Frescoes depicting the Myth of Marsyas, Olympus, at the Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy

The Myth of Marsyas, Pompeii, Casa della Regina Margherita

Fresco - Water-based pigments on coating (100 × 80 cm) 25–45 AD

The Myth of Marsyas The fresco summarises the story of Marsyas, the satyr who picked up and played the flute thrown away by Athena, and who dared to challenge Apollo's lyre in a musical contest.

On the left, Marsyas leans over from the top of a rock to see a young woman standing in the water holding a circular mirror in front of Athena who is playing the flute, which she throws down, cursing her when she sees her cheeks distort as she blows.

Behind the girl, Marsyas walks away, taking the flute with him.

He can then be seen in the middle of the fresco, viewed from behind, blowing cheerfully on the double flute while walking; he rises and approaches Apollo, dressed in gold and accompanied by the Muses, on the right, where the musical contest won by Apollo will take place.

The Myth of Marsyas

The Punishment of Marsyas, Herculaneum

Fresco - Water-based pigments on Coating (16 × 51 cm) 45–79 AD

Apollo is seated on the left side of the fresco, with his lyre in his left hand and the plectrum for striking the strings in his right hand.

Apollo won the contest between Greek lyre music and Phrygian, Eastern music, played on the flute of Marsyas.

Fresco The Torture of Marsyas, Herculaneum, Archaeological Museum of Naples

The Torture of Marsyas One of the Muses who presided over the contest stands near him to present him with the victor's crown.

Marsyas had challenged the god of music, who accepted on condition that the victor could dispose of the vanquished as he wished.

Apollo decided to punish Marsyas for his audacity by having him flayed alive, hung from a tree: Olympus, the son of Marsyas, kneels to beg for mercy, while behind him, the executioner prepares to carry out the sentence with his knife.

Poor Marsyas is tied to the tree with his flute at his feet, lamenting his sad fate:

„Ah! How I repent! Ah! A flute is not worth such a high price!”

Such were his last words, as quoted by Ovid, who then described the atrocity of the flute player's torment, mourned profusely by his family and by the fauns, satyrs, woodland deities and shepherds.

Fresco of Marsyas teaching music to the gods of Olympus, Herculaneum, Augsteum, Archaeological Museum of Naples

Olympus and Marsyas The clearest river in Phrygia, called the Marsyas, is said to have been born from their tears.

Marsyas teaching Olympus music, Herculaneum, Augsteum