Flaying of Marsyas - 3

The Flaying of Marsyas

Roman, Imperial

(1st–2nd century AD)

Provenance: Rome (Italy)

Marble

H. 2.56 m

 

The satyr Marsyas dared to challenge the god Apollo to a music contest and, after losing, was condemned to be flayed alive. Here, he is shown hanging from the branch of a pine tree, awaiting his horrendous punishment. The statue is a Roman copy of a bronze Greek original that has not survived. The figure of Marsyas originally formed part of a statue group the composition of which is known to us mainly from a Roman low-relief found in the theatre of Hierapolis (an ancient city of Asia Minor, in present-day Turkey). Apollo was present at the scene, while a Scythian slave whetted his knife under the anguished eyes of Marsyas (copy in the Uffizi gallery in Florence). The air of pathos that surrounds the preparations for the ordeal suggests the original work can be dated to the late 3rd century BC and linked to the Pergamo school.

 

The top of the tree, parts of Marsyas’ body and the head of the billy-goat have been restored.

Former Borghese collection.s.

Done