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The abduction of Persephone 

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On an ivory plaque from a papyrus-roll winder, the mythological episode of the abduction of Persephone by Hades is depicted. Pluto has already grabbed Persephone and is carrying her to the Underworld with his quadriga. Persephone tries to escape from Hades. Hermes Nymphagogos (leader of the bride) is ahead of the chariot, at the upper right corner, wearing a petasos (broad-brimmed hat), chlamys, and winged sandals, and holding the caduceus (a thin laurel or olive rod with two small wings and two snakes revolving around the rod facing each other, symbol of Hermes). He leads them to the Underworld. In the lower right corner, a female figure is kneeling, but she is considerably damaged. Zeus also watches the scene from above.

On the plaque's reverse side Demeter, Artemis and Athena are depicted, pursuing the Hades' chariot.


Caption Ivory plaque from Pompeii with the abduction of Persephone by Hades

Mythic people Zeus (Deity), Hermes (Deity), Hades (Deity) ,Persephone (Goddess)

Type Ivory object

Origin Pompeii (Regio I, Insula 2)

Current position Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Napoli (Italy)

Index number 109905

Dating 79 AD

LIMC Url

Notes

Elfenbeintäfelchen mit Reliefdarstellung des Raubes der Persephone | Arachne (dainst.org)

Wood S., "Literacy and Luxury in the Early Empire: A Papyrus-Roll Winder from Pompeii." Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome 46 (2001), 23-40

Παράδειγμα τέτοιας κατασκευής: The Fitzwilliam Museum - Roman ivory stand, or device for scrolling papyrus

νυμφαγωγός - Ancient Greek (LSJ)

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