HeraclesOmphaleANCIENT

HeraclesOmphaleANCIENT_Pompeii

The figurative emasculation of Hercules and the empowerment of Omphale is depicted in the various objects. The traditional depiction emphasizes Heracles' spinning of wool; here, he is decidedly emasculated, reclining cross-dressed in a slinky white frock. Is Hercules the object of his mistress's gaze (probably?), or does the abduction of his weapons capture her attention? In the space between the Omphale and Hercules, little erotes grapple comically with the hero's mighty club as they hoist it toward Omphale. Two others have achieved the conquest of the hero's quiver.

Hercules' scandalous role-reversal in Omphale's hands 'is also treated thus in Ovid's Ars Amatoria 2.217-24: "That hero who outlasted his step-mother's putting monsters in his way and gained heaven, which he earlier held on his own shoulders; people believe that he joined Ionian girls, that he grasped the distaff and carded slubby wool. / The hero of Tiryns obeyed the command of his mistress! Come, consider whether you wouldn't also endure what Heracles endured!" (RTM trans.)