AboutIrulan Serena Expertise Able to answer any question dealing with Greco-Roman mythology. Experience comes from teaching classical literature in all levels of the school curriculum from middle school to university level for thirty-eight years.
You were most helpful to me on a previous occasion in confirming the identity of Athena as she appeared in the form of a statue in the Tuileries Gardens, Paris.
I hope you can do the same again.
A similar statue sits atop one of the main cornerposts at the entrance to the Courtyard at the palace of Versailles.
This one displays no helmet, aegis or sword. Instead, the woman has what appears to be one Laurel wreath on her head as she is holdong another in her outstretched left hand--as if examining it--almost in triumph.
The interesting thing about this figure however is the rather large eagle she has trampled firmly under her (left) foot. As this eagle is probably intended to represent Zeus, this leads me to suspect the statue is of Hera. (The eagle is not dead, but is looking up at the figure as if to say "Get your foot off of me!"
Curiously, this figure too, sports a full set of wings. (It is also attended by a cherub.)
Nothing else of this figure can be said to be definitive.
I have a picture of it, but this medium prevents me from passing that to you.
Any ideas who the figure represents?
Regards,
Dan O'Hanlon
Answer Hello Dan,
The best clue is the laurel. The statue you describe is none other than Daphne, the only female who refused the love of Apollo.
Here is the myth:
How did Apollo fall in love with Daphne? This happened after a dispute with Eros. For the god of the silver bow, seeing Eros bending his own bow said to him:
"What are you doing with the arms of men, you wanton boy? That weapon befits my shoulders ... Be content with your torch to light the hidden fires of love, and lay not claim to my honours." [Apollo to Eros. Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.457]
And to these words of one inexperienced in love, Eros replied:
"Your dart may pierce all things else, Apollo, but mine shall pierce you; and by as much as all living things are less than deity, by so much less is your glory than mine." [Eros to Apollo. Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.463]
Having spoken thus, Eros, flying up to the peak of Mount Parnassus, shot an arrow with a sharp point of gold against the god, thus kindling his love, and taking a blunt dart tipped with lead, he smote the heart of Daphne thus putting her to flight.
This is how Eros, using darts of opposite effect, causes hearts to burn with pain and despair, or freeze with indifference or terror.
Since that day that Eros pierced her heart with a tip of lead Daphne ignored all suitors, not caring for love or wedlock, and only wishing to enjoy perpetual virginity, while Apollo was, for the first time, consumed by the flames of love. Love, is more powerful than the gift of prophecy, for Apollo, though possessing this gift, could not see that his pursuit would be fruitless.
The heart that has been pierced by Eros' blunt dart cannot be conquered, even if the assailant were the son of Zeus, or he who inspires all sciences and arts, or he who knows harmony and turn it into music, or he who sees what is to come. All this and more is Apollo, the greatest healer of all, and yet unable to heal his own heart, pierced by Eros with the sharp golden point, hopelessly in love with no hope of being loved back.
When Daphne saw Apollo coming towards her, she had to escape. Apollo pursued her, so she implored to Zeus to help her disappear from sight. And as her prayers were heard, she was turned into a laurel tree. [In another version she pleads with her father, a minor river god to help her and he turns her into a laurel tree.]
That was all that remained of her, but Apollo broke a branch from the tree, and placing it on his head declared:
"Since you cannot be my bride, you shall at least be my tree. My hair, my lyre, my quiver shall always be entwined with you, O laurel." [Apollo. Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.556]
From that time on the laurel tree became not only the symbol of Apollo's power, it also became the symbol of peace. It was the laurel, Apollo's favorite tree whose branches adorned the heads of conquering heroes who brought peace to the land. The laurel is still used a symbol of peace today ...when one says " ....extends the peace branch ...it is the laurel whose branches were used then and now to symbolize many things among which were / are:
Ambitions of a hero –
Peace
Glory
Victory – used to crown and welcome conquering heroes
Perseverance
The wings were given to her by Zeus as her spirit departed her body.
