Illustration to Odyssey 1793

John Flaxman created this pen and ink drawing, "Illustration to Odyssey," during a period when Europe was rediscovering and reimagining classical antiquity. The image depicts Zeus enthroned, flanked by Hermes and Athena, set against a backdrop of celestial symbols. Flaxman’s choice to illustrate Homer’s epic in a neoclassical style reflects the era’s fascination with ancient Greek ideals of heroism, democracy, and philosophy. Yet, this idealized vision often obscured the complex realities of the ancient world, including its reliance on slavery and patriarchal social structures. The image presents a pantheon of powerful male and female figures, and the narrative has been used to explore themes of fate, free will, and the human condition. But, how might our reading of "The Odyssey" shift if viewed through the eyes of those whose labor and lives were marginalized in these epic tales? What alternative narratives might emerge from the stories of enslaved people, women, and other silenced voices? Flaxman’s illustration invites us to consider both the enduring power of classical narratives and the importance of interrogating their underlying assumptions about power, identity, and justice.