The Lesche of the Knidians: Layout and Design

Scenes in the Lesche Layout of Scenes by O'Donnell

According to Pausanias (25.2), the entrance to the structure was through the southern wall. Immediately to the left, divided into three sections, half of the south wall, the west wall and half of the north wall was the painting of Odysseus' Descent into Hades (Nekyia). The painting of Troy Taken (Iliupersis) occupied the remaining half of the north wall, the east wall and the wall to the right of the entrance. The two paintings merged in the center of the northern wall and were not separated by a frame. The landscape and ground lines were integrated between the two works. The paintings contained over seventy slightly under life-size figures which were arranged on a formal system of levels. The varying ground lines held groups of figures bound together by themes such as love, destiny or friendship.