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HOME :
Decorative Arts :
Masterpieces : Bust of Menelaus on a Pedestal
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Bust of Menelaus on a Pedestal - OF.153
Origin: Europe
Circa: 1700
AD
to 1800
AD
Dimensions:
5.25" (13.3cm) high
x 2" (5.1cm) wide
Collection: Decorative Art
Medium: Aquamarine, Beryl
Additional Information: as
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
Menelaus was the son of Atreus and the brother
of
Agamemnon. He was married to Helen, and
became
the ruler of Helen's homeland, Lacedaemon; the
couple had a daughter, Hermione. Helen's
abduction
by Paris, the son of King Priam of Troy, was the
cause of the Trojan War.
Menelaus fought bravely at Troy, although he did
not occupy as important a position as his brother
Agamemnon, who was the commander-in-chief of
the Greek forces. At one point he agreed to settle
the conflict by single combat with Paris, but
Aphrodite interfered to prevent the duel from
being
decisive, and Athene prompted a resumption of
hostilities.
During his return from Troy, Menelaus' ships were
becalmed on the island of Pharos, near Egypt. In
order to discover what he should do to obtain fair
winds for the journey, Menelaus had to consult
Proteus, the old man of the sea. He waited until
Proteus had gone to sleep among his herd of
seals
and then seized him tightly. Proteus changed into
many shapes in an attempt to escape, but
Menelaus
perservered, refusing to let go. Finally Proteus,
unable to get free, agreed to answer Menelaus'
questions truthfully. He described the sacrifices
necessary to appease the gods and gain safe
passage across the sea, as well as revealing that
the
gods would transport Menelaus to Elysium at the
end of his mortal life.
Menelaus eventually returned safely to
Lacedaemon,
where he and Helen apparently settled back into
happily married life.
- (OF.153)
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