Punishment of Dirce

This sculpture is a Greek depiction of the story of Dirce and her punishment. The sculpture titled “Punishment of Dirce” is a sculpture in the round, from 300 BC. It is constructed in the Hellenistic style. The piece is brought to life by a dynamic composition and emotionally posed figures, which each describe the scene portrayed. There are multiple works showing similar scenes from the story of Dirce. These different works can be seen in red-figure vase paintings, sculpture and also frescos located in Pompeii.

The sculpture depicts four figures in various positions around a thrashing bull. Each figure is sculpted to be life-sized. Two young men struggle to hold the bull still, while they tie a rope around its horns. They are nude, except for material wrapped around their shoulders. Both have strong, athletic bodies, made more visible through the tension in the struggle. The young men are known as Amphion and Zethus, the sons of Antiope. Between them is the bull, which is rearing up in an attempt to free itself from their hold. Under the forelegs of the powerful beast is a woman. She is partially clothed, with her tunic falling from her upper body, exposing her breasts and abdomen. This woman is known as Dirce. She has one arm extended to the son holding the bull’s head and the other hand wrapped around his calf. Dirce is clearly begging for her life as the time for her punishment draws near. Behind the three wrestling with the bull is the figure of Amphion and Zethus’ mother, Antiope. She stands quietly with her dress and shall twisting around her. In her left hand is a spear, standing much higher than her.

The story of Dirce is part of Greek Mythology and therefore an important part of Ancient Greek culture. As earlier mentioned, the image of Dirce’s death is found in different forms of art. Euripides even wrote a play about the story. This story starts when Antiope is seduced by Jupiter and becomes pregnant. She was forced to flee and give birth...