Theseus and the Minotaur painting from Pompeii

Theseus was popular in the Roman world, but there was more emphasis on his role in saving the young Athenians and as the slayer of the Minotaur than the other deeds as you can see if you compare this painting from Pompeii to one of the cups with the Deeds of Theseus. A number of Roman paintings and mosaics have been found which depict the episode with the Minotaur. In this painting Theseus has emerged from the Labyrinth which is suggested by the dark area beyond the doorway. The monster lies on the ground and two children cling to him in gratitude as a group of figures to the left look on in awe. The melodramatic aspect of the story is foremost and the adulation of the crowd, rather than the fearful monster, seems to be the most important aspect. In the Greek archaic period, monsters such as Medusa and the Minotaur were the focus of artists and patrons but in later periods other aspects of these hero stories seemed to be of more interest as this painting suggests.

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