1ST CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN GREEN PLASMA INTAGLIO OF HERCULES
1ST CENTURY A.D.
With figure of Hercules and the Lernaean Hydra, the hero seated on a rock wearing a lion pelt and holding a club, seizing one of the serpent's heads over a flaming altar, in 19th Century ring setting
1.3 x 0.9 cm.; 1.7 cm. across inner hoop

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Lot Essay

Hercules was the illegitimate son of Jupiter and the Theban princess Alcmena and for this reason was the constant butt of Juno's jealousy. Her hatred of him manifested itself in many trials that the hero had to overcome. Twelve of these episodes were grouped together as the Labours of Hercules, one of which was the Lernaean Hydra, a monster whose many heads grew back whenever one was cut off. Hercules killed the monster by cauterizing each wound with a torch to prevent the heads from reforming.

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