The Chest of Cypselus at Olympia

• Section One

  Attic red-figure bell krater, Late Classical period, Drawing of Side A, left half Depiction of chariot race, sacrifice, Pelops and Oinomaos Collection: Museo Nazionale, Naples; Image from Furtwangler & Reichhold, plate 146

  Perhaps the best known of all the dedications of the family of Cypselus is the chest of Cypselus, described by Pausanias in great detail (Paus. 5.17.5 - 5.19.10). The "Cypselids," i.e., the descendants of Cypselus, set up the object as an offering at Olympia. Apparently commissioned by Cypselus himself, the chest was made of cedar-wood and the figures on it were made of gold, ivory and cedar. Mythological scenes represented on the chest include references to the Olympic games through allusions to Pelias and Oinomaos (Paus. 5.17.7). Tripods, as well, are set up as prizes for the athletic victors. Iolaos, who shared in the labors of Hercules, is shown in his chariot after he has won a victory.

  Attic red-figure pelike , Early Classical Eriphyle accepting the bribe from Polynices Collection: Lecce, Museo Provinciale Castromediano; Drawing by W. M. Cutler

  Other scenes on the chest illustrate the themes of deception and violence in love and adventure: Eriphyle, the wife of Amphiaraus, holding the necklace which she received as a bribe from Polynices while her angry husband departs; Zeus seducing Alcmena; Menelaos threatening Helen after the sack of Troy; and Herakles attempting to trick Atlas into giving him the apples of the Hesperides (Paus. 5.18.1).

  Pausanias interprets the military scenes on the third section of the chest as referring to the struggle of Cypselus' ancestors to become citizens of Corinth (Paus. 7.18.6 ff.). They might also refer to Cypselus' succesful efforts to gain power over Corinth, usurping the Bacchiadae.

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  Click on text links below to go to:

  Introduction
  Background: tyrants of archaic city-states
  Brief biography of Cypselus
  The Chest of Cypselus
  Other Dedications of Cypselus and the Cypselids at Pan-Hellenic sites
  Conclusion
  Bibliography

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