Persephone is also seen with Iacchos,[[207]] who, according to various accounts, was her son or brother. She appears with Aphrodite and Adonis,[[208]] and one vase is supposed to represent the dispute between her and Aphrodite over the latter, which was appeased by Zeus.[[209]]
The story of the rape of Persephone by Hades, her sojourn in the under-world, and her return to earth is also chiefly confined to the later vases, especially the incident of the rape.[[210]] In the elaborate representations of the under-world on late Apulian vases she generally stands or sits with Hades in a building in the centre.[[211]] She is often depicted in scenes representing the carrying off of Kerberos by Herakles,[[212]] or banqueting with Hades.[[213]] On both early and late vases Hermes, in his character of Psychopompos, is seen preparing to conduct her back from the nether world (see Plate [XLV].),[[214]] or actually on his way.[[215]] In another semi-mystical version of the return of Persephone, signifying the return of spring and vegetation, her head or part of her body emerges from the earth,[[216]] in one case accompanied by the head of Dionysos, whereat Satyrs and Maenads flee affrighted.[[217]] The interpretation of some of these scenes, however, has been much questioned.[[218]]
The number of vases with subjects representing the three Delphic deities—Apollo, Artemis, and Leto—is considerable. The appearances of Apollo, at any rate, are probably only exceeded in number by those of Athena, Dionysos, and Herakles. It is, in fact, impossible to make a complete enumeration of the groups in which Apollo occurs, and a general outline alone can be given.[[219]]
Apollo as a single figure is often found both on B.F. and R.F. vases, usually as Kitharoidos, playing his lyre; sometimes also he is distinguished by his bow.[[220]] As Kitharoidos he is usually represented standing,[[221]] but in some cases is seated.[[222]] He is sometimes accompanied by a hind[[223]] or a bull (Apollo Nomios?).[[224]] He is represented at Delphi seated on the Pythoness’ tripod,[[225]] or is seated at an altar,[[226]] or pours a libation.[[227]] He rides on a swan[[228]] or on a Gryphon,[[229]] and also crosses the sea on a tripod.[[230]] In some scenes he is characterised as Daphnephoros,[[231]] holding a branch of laurel, or is represented in the attitude associated with Apollo Lykeios, resting with one hand above his head.[[232]] In one scene the type of Apollo Kitharoidos closely resembles that associated with the sculptor Skopas.[[233]]
From Mon. dell’ Inst. ix.
FIG. 116. APOLLO, ARTEMIS, AND LETO.
When he is grouped with Artemis, the latter deity usually carries a bow and quiver,[[234]] or they pour libations to one another;[[235]] but more commonly they stand together, without engaging in any action. They are also depicted in a chariot.[[236]] More numerous are the scenes in which Leto is also included (as Fig. [116]), though she is not always to be identified with certainty.[[237]] In this connection may be noted certain scenes relating to Apollo’s childhood: his birth is once represented,[[238]] and on certain B.F. vases a woman is seen nursing two children (one painted black, the other white), which may denote Leto with her infants, though it is more probably a symbolic representation of Earth the Nursing-mother (Gaia Kourotrophos; see p. [73]).[[239]] Tischbein published a vase of doubtful authenticity, which represents Leto with the twins fleeing from the serpent Python at Delos[[240]]; but in two instances Apollo certainly appears in Leto’s arms, in one case shooting the Python with his bow.[[241]]
With these three is sometimes joined Hermes—in one instance at Delphi, as indicated by the presence of the omphalos[[242]]; or, again, Hermes appears with Apollo alone, or with Apollo and Artemis.[[243]] Poseidon is seen with Apollo, generally accompanied by Artemis and Hermes, also by Leto and other indeterminate female figures.[[244]] In conjunction with Athena, Apollo is found grouped with Hermes, Dionysos, Nike, and other female figures; also with Herakles.[[245]] With Aphrodite he is seen in toilet scenes, sometimes anointed by Eros.[[246]] In one case they are accompanied by Artemis and Hermes,[[247]] and on one vase Apollo is grouped with Zeus and with Aphrodite on her swan.[[248]] He accompanies the chariots of various deities, such as Poseidon, Demeter, and Athena,[[249]] especially when the latter conducts Herakles to heaven.[[250]]
Apollo, in one case, is associated with the local Nymph Kyrene on a fragment of a vase probably made in that colony.[[251]] He frequently receives libations from Nike,[[252]] and in one case is crowned by her.[[253]] With Nymphs and female figures of indeterminate character he occurs on many (chiefly B.F.) vases, sometimes as receiving a libation.[[254]] On several red-figured vases he is accompanied by some or all of the nine Muses, one representing their contest with Thamyris and Sappho.[[255]] He and Artemis are specially associated with marriage processions, whether of Zeus and Hera or of ordinary bridal couples.[[256]] Apollo also appears in a chariot drawn by a boar and a lion at the marriage of Kadmos and Harmonia.[[257]]