How human engagement with the divine can result in either tragedy or triumph

 by Mary Harrsch © 2024

While Henri Roux worked in the House of the Five Skeletons, he also painted a reproduction of a fresco there depicting Perseus rescuing Andromeda. When I reviewed the frescos recorded by other 19th century artists there, I noticed most of the paintings depicted scenes from the Iliad, except for the painting of Perseus rescuing Andromeda. That seemed odd so I checked the locations of each painting and discovered three of the scenes from the Iliad were in the oecus, but the scene described as Hector asking advice from an oracle was in a different room with the scene of Perseus rescuing Andromeda. I thought the fact that these two paintings were placed in a separate room together must mean that the messages they were intended to represent had some relationship to each other.

Perseus and Andromeda from House of the Five Skeletons (VI 10,2) Pompeii  by Henri Roux lithography published by Raoul Rochette 

Perseus and Andromeda from House of the Five Skeletons (VI 10,2) Pompeii  Anonymous painting, but similar to engraving by Marsigli, of Perseus and Andromeda

Perseus and Andromeda from House of the Five Skeletons Pompeii  VI 10,2 1856 Drawing by Wilhelm Zahn

House of the Five Skeletons (VI 10,2) Pompeii Drawing by Giuseppe Marsigli, 1829, of a warrior (Hector) asking advice from the Oracle

I uploaded Giuseppe Marsigli's drawing of Hector consulting the oracle to ChatGPT and it first evaluated attributes supporting the identification of Hector and the Oracle. It points to Hector's military attire to indicate he is a warrior. It also suggests the presence of the horse points to the warrior being Trojan. I suggest that the horse is particularly symbolic since Homer ends the Iliad by referring to Hector as the "Breaker of Horses."

In the first response, ChatGPT points to the figure on the dais as the oracle but I think the figure on the dais is Apollo who is looking at Cassandra's futile efforts to prophecy the death of Hector as she succumbs to a distraught state from the tragic vision.

Then, ChatGPT seems to acknowledge that it is Apollo in its response to my subsequent query:

"Apollo, standing or seated on the dais, embodies the god’s authority over fate and the Greeks' divine backing in the Trojan War. His elevated position underscores his aloofness and dominance over mortal affairs."

Apollo ordained Cassandra would be disbelieved as punishment for her rejection of his advances after he gave her the gift of prophecy.

ChatGPT explains:

"Cassandra’s curse meant that her warnings and insights were dismissed as delusions or hysterical outbursts. This rejection led to her being viewed as irrational, a perception that isolated her from her family and society.

Behaviors Interpreted as Madness:

"Desperate to warn others about impending disasters (such as the Trojan Horse and the fall of Troy), Cassandra’s frantic attempts to be heard likely appeared erratic or obsessive to onlookers.

"Her intense emotional displays, paired with the content of her prophecies (which were often grim or catastrophic), further cemented her reputation as “mad.”

Prophetic Knowledge as a Burden:

"The curse placed Cassandra in an impossible position: she could clearly see the tragic outcomes of events but was powerless to prevent them. This awareness, coupled with her inability to convince others, might have driven her to behave in ways that seemed unbalanced or desperate."

"Apollo’s curse directly caused Cassandra’s marginalization and the perception of her as unhinged. The god’s actions not only stripped her of credibility but also:

"Warped the Gift: What should have been a divine blessing became a source of torment. Cassandra’s constant foreknowledge of doom, combined with her inability to influence events, put her under unbearable psychological strain.

"Exacerbated Misogynistic Perceptions: In Greek and Roman culture, women who spoke out or challenged societal norms were often labeled as irrational or mad. Apollo’s curse ensured that Cassandra would fit this stereotype, amplifying her tragic narrative.

"Artists frequently portray her with frantic or despairing body language, emphasizing her emotional turmoil."

We see this reflected in the drawing from both her facial expression and her body language.

"Cassandra’s pointing to Apollo and the veil reinforces her awareness of the gods’ role in Troy’s destruction. It also underscores her isolation, as she knows her truth-telling will be ignored, even by Hector, who is otherwise a model of duty and valor."

Cassandra is being supported by a bearded elderly figure that I think may be Priam although ChatGPT points out that it could be a symbolic character representing wisdom or futility in the face of divine will.

I asked about the large veil being drawn back and ChatGPT observed:

"The veil could represent the hidden designs of the gods, symbolizing the boundary between mortal understanding and the divine plan. In this context, the veil might suggest that the gods' decisions are already woven, inaccessible to human agency...The veil may also represent a looming fate: The veil, combined with Cassandra’s apparent horror, could symbolize the inevitability of Troy’s destruction—a fate she foresees but is powerless to alter."

So, I concluded Apollo's influence on Cassandra as portrayed in the drawing appears to point to tragic consequences of any family member ignoring divine intervention. This appears to contrast with the Perseus freeing Andromeda fresco that depicts a successful outcome when the hero accepts and acknowledges divine assistance.

ChatGPT agreed, [this observation] "aligns with the thematic contrasts often explored in Roman wall paintings. These two images—the drawing of Cassandra’s warning to Hector and the fresco of Perseus rescuing Andromeda—indeed serve as opposing illustrations of how human engagement with the divine can result in either tragedy or triumph. This contrast is deeply embedded in Greco-Roman mythological storytelling and would have resonated with the Pompeian viewer on both a personal and societal level."

"Perseus succeeds in his quest and rescues Andromeda because he actively embraces the assistance of Athena, Hermes, and other gods. Each divine tool or guidance he receives (shield, sword, sandals) plays a crucial role in his victory.

"Perseus’s Heroism: His acknowledgment and utilization of divine aid illustrate the ideal hero who aligns with the will of the gods and works in harmony with them.

"Andromeda’s Rescue: Her salvation underscores the idea that the gods reward virtuous action, reinforcing the value of heroism as a collaborative effort between mortals and deities."

"When placed together, these two scenes serve to emphasize a moral dichotomy:

"The Cost of Defiance or Disregard: Cassandra and Hector’s story reminds viewers of the high cost of ignoring divine will. This lesson is especially poignant in a Roman context, where the concept of pietas (dutifulness to the gods, family, and state) was a core virtue.

"The Rewards of Faith and Cooperation: Perseus’s success highlights the benefits of humility and reliance on divine guidance. By following the gods’ plans, the hero achieves glory and ensures the well-being of others (Andromeda, in this case)"

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