Perseus and Medusa: Differences between Greek and Roman traditions

 by Mary Harrsch © 2025  

I found another drawing by Wilhelm Zahn that does not appear on herculaneum.uk. It is a depiction of Perseus about to cut the head off of Medusa while Minerva is poised to assist. It was found in the House of Argus (II.2) in Herculaneum and is dated to 1828, soon after the house was excavated. I found a drawing of the fresco made in 1839 on herculaneum.uk but it is not as high of quality as Zahn's rendition. The original fresco was said to have been removed and sent to the Bourbon museum. However, I could not find it in the Naples Archaeological Museum's fresco catalog or online. Perhaps it did not survive the subsequent transfer to the new museum when it was constructed.

Drawing of a fresco found in the House of Argus in Herculaneum (II.2) depicting Perseus, looking at Medusa's reflection in a shield held by Minerva, as he prepares to cut off the head of Medusa, by Wilhelm Zahn, 1828. 

Here we see Perseus, wearing his winged Phrygian cap, looking at Medusa's reflection in the shield held up by Minerva (Athena) so he could remove her head without turning to stone.

I uploaded the image to ChatGPT and asked about any differences between Greek and Roman depictions of the myth and it said:

"Although the fresco from the House of Argus in Herculaneum is a Roman artwork, it follows the Greek tradition of depicting Athena (Minerva) as an active participant in Perseus' beheading of Medusa. This continuity reflects how Roman art often adapted and preserved Greek mythological themes while sometimes emphasizing certain elements differently.

How the Fresco Aligns with Greek Tradition:

Athena's Presence:

In Greek art, Athena is nearly always present at the beheading, either offering guidance or protection. In your fresco, she is actively involved, reinforcing her role as Perseus' divine helper.

Composition & Action:

Greek vase paintings and reliefs typically show Perseus in the act of striking Medusa while Athena stands nearby.

Your fresco follows this approach but adds a dynamic stance for Athena, making her appear poised to intervene directly.

Narrative Symbolism:

The inclusion of additional figures (like the sleeping shepherd) is a Roman addition that adds a layer of interpretation, possibly symbolizing the indifference of mortals to divine events or the contrast between action and inaction.

However, the core mythological elements remain unchanged from earlier Greek versions.

Roman Influence in the Fresco:

Roman art often made mythological scenes more dramatic and theatrical—this is evident in Athena’s more dynamic pose in the fresco compared to the typically stoic stance seen in Greek vase paintings.

The architectural backdrop is a Roman feature, adding depth and placing the event in a more urbanized or palace-like setting rather than the undefined mythological landscapes of Greek art.

Conclusion:

The fresco is firmly rooted in Greek artistic traditions but Romanized in its composition and added narrative elements. It’s a great example of how Romans preserved and adapted Greek myths for their own artistic and domestic contexts."

I noticed Perseus wears a winged Phrygian cap instead of winged sandals and pointed this out to ChatGPT:

"The winged Phrygian cap that Perseus wears in the fresco is an interesting Roman artistic choice. While not the most common attribute in Greek art, it does appear in some depictions of Perseus, particularly in later Hellenistic and Roman works.

1. Common Greek Attributes of Perseus:

In Greek art, Perseus is usually depicted with:

Winged sandals (Talaria), given by Hermes.

A kibisis (special bag) to hold Medusa’s head.

A Harpe (curved sword), sometimes given by Hermes.

Hades’ helm of invisibility (often implied rather than shown).

However, in earlier Greek vase paintings, Perseus is often shown hatless or wearing a simple traveler's cap (petasos).

2. The Winged Phrygian Cap – Hellenistic & Roman Influence

By the Hellenistic period, some depictions of Perseus begin to show him wearing a winged Phrygian cap instead of the more traditional petasos. This could be due to artistic influence from the East (where Phrygian caps were associated with Persian and Anatolian cultures).

The Roman fresco tradition frequently adopted Hellenistic stylistic elements, which might explain why this choice appears in your fresco from Herculaneum."

I also pointed out that Perseus is using either a short sword or a dagger with a hook and asked about it.

"The strange dagger with a curved hook that Perseus wields in the fresco is likely a representation of the harpe, a special weapon often associated with his myth.

1. The Harpe Sword – Perseus’ Mythological Weapon

The harpe is a curved, sickle-like sword, sometimes with an extra hook or notch near the tip. In mythology, it was either given to Perseus by Hermes or was originally the weapon of Cronus (Kronos), who used it to castrate Uranus. It was designed for swift, precise strikes, which fits with Perseus needing to decapitate Medusa without looking directly at her.

2. Depictions of the Harpe in Greek Art

On Greek vases, Perseus often carries a straight-bladed sword, but in some cases, the harpe is shown with a curved blade.

The Berlin Red-Figure Kylix (ca. 480 BCE) shows Perseus holding a short, curved sword after beheading Medusa.

In later Hellenistic and Roman art, the harpe becomes more exaggerated, sometimes resembling a kopis or falx (both curved, single-edged weapons used in Greece and Thrace).

3. Why Does the Roman Fresco Show a Hooked Blade?

The hooked tip may be a Roman stylistic embellishment, emphasizing the unique and divine nature of Perseus’ weapon.

Romans often depicted mythological weapons in a more ornate, dramatic fashion compared to Greek vase paintings.

It might also reflect real-world curved weapons known in the Roman period, such as the sica (used by Thracians and gladiators)."

I corrected ChatGPT that the blade itself was straight with a hook on the edge. ChatGPT replied:

"A straight blade with a small hook along the edge is unusual but still fits within the broader iconography of Perseus’ weapon in Greek and Roman art. Here’s what this specific design might signify:

1. A Variation of the Harpe Sword

Some versions of the harpe were depicted with a notch or hook near the base or middle of the blade, rather than having a fully curved shape.

This could serve both practical and symbolic purposes:

The notch might be inspired by real-world Greek or Thracian blades (such as the falx or machaira) used to hook and control an enemy's weapon.

In a mythological context, it might be a stylized feature indicating divine craftsmanship—perhaps an artistic way to suggest the weapon was a special gift from the gods.

2. Possible Roman Artistic Influence

The Roman fresco tradition often exaggerated or reinterpreted traditional Greek imagery.

Romans had weapons like the sica, which had an inward curve or hooked edge, used by Thracians and certain gladiators.

The artist of the Herculaneum fresco may have blended Greek myth with Roman visual language, altering the harpe’s shape to something more recognizable or dramatic for Roman audiences.

3. Comparison to Other Depictions

Most Greek vase paintings show Perseus with either:

A straight-bladed xiphos (a Greek short sword).

A fully curved harpe, more like a sickle or scimitar.

A hybrid form (a mostly straight blade with a small hook) is less common but appears in some Hellenistic and Roman adaptations.

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