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 Dioscuri, he also painted a reproduction of a fresco there depicting Perseus rescuing Andromeda. I originally got it confused with a very similar painting in the House of the Five Skeletons (VI 10,2).

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

In the House of the Dioscuri, the painting of Perseus rescuing Andromeda is displayed with a painting of Medea contemplating the death of her children and two paintings depicting the slaughter of Niobe's sons and daughters. This is a dramatically different grouping than the painting in the House of the Five Skeletons.

ChatGPT suggested the following overall theme:

"The collection of paintings in the House of the Dioscuri—including Perseus rescuing Andromeda, Medea contemplating the murder of her children, and the slaughter of Niobe's sons and daughters—likely carried layered and complex messages for 1st-century CE Roman viewers. Here’s an analysis of the potential meanings conveyed by this grouping:

Themes of Divine Retribution and Mortal Arrogance

"Niobe's Story: The slaughter of Niobe’s children, a punishment by Apollo and Artemis for her hubris in boasting her superiority to Leto, represents divine justice and the consequences of pride. For Roman viewers, this could serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of arrogance, particularly in challenging divine authority.
Medea's Story: Medea’s contemplation before murdering her children underscores the destructive potential of human passion and vengeance. Her story reflects the chaotic and tragic consequences of unbridled emotions, which contrasts with Roman ideals of self-control.

"Together, these tales emphasize the moral lesson that excessive pride or uncontrolled emotions often lead to ruin, reinforcing cultural ideals of moderation and deference to higher powers.

"Perseus as the Ideal Hero: Perseus rescuing Andromeda showcases the hero’s triumph over chaos and his role as a savior. Perseus is an archetype of the virtuous hero, characterized by bravery, divine favor, and the ability to restore order, embodying traits admired in Roman society.

"Placing Perseus alongside the more tragic myths might contrast his controlled, heroic qualities with the flaws of Niobe and Medea. It reinforces an ideal of measured courage and heroism as preferable to the emotional recklessness or hubris seen in the other figures.

"Gendered Morality and Family Dynamics: The paintings of Medea and Niobe focus on familial destruction caused by women. Medea’s premeditated infanticide and Niobe’s pride in her children leading to their deaths could have been read as cautionary examples of women overstepping their societal roles or failing in their duties as mothers.

"Perseus, by contrast, is a male hero rescuing a vulnerable woman (Andromeda), presenting an idealized male role in protecting and preserving family honor and societal stability.

"Juxtaposition of Chaos and Order: The setting of these paintings in the peristyle, a space associated with leisure and contemplation, creates a striking juxtaposition. While the fountain and basin evoke tranquility and the controlled beauty of nature, the paintings remind viewers of the ever-present potential for chaos and tragedy if divine or societal laws are transgressed.

"Elite Messaging and Cultural Reflection: The grouping of these paintings may have reflected the intellectual and cultural sophistication of the house's owner. These stories, derived from Greek mythology, were familiar to educated Roman audiences and often carried moral, philosophical, and even political undertones.
Displaying these themes in a prominent public space within the house also conveyed messages about the owner’s understanding of fate, virtue, and the balance of power between humans and the divine.

"Philosophical Overtones: For Stoic or Epicurean viewers, these myths might have evoked philosophical reflections. Niobe and Medea could represent the dangers of succumbing to passions or pride, while Perseus’ triumph might symbolize the virtues of reason and divine favor overcoming chaos.

"In essence, this grouping of mythological scenes served as a multi-faceted narrative about human behavior, divine intervention, and moral values. It provided an opportunity for viewers to reflect on themes of heroism, hubris, familial obligations, and the consequences of emotional extremes, all while enhancing the aesthetic and cultural prestige of the household."

I then pointed out "Other large frescos of deities including Zeus Enthroned and Saturn point toward the possibility the owner of the House of the Dioscuri served as a priest. Would this account for scenes where females produce tragedy and the male hero, Perseus, is the only character representing order and respect for the gods?"

ChatGPT replied: "If the owner of the House of the Dioscuri served as a priest, it could indeed provide a compelling explanation for the thematic grouping of these frescoes, as well as the broader selection of divine imagery like Zeus Enthroned and Saturn. The male-centric narrative of order and respect for the gods, contrasted with female-driven chaos and tragedy, aligns with the ideological and religious messaging that would resonate with someone in a priestly or religiously significant role. Here’s how this fits into the context:

"Reinforcement of Patriarchal and Religious Ideals: The dichotomy between tragic female figures (Niobe, Medea) and the male hero Perseus could reflect a moral framework prioritizing masculine control, rationality, and divine favor. For a Roman priest, this would resonate with their role as a mediator of order between humans and the gods, reinforcing the ideal that the male priestly figure upholds divine will and societal harmony.

"Perseus’ respect for divine intervention (e.g., the gods aiding him with gifts like Hermes’ winged sandals or Athena’s shield) could serve as a model for piety and proper behavior toward the gods.

