A critical lesson about pride, rage, and their threat to unity from the Temple of Venus in Pompeii

 by Mary Harrsch © 2024

The Temple of Venus in Pompeii is barely more than rubble today because of Allied bombs in 1943. However, thanks to Henri Roux we have an entire Fourth Style wall from the Temple of Venus reproduced due to his diligence.

Pre-1846 reproduction of a frescoed wall from the Temple of Venus in Pompeii with scene from the Trojan War of an enraged Achilles attempting to kill Agamemnon when the king demands Briseis by Henri Roux lithography by Raoul Rochette

ChatGPT provides a little background: "The Temple of Venus in Pompeii, located near the Marina Gate, was dedicated to Venus Pompeiana, the city's patron deity, and associated with Venus Victrix, a symbol of Roman imperial success. Venus was also connected to Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who founded the Roman colony of Pompeii. Before the temple's construction, this area was occupied by a private house, later demolished to make way for the sanctuary."

"The temple underwent multiple reconstructions. Initially built in the early Roman colony period, it was reconstructed in the 1st century AD with a marble façade, reflecting the Roman Empire's preference for grandeur. By the time of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the temple was undergoing repairs following damage from the 62 AD earthquake. This explains why its remains are incomplete. Excavations revealed marble decorations, fragments of the structure, and traces of earlier temple phases. The courtyard surrounding the temple featured colonnades and several rooms used for cult purposes."

I asked about the central battle scene thought to be a depiction of a moment in the Trojan War. I observed Athena appears to be pulling the hair of the aggressive Greek warrior. Is this referring to the moment when Athena prevented Achilles from killing Agamemnon when the king demanded Achilles surrenders his battle prize, Briseis? ​

ChatGPT replied: "Your interpretation is compelling, as Athena’s presence pulling the hair of the Greek warrior indeed aligns with a critical mythological moment: when she intervened to prevent Achilles from killing Agamemnon at the outset of the Trojan War. Let’s examine this possibility:

"Athena’s Role: Athena's action—grabbing the hair of a warrior— suggests divine intervention. In Book 1 of the Iliad, Athena intervenes when Achilles, enraged by Agamemnon’s claim to the war prize Briseis, draws his sword. She appears at Hera's behest to prevent Achilles from killing Agamemnon, thereby avoiding catastrophic discord among the Greeks.

"Athena’s Gesture: Pulling Achilles' hair highlights her authority and divine power. This act emphasizes her ability to impose reason and control over human emotions, aligning with her traditional role as a goddess of wisdom and war strategy...This intervention saves the Greek army from fracturing under internal conflict and highlights the role of divine influence in human affairs.

"Artistic Context: This fresco encapsulates a moment of moral and strategic conflict. By depicting Athena's intervention, the artwork underscores themes of divine influence and the fragility of human alliances, especially in contexts where pride and rage threaten unity...This interpretation aligns with Homer’s narrative from Book 1 of The Iliad, where the gods play a critical role in shaping events, often protecting humans from their own destructive tendencies."

"Interpretation in the Temple Context: In the context of the Temple of Venus, this scene might remind viewers of the divine role in shaping human destiny. It could serve as a moralizing tale about the importance of restraint, rationality, and divine justice, themes resonant with Venus' influence as a divine mediator in the Trojan War."

I then asked, "You mentioned in the Iliad, Achilles is described as drawing a sword but in the fresco he is depicted wielding a spear. Could the weapon have been artistically altered to emphasize Achilles' "Greekness" as opposed to a Roman who usually preferred a sword?"

ChatGPT replied: "The choice of depicting Achilles with a spear rather than a sword in this fresco could indeed have been intentional, aligning with Greek cultural symbolism rather than adhering strictly to the Homeric narrative. Here's how this artistic decision could reflect broader cultural and symbolic priorities:

"Greek Identity and the Spear: In ancient Greek warfare, the spear (or dory) was the primary weapon of the hoplite soldier, symbolizing Greek martial ideals. Achilles, as the archetype of the Greek warrior, might be more iconographically consistent when portrayed wielding a spear.

