a game or Ajax carrying his fully armed body away but with Odysseus he is usually depicted as going for each other's necks! XD And many of the Athenian lekythoi (another type of oil bottle) are depicting this conflict between them.

This hydria (water jug) from the so-called Leagros Group is also amazingly expressive how someone seems to be holding Odysseus who is holding a sword and pulling Ajax out of the way who probably already has made a threat towards Odysseus (he is holding his sword as if having made his attempt already and he needs TWO people to pull him away!) while Agamemnon tries to separate them in the middle! Hahaha! The expressions of horror of the others are great!

In this case Ajax is depicted without a beard possibly to indicate the difference in age between him and Odysseus. I also love how the artist has, consciously or not, captured some of the characters' bodytypes here with Ajax being taller and well built and Odysseus shorter of structure with strong thighs.

This image of Ajax has me laughing my butt off! He looks so confused! XD (Aryballos -tiny perfume bottle for men- by Clinic Painter), from a scene where the team arrives at Achilles's tent.

One rare image I discovered is this that is attributed to Kleophades Painter and I found one fragment from a scene where Phoenix seems to be dragging Ajax away from Hector (Hector is being dragged away by Priam to the other side). I love how detailed Ajax's clothing is and his beard and here he has long, wavy hair (also interesting detail of an african figure/shilhouette on his shield)

Which of course indicates another famous theme of Iliad, the battle between Hector and Ajax. Douris Cup has some of the greatest scenes I have ever seen Ajax (named, on the left) is urged by Athena to attack Hector while Hector is assisted by Apollo

Of course aother infamous theme is the suicide of Ajax like this etruscan-time calyx-crater:

One rare image I discovered is this attributed to Brygos Painter that includes the dead body of Ajax while being covered with his shroud if I recall correctly by wis wife.

I should say that most painters agree upon Ajax having a beard potentially brown or dark brown hair and of course from Homer a large tall body. (So ironic that I find more depictions of the Locrian Ajax and the rape of Cassandra over these!)

Odysseus:

Of course, last but certainly not least Odysseus is like the star of painters! Hahaha! I find thousands of references to him and his name! XD As you see just with Ajax alone we have a series of paintings that involve him. Hehehe but of course some of the greatest samples out there are of course things like the siren painter I gave to my first reply! But here are some more gems!

One painter called Dolon Painter, painted a scene with Dolon being surprised by Diomedes and Odysseus

Gosh Diomedes looks like a devious devil doesn't he as he grabs Dolon while sorter and stutier Odysseus on the left has his sword ready to make the threat!

In the inside of a kylix once again attributed to the amazing Byrgos Painter we see a figure wearing a Petassos Hat leading a woman. From the thematic around the rim, is estimaded to be Odysseus leading Briseis out of Achilles's tent towards Agamemnon:

I really like the detail that Briseis seems hesitant or slightly resisting as she leans back, possibly indicating that she is not willing to leave Achilles. They also seem to have their mouths open as if they are speaking to each other.

The same painter on the same kylix also has the dispute possibly between Odysseus and Ajax and what I love about this is that the painter even depicts the hairs on their torso!

This oinohoe (wine jug) attributed to Athena Painter shows two warrior sitting down in the vegetation for an ambush. It is said to depict Odysseus and Diomedes

From the same Aryballos of the Clinic Painter we have again a very cheeky pose Odysseus (and yeah the painter definitely did his thunder thighs justice! XD as well as his bushy hair)

I found also this sketch from Acropolis Museum from North Metope 24 which depicts ellegedly Odysseus and Menelaus looking for Helen and both are rushing forward. Odysseus is depicted with a helmet and a beard while Menelaus is depicted without a beard, possibly to indicate their age difference

This one here is from a Calix-crater, attributed to Persephone Painter, is a very famus scene with Odysseus rinning after Circe with his sword while Circe has dropped the wine cup and her wand and runs for it. Odysseus is wearing chalys and petassos again

Of course the infamous scene in the Underworld:

Where Odysseus is sitting waiting for the prophet Tiresias. This seems to be one of the rare depictions of Odysseus's comrades too since on the left wearing Pilus and holding a spear seems to be Eurylochus, his second-in-command and on the right holding a sword is Perimedes. In another similar image, by Lycaon Painter, Odysseus has Hermes (on the right) and Elpenor to the left (Elpenor's youth is toned up a lot and he is the only naked figure (probably to also indicate the status of him being unburied apart from his youth)

This is also an anaglyph where Odysseus is seen to the far right dressed as a beggar and holding the little pouch and the staff in his hand, Penelope sits cross-legged to the chair and behind her is Telemachus standing:

On his knees is probably Eumeus and standing behind Telemachus is probably Philoetius. I really love the tender gesture of Odysseus and you can see the pain in his eyes as he has to pretend that he is just a beggar in front of his wife!

