On a terracotta relief (Campana relief), Orestes is depicted in front of the omphalos (“the navel” of the earth). Behind the omphalos, to the left, lies the Delphic Tripod. Due to both the omphalos and the tripod, we can associate the location with the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi. Orestes is naked, brandishes the sword in his right hand, is girded with the empty scabbard of the sword, and holds the chlamys in his left hand. The scene is related to the first purification of Orestes at Delphi, after the murder of his mother and his pursuit by the Furies.
Caption Terracotta relief pinax with Orestes in Delphi
Mythic people Orestes (Hero)
Type Relief
Origin Rome
Current position Museo Nazionale Romano (Terme di Diocleziano), Rome
Index number 4384
Dating 27-14 BC
Notes
Campanarelief mit Orestes, auf dem delphischen Omphalos kniend | Arachne (dainst.org)
Related
Myths