GALLUS AS TRIPTOLEMOS ON THE TAZZA FARNESE
In a paper delivered at a 1976 conference in Berlin on Ptolemaic Egypt, I proposed a new interpretation of the scene on the
1
Tazza Farnese. I suggested that the scene expressed Egyptian resentment at their conquest by the Romans. Later, when I discussed
the subject with Frank Gilliam at Princeton, he encouraged me to
pursue the investigation, and in this I have found a helpful collaborator in Ludwig Koenen. Together we present this paper with
our warmest affection for Frank Gilliam, our longtime friend and
colleague.
The discussion is divided into three sections: (I) An archaeological analysis of the Tazza Farnese; (II) The adaptation of
Hellenized Egyptian thought (in three parts): (a) The ruler as
giver of the Nile flood and prosperity, (b) Gallus and the beginning of Roman rule in Egypt, and (c) The enrichment of temples in
one of the new epigrams by Gallus; (III) The interpretation of the
scene on the Tazza Farnese. Each section is initialed by its
principal author, but we share responsibility for all the opinions
expressed.
1 Das ptolemaische Agypten, Akten d. Intern. Symp. 27-29 September 1976 in Berlin, Deutsches Arch. Inst. (Mainz, 1978). "The
Tazza Farnese Reconsidered," 113-22 (hereafter cited as Ptol.
Agypt.). For a detailed analysis of each argument, briefly summarized here, see this article. In anticipation of our collaboration
on the present article, L. Koenen alluded to part of my later views
of the above article in his paper, "Adaptation der agyptischen
Kbnigsideologie am Ptolemaerhof," published in The Hellenistic
World (Proceedings of the International Colloquium at Leuven, May
1982) in Studia Hellenistica (1983) 143-90 (hereafter, "Agypt.
Kbnigsideol.").
Since the present article was written, a new book has appeared
by Eugenio La Rocca, L'Eta d'Oro di Cleopatra, Indagine sulla Tazza
Farnese (Rome 1984). It contains rich commentary on many aspects
of the vase, but considers that the subject deals with the aurea
aetas and does not discuss any possible connections with Gallus.
Since certain pictures are excellent and certain comments illuminating, we have added at the last moment a few useful references in
our notes. La Rocca believes the Tazza may have been ordered as a
gift to Cleopatra either at their great celebration for the annexation of Syria in 37 B.C. (p. 93) or, another hypothesis (p. 94), at the
triumph held by Anthony in 34 B.C. on his return from Armenia. La
Rocca himself recognizes difficulties in both dates. Our dating,
only four years later, does in no way quarrel with stylistic matters, but offers a simpler explanation.
I take this opportunity to thank M. Gigante who had a detail
in Triptolemos' face checked for me on the original in Naples.
Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists 21.1-4 (1984) 111-156.
