A marmara plaque from Nea Paphos with Ganymedes abducted by an eagle
A marmara plaque from Nea Paphos with Ganymedes abducted by an eagle

Author(s): Henryk Meyza
Subject(s): Archaeology, Ancient World
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Nea Paphos; Ganymedes; eagle of Zeus; relief; Northwestern House; marmara gypsum stone
Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the iconographic theme of Ganymedes abductedby an eagle, the bird either embodying Zeus or acting for the god,depicted on a small plaque of local laminated gypsum, 19.2 cm high,found in Nea Paphos on Cyprus. The floor-level context from theso-called Northwestern House (under the Villa of Theseus) was datedby the pottery assemblage to the end of 1st century AD. The image onthe Nea Paphos plaque shows Ganymedes in a traditional pose, holdingonto the eagle’s neck in order not to fall. This gesture is discussed inrelation to its meaning and artistic prototypes. An unusual feature forthis iconographic is the presumed altar shown next to Ganymedes’ feet.

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