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Offering — Iphigenia
Published: 2006-02-08 10:05:59 +0000 UTC; Views: 3497; Favourites: 38; Downloads: 169
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Iphigenia was the youngest daughter of Agamemnon, whom he sacrificed in return for good winds.(which is a little weird, as human sacrifice is virtually unknown in Greek mythology).
Iphigenia is being played by Lockstock , whom i thank for being given permission to use this piece, while the temple is from Hybrid-Stock (some license has been taken here, as Iphigenia was slaughtered over an altar), while the piece of jewellery is from Britt-Stock . thanks.
those not viewing this at full size can reasonably expect a call from Agamemnon, with knife.
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Comments: 58
You're right, and thanks for the most articulate response.
I taught Classical Mythology for years, and loved it.
But if one takes the entire corpus of Greek Mythology (yes, I'm aware that the label 'Greek' itself is a more convenience) as presented by Hesiod, Homer, the dramatists, the later poets and retellers of stories, the codifiers of Homer as written text rather than recitations during the tyranny of Pisastratus, and the even later interpreters of Myth, such as Robert Graves and Joseph Campbell, there's still not much mention of human sacrifice. In fact, it's so rare that it's startling when it is mentioned.
Some Myths might contain a kernel of some historical event, as you argue (although there's evidence that the The Iliad itself was a distillation of ten years of warfare as the Greeks fought their way north, only ending in Troy, and all the stories from all those campaigns got themselves attributed to that one, the last, battle. Logically, no walled town could survive a ten year siege, unless it was a most porous siege). Again, historically, the idea (or the fact) of human sacrifice may be a slender remnant of one of the practices of some earlier occupying group on the Greek mainland.
But I'd argue that Mythology, by and large, serves many other purposes as well, and I could bang on for a long time about what they are (and believe me, I've actually done this, repeatedly), but mostly, Myths are nothing if not metaphors, and they can be interpreted any way one likes, and one can imbue them with whatever meanings seem reasonable. Iphigenia, if one strips away the layers of narrative, is perhaps a warning that the killing of children can never be justified. Perhaps this idea was the peg on which Euripides hung his narrative.
But should the bones themselves turn up, then the archaeologists can answer the question of sacrifice with some finality (we can tell these things). But for a ten year campaign, as The Iliad insists it was, then massive cemeteries should exist, but they simply don't. Which is surprising, as very few of the groups within the combined Greek force actually cremated their dead.
Regards,
and thanks for the favourite. 'Tis appreciated!
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If you're anywhere near Sooki's bar, in Belgrave, this evening, then i'm buying the drinks. I'll be the one with Fagles translation of The Odyssey.
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thanks!
... suddenly i wish i was responsible for the images i used here ..
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Decadence .. one of my favourite words ..
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it sounds nice to say aloud .. and there's something utterly intriguing about the concept ..
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didnt get you... i'm dumb, i know...
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you're not dumb.
the word was 'decadence' .. say it aloud ... it feels good to say.
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wow, she looks so delicate and scared. i like this. very nice
Aithne
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which is exactly the way i would have decribed her too ..
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awesome lighting in this one!!! i love that photo of lockstock! it is so perfect for this image!
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thanks ..
and yes, her stock is so inspiring ..
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i'm pleased with how the veil turned out in this one ..
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Oh, you should be! I had noticed but forgot to comment on it!!
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she looks like she's acting in a play, about to let slip the first words of a some divine monologue.
the moon is so small and incomplete against the glare of the temple..
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Iphigenia
O brave spirit! How you were born from some noble stock, and are rightly a friend to your friends! May that one of my relatives who is left be such as you! For I am not without a brother, strangers, except in so far as I do not see him. Since you wish it, I will send this man with the letter, and you will die; a great eagerness for this seems to possess you.
from Euripides' 'Iphigenia In Taurus'
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thank you
and yes, i'm pleased with it, as it's exactly what i had in mind when i began ..
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thats the best, when one's imagination is the same as the result!
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Quite beautiful. Her expression is perfect, I think.
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Very beautiful. I love the lighting and the grainyness to the woman.
It makes he look almost like a statute.
I think it adds to the emotion of the picture.
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Beautifully done, I love how you depict parts of Greek mythology. <3
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thanks!
the myths are wonderful ..
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I agree I took a two semested course that was Greek and Roman mythology and it was one of the most interesting elective courses I've taken yet.
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Love it! And the effects you create look so cool on the veil, doncha think? Looks so painted!
I can't help but think of PDQ Bach's "Iphigenia in Brooklyn."
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thanks!
*quickly googles Iphigenia in Brooklyn ..*
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Neat. I enjoy it when you do the mythological pieces. Lockstock's photo is quite awesome.
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I love the photo of =lockstock and your textures are outstanding!
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thanks, and yes, her stock is inspiring!
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She posted a new photo today that reminds me a lot of this one, it's very pretty also.
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its amazing how expressive someone can appear
and then when in the proper setting....what story can be told
its remarkable imagery
kuuuudos
Imm
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thank you!
and, yes, the deviations i like best are those that tell stories ..
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