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Classical Mythology, 7th Edition - obinfonet: dia logou

Classical Mythology, 7th Edition - obinfonet: dia logou

Classical Mythology, 7th Edition - obinfonet: dia logou

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THE TROJAN SAGA AND THE ILIAD 439<br />

The Judgment of Paris, by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553); oil on panel, 1530,13 V2 X<br />

8 3 /4 in. This tiny painting wittily exploits the incongruities of a tale where great goddesses<br />

appear naked before a shepherd. Paris is a corpulent Renaissance knight in armor and<br />

foppish hat, while Hermes is an aged warrior (barefoot, as befits a god) whose decrepit<br />

appearance sets off the sensuality of the goddesses. Aphrodite looks fully at the viewer,<br />

while Athena rests her arm on Hermes. In the background the towers and spires of Troy<br />

can be seen. Cupid draws his bow above, and to the left the horse seems to add his own<br />

view of the contest. (Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe, Germany. Reproduced by permission of<br />

Staatliche Kunsthalle.)<br />

to be the sister and wife of Zeus, and these two are his daughters. Doesn't all<br />

this make the decision extremely difficult?<br />

HERMES: I don't know. Yet it is impossible to avoid an order given by Zeus.<br />

PARIS: Just this one request, Hermes. Convince them—I mean the two who

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