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A fresco depicting the banquet and death of Sophonisba at the Archaeological Museum of Naples in Italy
The Death of Sophonisba, Pompeii, House of Joseph II
Fresco – Water-based pigments on coating (78 × 112 cm) 20–25 ADSophonisba was a Carthaginian woman who, in 206 BC, was forced by her father to marry Syphax, the Numidian ruler. This union was intended to forge an alliance to counter the Romans in Numidia.
Massinissa, prince of Eastern Numidia, had instead allied himself with the Roman consul Scipio Africanus.
Syphax then decided to invade Massinissa’s territories. However, it was Massinissa who ultimately prevailed.
The Death of Sophonisba He captured Syphax and seized the city of Cirta, where Queen Sophonisba resided. She was then forced to surrender to the victor.
Massinissa fell in love with her and decided to marry her on the spot to spare her the humiliation of being taken to Rome as a slave.
But Scipio feared that the beautiful woman might succeed in turning Massinissa against Rome. He therefore decided to take her prisoner against Massinissa’s advice.
To prevent Sophonisba from being deported to Rome, chained as a slave, Massinissa is said to have provided her with poison.
This painting depicts the moment when Sophonisba prepares to drink the poisoned cup.
The scene takes place in the sumptuous setting of a palace with large columns from which drapery hangs, behind which stand the statue of Bacchus on the left and that of Apollo on the right.
The Death of Sophonisba A group of figures surrounds the lady dressed in a golden-yellow gown, who is comfortably seated on a ‘Klinai’ covered with a turquoise-green mattress and purple cushions.
She holds a silver cup in her right hand, and wears the same wreath of flowers as her companion sitting behind her, who affectionately rests a hand on her shoulder.
She appears resigned as she holds out her cup towards the two imposing servants standing before her; one is bare-chested, carrying a large tray, whilst the other wears a tunic covered by a cloak fastened with a fibula.
The two young women in the background, dressed in colours matching the lady’s, are witnessing the scene; the one with dark skin looks at the cup with apprehension, whilst the other has her back turned.
The demeanour of the maidservants and that of the couple reveal the tragedy of a suicide by poisoning.
Mythology Achilles | Aeneas | Alcestis | Alexander | Aphrodite | Apollo | Arianne | Artemis | Ceres | Chryseis | Cupid | Daedalus | Dionysus | Dirce | Endymion | Flora | Galatea | Ganymede | Graces | Hephaestus | Hercules | Io Argos | Iphigenia | Isis | Leda | Marsyas | Medea | Nereids | Niobids | Odysseus | Pan | Paris | Perseus | Phaedra | Phrixus | Pirithous | Saturn | Satyrs | Sophonisba | Theseus | Troy | Zeus
Frescoes Mythology | Portraits | Life Leisure | Animals | Religion | Landscapes | Decoration
Artworks Sculptures | Frescoes | Eroticism
MANN Artworks | Schedule Tickets | Location | Authorizations
Museums Borbonica | MANN | Catacombs | Capodimonte | Royal | Jago | Neapolis | Diocesano | Martino | C.Elmo | Zevallos | Floridiana | Filangeri | C.Nuovo | Aquarium | Natural H. | Archivio | Pignatelli | Madre
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