Relief stele with Archilochos. Paros island, circa 500 BCE.
Relief stele.
Probably from the Archilocheion. Depicts Archilochos himself reclining on a couch, his wife seated at the left, and a serving boy at the right, who offers wine to the poet. His weapons hang on the wall: breastplate, shield, quiver and lyre. The table in front of the couch had metal decoration.
circa 500 B.C.
Archilochos is the first lyric poet. Born in Paros in the early 7th century, his father was Telesikles, the leader of a group of Parians who founded a colony at Thassos, on the advice of Pythia in the oracle at Delphi. He lived a very stormy life and fought in many battles. For his military adventures he wrote poems, distinguished for their satirical and antiheroic spirit. His work frequently contains cynical barbs against his fellow countrymen. He also wrote hymns to the gods, like the hymn to Heracles, which was sung at Olympia for the victors of Olympian games.
According to tradition, he was killed during a battle against the Naxians and was buried close to the river, Elytas, where a monument was erected This monument, in honour of Archilochos, as we suggest from the two surviving relief slabs of frieze, would be magnificent.
Also displayed in the Museum is the Ionic column capital which comes from the Archilocheion.
Source: Archaeological Museum, Paros Island, Greece.
Aegean Animals Archaic Art Cyclades Original Photo Paros Paros Archaeological Museum Relief Shields