"Moral and Didactic Role of Myths: Priests in Roman society often acted as moral exemplars, promoting values like pietas (duty to gods, family, and state). The myths of Medea and Niobe could serve as cautionary tales illustrating the dangers of neglecting these values, while Perseus embodies their fulfillment.

"Niobe’s defiance of the gods and Medea’s destructive passions highlight failures to respect divine authority and familial duty. Perseus’ actions, in contrast, restore order and uphold the moral code, making him an ideal figure for religious and societal ideals.

"Emphasis on Cosmic and Social Order
Roman religion was deeply concerned with maintaining the cosmic order (pax deorum) through rituals and respect for the gods. The inclusion of Zeus Enthroned and Saturn further emphasizes the importance of divine rule and the hierarchy of the cosmos.

"In this context, Perseus’ heroism could symbolize the triumph of cosmic order over chaos (represented by Andromeda’s monster and the unruly passions of Medea and Niobe). As a priest, the homeowner might have identified with Perseus as an agent of divine will, preserving harmony and stability.

Gendered Representations of Power and Responsibility: The depiction of tragic female figures might reflect the Roman societal perspective on gender roles. Women were often seen as more prone to emotional excess, which could lead to chaos if not tempered by male authority.

"For a priest, who embodied the ideal of rational, disciplined service to the gods, this contrast would underline the importance of male leadership in maintaining societal and religious order.

The House as a Reflection of Religious Identity: The placement of these frescoes in a prominent space, such as the peristyle near the fountain and basin, suggests their function as more than mere decoration. They could serve as a public statement of the homeowner’s values and religious role.

"By juxtaposing divine imagery with mythological cautionary tales, the house becomes a microcosm of the Roman worldview, where divine order triumphs over human folly, and the priestly figure plays a vital role in upholding this balance.

"Conclusion: If the homeowner served as a priest, the frescoes’ narratives likely reflect their personal identity and professional role. The myths emphasize key religious and social values, such as piety, self-control, and respect for divine authority, while contrasting the dangers of neglecting these virtues. Perseus’ heroism may symbolize the priestly role in maintaining harmony, setting an ideal against the tragic consequences of hubris or passion seen in the female figures. This interpretation not only fits the artistic choices but also aligns with the broader cultural and religious context of 1st-century CE Roman society."

Then I asked, "Did male Roman priests during this period typically caution men about the undisciplined nature of women?"

ChatGPT responded: "During the 1st century CE, male Roman priests were not primarily focused on explicitly cautioning men about the "undisciplined nature" of women in the way that a modern reader might interpret such a caution. However, Roman religious and cultural values often portrayed women as more emotionally driven and potentially disruptive if not guided by male authority. This perspective was part of a broader patriarchal ideology that shaped Roman religion, law, and society.

Key Points about Gender and Roman Priests:

"Role of Priests: Roman priests (including pontifices, augurs, and flamines) were tasked with maintaining the pax deorum—the peace of the gods—by performing rituals, interpreting omens, and overseeing festivals. Their duties were less about direct moral instruction and more about ensuring proper religious practices.
Gender Ideals in Roman Religion:

"Roman religion often emphasized women’s roles in domestic piety and fertility. Women participated in significant religious roles, such as the Vestal Virgins, but these roles also required strict discipline and control over their behavior (e.g., chastity for Vestals).

"Stories of mythological women like Niobe, Medea, and Clytemnestra served as cautionary tales highlighting the dangers of excessive emotion, defiance of male authority, or neglect of divine duties. These myths may have been invoked by priests or in public discourse as moral examples rather than direct accusations against all women.

Moralizing Literature:

"Roman writers like Livy, Ovid, and Seneca often reinforced the idea of women needing guidance and control. Livy, for example, portrays figures like Lucretia and Verginia as paragons of virtue or victims of moral failings. While these texts were not sermons, they shaped public attitudes about gender roles.

"Priests might reflect these values indirectly, as their roles were embedded within a culture that idealized disciplined masculinity and associated male authority with religious and moral order.

Specific Examples:

"Roman priesthoods like the flamen Dialis (priest of Jupiter) had strict rules governing their households. Their wives, the flaminica Dialis, were also bound by sacred duties, reinforcing the idea that women’s behavior needed to align with religious propriety under male guidance.

"Myths incorporated into religious festivals often emphasized male heroes restoring order or correcting chaos initiated by women (e.g., Perseus rescuing Andromeda or Jupiter punishing Niobe).

"Wider Social Context: Roman law and family structure placed women under the authority of fathers or husbands (patria potestas). This extended to religious duties, where male heads of households (paterfamilias) led domestic rituals and ensured proper conduct among family members, including women.

"Conclusion: While Roman priests themselves might not have directly "cautioned men" about women, their actions and the myths they perpetuated reinforced a broader cultural framework that viewed women as requiring guidance and discipline. Myths and moral tales were used to exemplify virtues like pietas (duty) and self-control, often through contrasts between disciplined male heroes and impulsive or tragic female figures. In this way, religion and its representatives played a subtle but significant role in promoting patriarchal values."

When I reviewed the frescos recorded by other 19th century artists in the House of the Five Skeletons, 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  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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