The Lesche of the Knidians: The Nekyia

Odysseus In Underworld, MFA Boston 34.79

Polygnotos' Nekyia painting in the Lesche of the Knidians was, like the Iliupersis, divided into three separate scenes by the physical division of the walls themselves. The first grouping, starting from the center of the north wall is the Boat of Charon and a father throttling his son (detail below). The water scene was integrated with the first grouping of the Iliupersis, the Ship of Menelaos. Odysseus is the center of the next grouping. These figures were grouped by Polygnotos by contrasting those who were fortunate with those who were ill-fated in love or marriage. (O'Donnell 1990: 219) . The west wall is the Achilles scene. Achilles stands in the center, surrounded by other virtuous figures. The south wall is divided into three scenes of the heroes of Troy: centered around Hektor, Paris and Sisyphos. The final scene of the tormented Sisyphos is paired with the opening scene of the Nekyia, the father and son grouping and introduces the theme of punishment. Polygnotos positioned the Trojan heroes under the Greek heroes and directly opposite Theseus and Peirithoos on the north wall. Again, the artist has deliberately emphasized a comparison based on a spatial relationship. This comparison emphasizes "the necessity of both a noble character and a just cause." (O'Donnell 1990: 227)