Classics Flashcards
What house is the Death of Pentheus located in?
The House of the Vettii
What wall is the Death of Pentheus situated on?
The back wall (east)
What are the other two paintings in the Pentheus Room?
Hercules Strangling Snakes and Dirke Tied to a Bull
What themes connect the three paintings in the Pentheus Room?
The city of Thebes, the wrath of the gods
What style is the Death of Pentheus painted in?
4th style
When was the Death of Pentheus created?
62 AD - 79 AD
What belief does the Death of Pentheus communicate?
Divine retribution
What was the execution ritual that was the cause of Pentheus’ death called?
Sparagmos
What is Pentheus’ mother holding? What is its relevance?
A spear tipped with ivy leaves (thyrsus), which is associated with Dionysus
What type of room was the Death of Pentheus?
Triclinium
What is a fresco?
A type of painting made insitu and painted on multiple layers of wet plaster
How big is the Death of Pentheus?
1.04m squared
What is emphasised in the Death of Pentheus?
Downfall of the mortal man and the necessity of respecting the gods
What techniques are used convey the paintings’ messages?
Setting, composition and depth
What is furor?
Uncontrolled emotions that can cause characters to act in ways that go against their destiny
What is pietas?
Dedication to religion, state and family
What is hubris?
Excessive pride or arrogance that can lead to failure or ruin
What is hamartia?
A fatal flaw that led to the downfall of a hero
When was the Aeneid written?
29 BC - 19 BC
Who was the Aeneid written by?
Virgil
When did the Trojan was end?
Around 1250 BC
What is a Homeric hero?
- Someone whose ideals lie within glory
- Willing to lead by example in battle to preserve their name as a fearless role model
- Valued by the Greek world
What is a Roman hero?
- Exemplifies Pietas
- Can provide, motivate and comfort their people
- Valued by the Roman world
Why does Juno hate the Trojans?
- The judgement of Paris
- The prophesised fall of Carthage (her beloved city)
- Ganymedes (Jupiter’s lover)
When was the Battle of Actium?
30 BC
What is medias res?
When stories aren’t written chronologically
What is paterfamilia?
Authority of the male line
