Z12.22 THE DRINKING CONTEST OF HERACLES & DIONYSUS
| Museum Collection | Shahba Museum, Shahba |
|---|---|
| Catalogue No. | - |
| Type | Mosaic |
| Context | Phillipopolis |
| Date | - |
| Period | Imperial Roman |
DESCRIPTION
Heracles and the god Dionysus compete in a drinking contest. The figures in the top row from left to right (all labelled) are Maron, an elderly Silen companion of the god, Ariadne, wife of Dionysus, Pothos, god of passion, and Dionysus, god of wine. Dionysus and Ariadne are both crowned with shining aureoles and the god holds a thyrsus (pine-cone tipped staff). The boy Pothos is winged and bears a flaming torch. Heracles reclines on the floor below the other figures with a lion-skin cape draped across his legs and a drinking cup set at his feet. Eros (Love) stands before him playing with his club.