8/9
Tragedies (various subjects): Liebig illustrations, early 20C AD. Artist n/a.

Athena presides the court that tries Orestes 2 for the murder of his mother Clytaemnestra. Apollo stands to the left while the ERINYES (EUMENIDES) point at Orestes 2.

The whole story is told in the trilogy known as 'The Oresteia', three plays by Aeschylus (525-456 BC): Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides.

Orestes 2 in trial

For having stolen fire from heaven and having given it to mankind, Prometheus 1 was punished by Zeus, who ordered Hephaestus to nail Prometheus 1 on a rock in Mount Caucasus. There he was kept bound for many years, and every day an eagle swooped on him and devoured the lobes of his liver, which grew by night as much as the eagle had devoured during the day. The OCEANIDS are visiting him.

[See Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound]

Prometheus 1 chained in Caucasus

Having realized his plight, Oedipus blinded himself and went into exile. In the picture, he appears supported by his daughters Antigone 2 and Ismene 2. To the right stands Creon 2, his brother-in-law and future regent of Thebes. To the left stands the seer Tiresias, who revealed the truth about Oedipus. Oedipus' wife Jocasta has committed suicide, and her body is carried away by some women.

[See Sophocles (495-406 BC), Oedipus the king]

Abdication of Oedipus

Having suffered dishonour, Ajax 1, one of the bravest fighting at Troy, has committed suicide. His wife Tecmessa 1 and his son Eurysaces are mourning him. Ajax 1's half-brother Teucer 1 (in white garment) asks posthumous honours for Ajax 1 to Agamemnon (red mantle), who stands beside Odysseus (red cap).

[See Sophocles (495-406 BC), Ajax]

Death of Ajax 1

Iphigenia has accepted her fate: to be sacrificed so that the Achaean fleet, wind-bound at Aulis, may sail to Troy. Her mother Clytaemnestra has fallen on her knees out of grief and Agamemnon hides his face out of shame, while little Orestes 2 embraces his sister. To the right and in full armour is Achilles, who attempted to defend Iphigenia and save her from death on the altar. The artist has painted an ant on the shield of the chief of the Myrmidons.

As some say, Artemis saved her and brought her to Tauris.

[See Euripides 485-406 BC, Iphigenia in Aulis]

Iphigenia in Aulis

Alcestis, who devoutly died in her husband's stead was brought back from the Underworld by Heracles 1, who is about to show her to her husband Admetus 1

[See Euripides 485-406 BC, Alcestis]

Heracles 1 restores Alcestis to Admetus 1