CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

Based upon the distinctive short tunic and remnants of a lyre under the proper left arm, this sculpture depicts the musician Orpheus. According to myth, Orpheus was the son of Apollo. He inherited his father's musical ability and earned the reputation of being the most talented musician amongst men, developing a cult following of both humans and animals alike who were enchanted with his songs. The most famous myth involving Orpheus includes his wife Eurydice. During their wedding, a satyr attempted to seduce Eurydice. In her efforts to escape his advances, she tripped and fell into a nest of vipers, one of which fatally bit her heel. When Orpheus discovered her dead body, he played a song so tragically beautiful that he caught the attention of the Olympians, who urged him to travel to the underworld. Once there, his songs endeared him to Hades and Persephone who agreed to release Eurydice to return with Orpheus, under the condition that he not look back at her until they both reached the upper world. In his excitement once he ascended, Orpheus turned back to check on Eurydice, momentarily forgetting that they both needed to have arrived, and in doing so she vanished to dust. For a similar depiction of Orpheus on a mosaic, see no. 95 in M.-X. Garezou, "Orpheus," in LIMC, vol. VII.