Achilles and the daughters of Lycomedes
Achilles is at the center of the scene. As the daughters of Lycomedes, he is wearing a large kiton but his hair are loose. Deidamia, the daughter of Lycomedes, is at his feet, and is embracing the knees of the hero. She is clearly in love with him as the Erotes carved near her reveal. Achilles has a shield in his left hand and with his right hand is grasping a sword. An overly great helmet is at his feet. The daughters of Lycomedes are freightened and Achilles looks back at them. One of them holds a lyre. This musical instrument recalls both a symbol of femininity and the musical education imparted to Achilles by the centaur Chiron. It is the symbol of a world from which the young hero will be separated forever. Deidamia is looking to the left, towards the Greeks who are rushing. On the right of the scene are represented Ulysses and Diomedes. The first readily indicates to the second the unveiled Achilles.
This scene contains a clear message of separation from the loved one represented with connotations both heroic and lyric.
Source: Zanker P. et alt., “Vivere con i Miti. L’iconografia dei sarcogagi Romani”
Roman Sarcophagus
Early 3rd cent. AD
Paris, Musée du Louvre
Achilles and the daughters of Lycomedes
Achilles is at the center of the scene. As the daughters of Lycomedes, he is wearing a large kiton but his hair are loose. Deidamia, the daughter of Lycomedes, is at his feet, and is embracing the knees of the hero. She is clearly in love with him as the Erotes carved near her reveal. Achilles has a shield in his left hand and with his right hand is grasping a sword. An overly great helmet is at his feet. The daughters of Lycomedes are freightened and Achilles looks back at them. One of them holds a lyre. This musical instrument recalls both a symbol of femininity and the musical education imparted to Achilles by the centaur Chiron. It is the symbol of a world from which the young hero will be separated forever. Deidamia is looking to the left, towards the Greeks who are rushing. On the right of the scene are represented Ulysses and Diomedes. The first readily indicates to the second the unveiled Achilles.
This scene contains a clear message of separation from the loved one represented with connotations both heroic and lyric.
Source: Zanker P. et alt., “Vivere con i Miti. L’iconografia dei sarcogagi Romani”
Roman Sarcophagus
Early 3rd cent. AD
Paris, Musée du Louvre