Illustration to the Iliad 1795

John Flaxman crafted this line engraving as an illustration to Homer’s Iliad. Note the figures of Helen, Paris, and Hector. Paris, marked by his Phrygian cap and contemplative pose, stands in stark contrast to Hector, the armed warrior poised with spear in hand. This spear, an age-old symbol of power and authority, echoes through millennia, seen in ancient Egyptian art and later in the Roman Empire. Yet, here, it is not merely a weapon, but also a marker of Hector's role as protector of Troy, a defender of its walls and its honor. Observe Paris, with his hand to his chin; the embodiment of indecision and internal conflict. His languid posture and averted gaze hint at the turmoil within, a stark contrast to the martial prowess and unwavering duty of his brother, Hector. This very posture, with its roots in classical antiquity, resurfaces throughout the ages, each time bearing the weight of introspection. Thus, the image captures a moment laden with choices and consequences, resonating with the ebb and flow of human destiny.