KARTHAGO

         

Die Beschriftung im Museum lautet:

"Silenus Supported by 4 Satyrs
From the Byrsa Hill
This group was restored from 45 fragments and originally consisted of Silenus carried by 4 satyrs, 2 of which are now lost. Silenus and satyrs are associated with the cult of Bacchus, and often form part of the god's retinue in mosaics, sarcophagi, reliefs, paintings and smaller scale objects. Satyrs are young and athlecally built, with small tails at the base of the spine. Occasionally, as here, their features are rather goatish and they may have pointed ears. Silenus, on the other hand, is an old man whose soft fat body shows the effects of a lifetime or worshipping Bacchus, whose rites consisted principally of heavy drinking and bad behavior. Like the satyrs, he is not wholly human. This is indicated here by the rough furry hair on his chest and the spotty, leopard-like skin on his arms and his legs."

Weiter mit der Dia-Schau Tunesien: