Roman Mosaic Depicting Meleager and Atalanta

Meleager is shown seated at left with Atalanta standing right, both holding spears and surrounded by a meander border. The former was the son of Oeneus, king of the Aetolians. According to Homer, while on an embassy to Achilles Oeneus forgot to sacrifice to Artemis; who, in her anger, sent the huge Calydonian boar to ravage Aetolia. On a hunting party to rid themselves of the menace, Meleager succeeded in killing the beast with the help of Artemis’s own companion Atalanta, with whom he had fallen in love. This affection is shown on the mosaic as the lovely huntress gently touches the leg of Meleager who looks up at her adoringly. She wears a tunic bare at the shoulders with a portion of a cloak slipping down over her left arm, as she steps forward crossing her legs. Fine touches of artistry are seen in the folds of the clothing, shadows on the structures, and particularly the various coloration delineating Meleager’s muscular torso– all combining to create a very attractive scene.