Frescoes depicting Theseus the Liberator and the Centaur at the Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy

Theseus, liberator of the Athenians, Pompeii, House of Gavius Rufus

Fresco – Water-based pigments on coating (97 × 88 cm) 45–79 AD

Theseus the Liberator Androgeus, son of the famous Cretan king Minos, had been cowardly murdered after taking part in and winning a contest held in Athens.

Minos immediately went to war to avenge him, and decided to punish the defeated Athenians with a particularly cruel treaty.

Every nine years, the Athenians had to send him seven young boys and seven young girls destined to be lost in the labyrinth where they met their deaths upon encountering the Minotaur, a monster with the body of a man and the head of a bull.

When it came time to send children for the third time, Theseus volunteered to accompany them, vowing to kill the Minotaur to put an end to this horrific human sacrifice.

Theseus the Liberator Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, had fallen in love the moment she laid eyes on the handsome Theseus, who was already regarded as a hero in Greece.

Theseus made his way deep into the labyrinth by unravelling the ball of thread given to him by Ariadne, which enabled him to find his way back after completing his feat.

Theseus brought back the lifeless body of the Minotaur which lies in a pool of blood at the entrance to the labyrinth; he occupies the centre of the fresco, in the statuesque pose of the hero with his club on his shoulder whilst two young Athenians show their gratitude to him.

The first on the left kisses his right hand, the second is kneeling to kiss his feet, whilst the Cretans keep their distance, observing the Minotaur with curiosity and apprehension.

Theseus, liberator of the Athenians, Herculaneum, Augusteum

Theseus the Liberator Fresco – Water-based pigments on coating – 45–79 AD

This victory scene was inspired by a work from the 4th century BC.

Theseus appears in the elegant pose of a handsome athlete following his victory over the Minotaur.

He has brought back the Minotaur, which he has placed at the entrance to the labyrinth in full view of the young Athenians, who express to him their joy and gratitude.

A young boy has seized his right arm to kiss it whilst another crouches down, clasping his leg to kiss his knee.

Theseus the Liberator Theseus’s face remains serene as he turns towards the young women, one of whom clings to his left arm whilst the other touches and admires the club that struck and killed the monster lying on its back.

From childhood, Theseus dreamed of emulating the exploits of Hercules ; which he certainly did : whilst travelling the road from his hometown to Athens, he had killed the bandits who threatened and murdered travellers.

After facing and killing Corynthus (the man with the club) at Epidaurus, Theseus had kept the club and never parted with it, just as Hercules had kept the skin of the Nemean lion.

Theseus and the Centaur, Herculaneum

Painting – Wax on marble (35 × 50 cm) 20 BC – 37 AD

This fresco painted in wax on marble, in a good state of preservation, is remarkable for its dynamism and the way the poses are enhanced by the beauty of the drawing.