I also loved this depiction from Penelope Painter again where Euryclea is washing Odysseus's feet

I really love the details here especially how Euryclea has short hair which was indicative of slaves in classical period Athens, when the depiction was created, while Odysseus again has his pouch thrown over his shoulder which is a gesture memorized in the Odyssey a lot.

Of course there are other archaic depictions of Odysseus around like the infamous Polyphemus Blinding scenes or Odysseus hanging upside down from the ram that saved his life. I choose these because they have more prominient his characteristics.

Soooo this is a small sample again from artwork of that time. I hope these are useful ^_^

A question about visual arts this time

Do you have any favorite classics artwork(s) that is Iliad related? Like ancient potteries of Homeric heroes, mural arts, paintings during the medieval Europe, etc?

Oh my that is a very good question! There are so many pottery painting and murals of later years that portray so greatly the epic cycle that is so hard to choose!!! But I believe one of the old masters is definitely Exekias! As you remember from my small analysis on the preparation of Ajax suicide. He creates some amazing pasterpieces with the Iliad protagonists and he is very detailed in his style. See for example the famous depiction of Ajax and Achilles playing a board game:

His lines are very bold and his work is very detailed and not only that he includes even thematics that are lesser known such as the preparation of the suicide instead of the act itself or this board game that ellegedly happened in the middle of a battle. Of course we also have the so-called "Siren Painter" with the amazing depiction of Odysseus resisting the sirens songs from the Odyssey

But to focus more on Iliad as you requested (or the general aspects of the war) One of my favorites is definitely this Kylix that was drawn by a painter named Douris. here's an image of Odysseus approaching mourning Achilles (his arms are hanging from a wall which is a very interesting detail)

This Kylix involves the sharing of the arms of Achilles and the medalion in the middle depicts Odysseus handing over to Neoptolemous the arms of his father while holding a boetian-style shield instead of the well known shield of the homeric poems (and it is interesting given how most Neoptolemous depictions involve him killing Priam -he seems so innocent here doesn't he?!-):

A roman wallpainting from Pompeii is definitely one of my favorite Patroclus representations along with of course the infamous scene with him being taken care of by Achilles in a Kyllix

The fight over the body of patroclus in the black-figure style is also amazingly expressive:

The Berlin Painter has definitely one of the most expressive depictions of the battle between Achilles and Hector:

This depiction is around the neck of a crater, the figures are named and I loved how Hector is bleeding profoundly while untouched Achilles is going for the kil with his spear. Euphronius painter also has a very brutal scene of Achilles slaying Troilus:

An Amphora mostly black but for one red figure seems to be depicting Antilochus and is a really rare one from one I can tell!

I love how his long, wavy hair is arranged under the helmet and his obviously youthful appearance (he is a great source of inspiration for my Achilles and Antilochus story). I also love the Triptolemous Painter for making this depiction of the council of Achilles:

Not only do I love the cheeky pose Odysseus has; trying to transfer his ature through painting! Not only do we again see the arms of Achilles to the walls but also we have old Phoenix to the background with his hair tonred up with white color (thankfully rescued by passage of time) with his long hair thugged with the hair band and all! Kleophades Painter has one of the most brutal scenes of the murder of Priam I have ever seen!

This seems to follow the line of the myth that Virgil speaks of in Aenead; Neoptolemus kills Astyanax before his grandrather before killing him too. In here he seems to have laid the dead baby to his knees and almost seems like either repeatedly stabbing him or beating him to death while Priam tries to shield his head. The baby also seems to have been repeatedly stabbed as well! And blood splattered everywhere!

For Diomedes this is definitely one of my favorites; the stealing of the horses with Odysseus

One can see his youthful appearance compared to Odysseus as they drive the horses away or the exchange of the weapons with Glaukus

I love his youthful appearnce and the thin features and yet the stout body to show his warrior status and the way he receives the shield with care in this, shows much on his personality really.

*

Oh there are so many different depictions by ancient art alone! I would be more than happy to elaborate further with specific images on specific heroes if you want on future reblogs because honestly the category is huge! Even scenes like geometric time paintings seem to be quoting Homer and either the funeral of Patroclus or Hector:

Thank you for the intriguing question! Made me remember many of these masterpieces!

[katerinaaqu]

Hahahahaha yeah ram and Odysseus go side by side hahahaha and yeah Athena and Hermes "share custody" hahaha also arguably Odysseus shares his epithet "polymitis" (man of many wiles" with Hephaestus too hahaha 😆

The double staff is associated with Hermes as messenger of gods. It usually involves two snakes (often confused with Asclepius staff that has one snake around a pole or around a goblet). The staff is shown being held by Hermes as well as others like Odysseus here and is a symbol of merchants, negotiators or messengers. Sometimes of thieves as well as it is associated with Hermes.

