The ambiguous Omphale. Symbolic representation and reception of Omphale in Roman art from the late Republic to the end of the Severan period.
(2024) ARKM24 20241Classical archaeology and ancient history
- Abstract
- This thesis examines the imagery of the mythological character Omphale in Roman art, from the late Republic to the end of the Severan period; in a qualitative collection of images containing sculptures, wall paintings, jewellery and gemstones. This myth portrays a rather different, and somewhat provocative female character that was adapted from Greek mythology into Roman culture in the last century BCE, with a small but increasing popularity in art - which lasted in different executions and contexts. The aim of this study is to explore the significance and contemporary interpretation of the myth during antiquity, which could display different aspects of the story such as: female dominance over the male gender, switched gender roles, as... (More)
- This thesis examines the imagery of the mythological character Omphale in Roman art, from the late Republic to the end of the Severan period; in a qualitative collection of images containing sculptures, wall paintings, jewellery and gemstones. This myth portrays a rather different, and somewhat provocative female character that was adapted from Greek mythology into Roman culture in the last century BCE, with a small but increasing popularity in art - which lasted in different executions and contexts. The aim of this study is to explore the significance and contemporary interpretation of the myth during antiquity, which could display different aspects of the story such as: female dominance over the male gender, switched gender roles, as well as love and equality in a relationship.
The collection of images is analysed through the theoretical frameworks of semiotics and reception theory, in which the intent and purpose of the imagery as well as the possible reception of these are examined. Through the analysis, the collection of images are presented in groups based on material; which is followed by discussions regarding the contexts of the myth, timeline and changes in social constructions. The character, along with the symbolic display of dominance within the images, seems to have conveyed different aspects of Omphale's involvement in the myth of Hercules, which would likely be received by its audience in different manners. There also seemed to have been a change in the attitude towards the character during the first and second century CE, which occurred in correlation with the revival of Hercules along with a changing attitude toward the East. However, the character did not seem to gain any wider recognition in the imagery of the public sphere, and would mostly occur in the private contexts of home and funerary settings during this period. The myth did display female power which could not have gone unnoticed to the viewer - neither female nor male - which at that time likely would communicate a sort of feminism to the contemporary audience. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9171553
- author
- Engbe, Matilda LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- ARKM24 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Omphale, Roman art, myth, semiotics, reception, gender, feminism
- language
- English
- id
- 9171553
- date added to LUP
- 2024-11-19 14:22:46
- date last changed
- 2024-11-19 14:22:46
@misc{9171553,
abstract = {{This thesis examines the imagery of the mythological character Omphale in Roman art, from the late Republic to the end of the Severan period; in a qualitative collection of images containing sculptures, wall paintings, jewellery and gemstones. This myth portrays a rather different, and somewhat provocative female character that was adapted from Greek mythology into Roman culture in the last century BCE, with a small but increasing popularity in art - which lasted in different executions and contexts. The aim of this study is to explore the significance and contemporary interpretation of the myth during antiquity, which could display different aspects of the story such as: female dominance over the male gender, switched gender roles, as well as love and equality in a relationship.
The collection of images is analysed through the theoretical frameworks of semiotics and reception theory, in which the intent and purpose of the imagery as well as the possible reception of these are examined. Through the analysis, the collection of images are presented in groups based on material; which is followed by discussions regarding the contexts of the myth, timeline and changes in social constructions. The character, along with the symbolic display of dominance within the images, seems to have conveyed different aspects of Omphale's involvement in the myth of Hercules, which would likely be received by its audience in different manners. There also seemed to have been a change in the attitude towards the character during the first and second century CE, which occurred in correlation with the revival of Hercules along with a changing attitude toward the East. However, the character did not seem to gain any wider recognition in the imagery of the public sphere, and would mostly occur in the private contexts of home and funerary settings during this period. The myth did display female power which could not have gone unnoticed to the viewer - neither female nor male - which at that time likely would communicate a sort of feminism to the contemporary audience.}},
author = {{Engbe, Matilda}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{The ambiguous Omphale. Symbolic representation and reception of Omphale in Roman art from the late Republic to the end of the Severan period.}},
year = {{2024}},
}