In a miniature of the manuscript of Oppian's "Cynegetica", the king of Salmydessus, Phineus, appears seated at the center of a long table. His messmates are around him talking to each other. A young maid serves dinner. To the right and left of Phineus, two winged Harpies are about to snatch the goblet with the food at the center of the table. The words «Νεάπολις» (Neapolis), «Φάρος» (Lighthouse), and «το στενόν» (the Strait) define the topography of the area. In terms of morphology, clothing, and scenery the miniature, in fact, depicts the court of a Byzantine aristocrat.

"Cynegetica" is a didactic poem on fishing and hunting methods. Oppian from Apamea of Syria wrote it in 211 AD, and he dedicated it to the Emperor Caracalla as a gift. The surviving manuscript was created in a Byzantine scriptorium during the 11th century. There are 23 miniatures with mythological scenes (such as the myth of Phineus) in addition to 127 miniatures with hunting scenes. The creators of the manuscript, the person who ordered it, and its first owner are all unknown. The manuscript entered the possession of Cardinal Bessarion, and he bequeathed it to the Republic of Venice in 1468.