As I mentioned in my post the hat here is called petassos. It is basically a very simple straw hat that is worn by people who travel to protect them by the sun or rain. It is characteristic both of Hermes and characters like Odysseus to signify someone who travels a lot or moves about.

The characteristic hat Odysseus wears is a small conical hat called pilus. However he is often depicted with this straw hat like Hermes too.

The Assosiation of Odysseus with the Ram (an Odyssey and Iliad Analysis on Odysseus and Hermes)

Is there no one gonna talk on the fact that Odysseus escapes Polyphemus under a ram? A RAM! The ram is one of the sacred animals of HERMES! Also the association of Odysseus with the ram seems to be blatant and I am surprised no one talks of it! Hermes! The god that is his lineage and also arguably the one that helped him without conditions in his trip...is always there!

Hermes is also called Κριοφορος (Kriophoros)= ram-bearer, due to myths that involve him carry a ram around his back

Also in ancient art, Hermes is also depicted riding a ram!

Odysseus escapes Polyphemus and certain death UNDER a ram, when Hermes, the sender of souls to the underworld is depicted ON a ram! What is more the ram as black of color, a color associated to death and mourning as well as Hermes is associated with death!

Hermes is mentioned as "bearer of rams" and yet a lamb now bears Odysseus under it out of the cave!

Of course the most infamous association of Odysseus with a ram is that he is also compared to one! Infamously in the Iliad:

Secondly, the old man upon seeing Odysseus he asked: "Tell me now, dear child, who is that one. He is a head shorter than Agamemnon the son of Atreus but he seems to me wider in his shoulders and his chest, his arms he has them placed upon the well-graised earth. He seems to me like a thick-haired ram the way he prances through the lines of men as if they are a flock of white lambs"

(Translation by me)

Not only does Homer give us a very good physical description of Odysseus in the most beautiful way (ram= thick of hair, possibly curly and wholly -as also described in the Odyssey- possibly hairy of body as well also walking proud and steadily) as well as in a way his demeanour (the word "ram" κτίλος also means "calm" or "demured") but it also seems very interesting how he is associated with an animal known to be sacred to Hermes!

Hermes according to many myths was the father of his grandfather, Autolycus, therefore Odysseus's grea-grandfather! From line one he is associated with an animal that is also associated with his lineage (to me it seems that Homer more or less from line one shows us that this is the family line he follows for Odysseus)

Then a ram is his salvation out of the cave of Polyphemus; a ram that is associated with a god that is said to send souls to the dead also saves his life!

In Aeaea Hermes appears to assist him by giving him Moly and instructions on his trip. Hermes is there all by himself. Other gods have either abandoned him because of his hubris or were not interested in him. Hermes is there to bring assistance on his own accord. (Hermes is also a rule-breaker, just like Odysseus is not the classical figure of a hero and uses methods that are often seen as shady for the ideal warrior)

In the Underworld Odysseus once again has to sacrifice a ram, a BLACK ram and wait for Tiresias to drink from its blood.

A ram is also part of the sacrifice he has to offer to Poseidon (ram, bull and boar).

Hermes comes to bring the message to Ogygia and release Odysseus from it

Odysseus seems to be completely associated with the ram and it is more than just a coicidence to me. Arguably Odysseus who was described as a ram, travels in the Underworld, like Hermes travels to the underworld to bring the souls of the dead! This doesn't seem like a coicidence in my eyes.

Homer seems to be totally insinuating that the ram and consequently Hermes are part of his inheritence. Even the fact that Hermes is often seen as a trickster and a rule-breaker seems to be connected to Odysseus and his behavior or demeanour.

Hermes is also associated as protector of travelers and wanderers and this is exactly what Odysseus is in the Odyssey! Moreover Odysseus and Hermes are associated with the iconography of the hat called petasos:

(Odysseus and Hermes)

Also both associated with this double-stafff iconographically, which is a symbol of a messenger! Odysseus often acts like a messenger or as a comittee or as a negotiator! I also daresay that he is also depicted pulling Briseis from the hand, the movement is associated with Hermes as he leads souls in the underworld!

And most importantly; Hermes's epithets among other are Δόλιος (Dolios)=Wily, Deceiving, Planning

And.....

Πολύτροπος (Polytropos)= Of many ways, of many turns

THEY LITERALLY SHARE THE SAME EPITHET!!!!!!!!

Seriously guys his association with a ram is not a coincidence! The dude is practically the perfect combo of Hermes and Athena!! The Ram is Hermes!!!!!

Get mindblown as I am now!