Polyphemos reclining and holding a drinking bowl is a Late Classical terracotta figurine that was created in Boeotia, Greece in late 5th- early 4th century BCE. [1] The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston purchased the statue in December 1901 from E.P. Warren, who bought the terracotta figure in Paris in 1901, from a vendor who acquired it in Thebes. [2]
The terracotta figurine depicts Polyphemos, the Cyclops and antagonist of Odysseus in book nine of Homer’s Odyssey , as a dignified banqueter consuming wine. This figurine depicts the scene in the Odyssey where, in order to escape death, Odysseus tricks Polyphemos to become highly intoxicated. [3]
The figurine was discovered in the Kabirion sanctuary, which is situated near Thebes. [4] Every year, the sanctuary held a festival where performers parodied popular myths. [5] Polyphemos reclining and holding a drinking bowl reflects the presence and importance of humor in ancient Greek culture.
The figurine is a satirical image of the Cyclops by likening his act of binging on wine to an elite drinking wine while attending a symposium. It was common to mock Polyphemos within Greek art and literature, which is reflected by Euripides’ satirical play Cyclops .
Additionally, this terracotta figurine displays the traditional artistic portrayal of Cyclops during the Classical period. These characteristics include a pot belly, large ears, a large eye in the middle of the forehead, a bulbous nose, puffy lips, and fat cheeks.