Gallery

Etruscan King Porsena and Caius Mutius Scaevola

Posted by Phersu on 08 Aug 2017, 10:08

The famous legend is based on real facts, despite evidently faked in the conclusion and consequences... it tells about the Etruscans siege of Rome and the young Roman Caius Mutius, who sneaked in the Etruscan camp to kill the Etruscan King Porsena, a killing attempt that failed because Mutius mistaken the scribe for the King himself, due the scribe's rich luxury clothes.
Immediately arrested for the murder of the scribe, Mutius then was bring in front to Porsena, and he put his right hand in a brazier to "punish the hand that failed", and apparently Porsena forgave him for his bravery.
To thank the merciful Porsena, Mutius warned him about the 300 other young Romans ready to attempt to murder him... at this point, according to the Roman legend, Porsena was so impressd to abandon the siege of Rome and retreat.

Image

There are several interpretations, however Porsena didn't seem to be really impressed at all, as the historicians agree he actually conquered Rome after all, and ruled the town himself for quite a while, instead to restore Lucius Tarquinus Superbus, who was the last legitimate Etruscan king of Rome and just dethroned.
And from that moment Caius Mutius was called "Scaevola" which means "left handed".

Image

Further than King Lars Porsena and Caius Mutius, I imagined was present also Arruns Porsena (Arunte-Arnth Pursena) unsheating the Machaira and ready to protect his father.
And of course the two Guards that arrested Mutius.
In the background of the scene of course, in another room of the large King's tent, the murdered Scribe couldn't be missing!

Image
User avatar
Phersu  Italy

In memoriam
 
Posts: 706
Member since:
15 May 2009, 19:13


Posted by C M Dodson on 08 Aug 2017, 10:16

Very nice and very different.

Chris
C M Dodson  United Kingdom
 
Posts: 2568
Member since:
01 May 2015, 18:48

Posted by Graeme on 08 Aug 2017, 13:18

These figures have come together into a really nice scene that tells a good story.

The tent, rush floors and hot coals look fabulous!
User avatar
Graeme  Australia
 
Posts: 1565
Member since:
27 Nov 2015, 02:39

Posted by Bluefalchion on 08 Aug 2017, 13:47

Are you going to enter this diorama in any contests? It is really quite fabulous.
User avatar
Bluefalchion  United States of America
 
Posts: 3575
Member since:
23 Dec 2010, 07:57

Posted by sberry on 08 Aug 2017, 15:16

Fabulous is the right word to describe the scene, indeed.
User avatar
sberry  Germany
 
Posts: 932
Member since:
12 Mar 2010, 20:37

Posted by Wiking on 08 Aug 2017, 15:40

Great modeling of a historian situation.
The idea with the cut tent is well done.
Figure and pose are fine made an arranged.
Great craftsmanship.
User avatar
Wiking  Germany
 
Posts: 2825
Member since:
14 Sep 2015, 10:03

Help keep the forum online!
or become a supporting member

Posted by Bill Slavin on 09 Aug 2017, 00:36

Agreed. Really nice treatment of an original subject.
User avatar
Bill Slavin  Canada

Supporting Member (Bronze) Supporting Member (Bronze)
 
Posts: 1289
Member since:
24 Oct 2016, 14:55

Posted by Susofrick on 09 Aug 2017, 07:51

This is marvelous!
User avatar
Susofrick  Sweden
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 7678
Member since:
19 Feb 2008, 12:10

Posted by Cryns on 09 Aug 2017, 10:26

Oh yes I am astonished too dear Phersu!

I think this is one of the most beautiful scenes you ever made and showed to us.
And thank you for writing the historical background.
User avatar
Cryns  Netherlands

Supporting Business Supporting Business
 
Posts: 1254
Member since:
11 Nov 2015, 15:33

Posted by Beano Boy on 09 Aug 2017, 12:09

Great Story :thumbup: Coupled with Smashing Work. :thumbup: BB
Beano Boy  England
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 8083
Member since:
03 Sep 2013, 14:45

Posted by Phersu on 09 Aug 2017, 19:51

Thank you my friends!
Indeed it was it was something that particularly inspired me... I dreamed it for ages, so I put all my effort in doing this!
Of course my favorite character is Porsenna, one of the few well known Etruscans characters, and one of the few "enemies" of Rome which the Romans depicted as honorable and merciful... so much embarrassing that they had to invent the quite evident lie of his retreat! :mrgreen:
Still referred to him, it's quite curious and interesting also the story of Cloelia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloelia

And apparently was some kind of fate for me... :xd: when I was 7 or 8 I actually had to play the role of Mutius in a funny parody recitation at school! :mrgreen:

Bluefalchion wrote:Are you going to enter this diorama in any contests? It is really quite fabulous.


Sure I will... :yeah:
Unfortuntely it wasn't ready in time for Kulmbach, just for a couple of days, damn! :mad:
Otherwise I would had given it to Massimo, like the "This is Sparta" little scene which he will bring there... ;-) despite unfortunately I can't come personally. :(

And here some more images... ;-)

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
User avatar
Phersu  Italy

In memoriam
 
Posts: 706
Member since:
15 May 2009, 19:13

Posted by Bluefalchion on 09 Aug 2017, 20:24

Love that floor. Portable reed mats I suppose? Also, seeing an open mouth with teeth visible at this scale impressed me.
User avatar
Bluefalchion  United States of America
 
Posts: 3575
Member since:
23 Dec 2010, 07:57

Posted by Susofrick on 10 Aug 2017, 07:11

The new images just makes it more marvelous! And as so often in this forum you get to know a little more. Didn't know this story so this was very interesting!
User avatar
Susofrick  Sweden
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 7678
Member since:
19 Feb 2008, 12:10

Posted by Cryns on 10 Aug 2017, 09:21

I love your painting style.

A very lively mixture of paint and ink, drybrush, matt and gloss, all in very credible ancient colors.
User avatar
Cryns  Netherlands

Supporting Business Supporting Business
 
Posts: 1254
Member since:
11 Nov 2015, 15:33

Posted by Zed1 on 10 Aug 2017, 20:56

Living history. This is really, really, really great.
Thank you so much for telling us that story with text and in pictures.
User avatar
Zed1  Germany
 
Posts: 1302
Member since:
17 Jan 2011, 14:25

Posted by Kekso on 11 Aug 2017, 17:26

Great work, great story.
User avatar
Kekso  Croatia

Moderator Moderator
Supporting Member (Bronze) Supporting Member (Bronze)
 
Posts: 6837
Member since:
19 Oct 2011, 18:32

Help keep the forum online!
or become a supporting member

Posted by Xantippos on 12 Aug 2017, 07:08

That's a story I didn't know! beautiful diorama. My favourite is the figure of King Porsenna. Great job all around.

The dead scribe is also wonderful!
User avatar
Xantippos  
 
Posts: 581
Member since:
21 May 2013, 12:00

Posted by sansovino on 12 Aug 2017, 10:41

Great diorama, painting and scenery, thanks for posting! It´s only very special scene that I doubt you will find much buyers for the new figures.
sansovino  Germany
 
Posts: 789
Member since:
27 Mar 2014, 21:42

Posted by MABO on 20 Oct 2017, 20:57

So nice to see the scenery for your great set!
User avatar
MABO  Europe
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 9127
Member since:
12 May 2008, 18:01

Posted by Santi Pérez on 21 Oct 2017, 19:23

As always, Phersu, a first class work: amazing figures, great detail and excellent composition. :yeah:

Best regards. Santi.
User avatar
Santi Pérez  Spain
 
Posts: 1857
Member since:
28 Aug 2016, 19:42

Next page

Return to Gallery