"The spear connects Achilles to heroic Greek tradition as described in broader epic contexts, beyond the specific moment in the Iliad where he draws a sword to confront Agamemnon.

Roman Sensibilities and Swords: Romans associated the gladius (short sword) with their military prowess and identity. By presenting Achilles with a spear, the artist distances him from the Roman martial image, preserving his Greekness and separating his heroism from Roman ideals.

"Artistic Flexibility in Mythological Representation: Artists in antiquity often adapted mythological narratives to suit their visual, cultural, or symbolic goals rather than adhering strictly to literary sources. By equipping Achilles with a spear, the fresco may emphasize his role as a warrior rather than focusing on the specific Iliadic moment. This approach allows the artist to universalize the scene, making it resonate with broader Greek heroic ideals.

"Potential Local Significance: The Pompeian context might also play a role. Many Roman patrons commissioned mythological artwork as a way to associate themselves with the culture and sophistication of the Greek world. Depicting Achilles with a spear could have been a deliberate nod to Greek heritage while maintaining a distinctly non-Roman visual identity for the figure.

"Thus, while the fresco diverges from Homer’s Iliad in this specific detail, the alteration likely serves a cultural or aesthetic purpose, reflecting how ancient art was adapted to communicate broader ideas of identity, heroism, and cultural alignment."

Then I asked, "Would it also serve to emphasize Achilles' Greek lack of control compared to what would have been the ideal controlled behavior of a highly disciplined Roman soldier?"

ChatGPT replied: "Yes, depicting Achilles with a spear and in a moment of apparent rage could serve as a visual contrast to the Roman ideal of a disciplined, self-controlled soldier. This interpretation aligns with cultural differences between Greek and Roman values regarding heroism and behavior. Here's how:

"Greek Heroic Impulsiveness vs. Roman Discipline: Achilles in Greek mythology is often portrayed as a figure of immense passion and individualism, qualities that lead to both his heroic deeds and his destructive rage. His impulsive, emotional reactions, like his quarrel with Agamemnon, were integral to his character in Greek narratives.

The Roman ideal of the soldier, by contrast, was grounded in disciplina, or discipline, emphasizing self-restraint, loyalty to the state, and control over personal emotions. A Roman patron or viewer might see Achilles' lack of control as a cautionary example, emphasizing what set the Greek hero apart from the Roman ideal.

"The Spear as a Symbol of Individual Combat: In Greek warfare, the spear was often associated with individual combat and heroic duels, as seen in Achilles' exploits. By depicting him wielding a spear, the artist underscores his personal combativeness and heroism but also his individuality, which could be interpreted as a lack of integration into a disciplined collective.

"Roman soldiers, on the other hand, were known for their cohesive formations and collective discipline. The gladius, often used in tight, organized combat, symbolized this approach. By not equipping Achilles with a sword, the artist emphasizes his dissimilarity to the Roman ideal.

"Achilles as a Warning Example: In a Roman context, Achilles' depiction could serve as a subtle moral commentary. His inability to control his emotions, leading to conflict with Agamemnon and, eventually, his own downfall, could serve as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked anger and pride.

"This might resonate with Roman viewers as a contrast to their values, reinforcing the superiority of Roman virtues over the chaotic passions of Greek heroes.

"Adaptation for Roman Patrons: Roman patrons often admired Greek art and mythology but adapted it to reflect their own values. By depicting Achilles as impetuous and emotional, the artist might have been using the myth to subtly reinforce Roman ideals of control and discipline.

"This fresco, then, could simultaneously celebrate Achilles as a heroic figure from Greek tradition while also serving as a reflection on the cultural differences between Greek and Roman ideals, with Achilles' behavior emphasizing traits that Romans might strive to avoid."

Image: Fourth Style frescoed wall from the Temple of Venus in Pompeii with central mural depicting Achilles being restrained by Athena from killing Agamemnon when the king demanded Achilles' war prize, Briseis, reproduced by Henri Roux before 1846.

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