Mask of Polyphemus

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This terracotta mask of Polyphemus was scanned at the entrance of a house in a small Sicilian village, there the myth of the cyclopes Polyphemus is a big part of peoples heritage. Many of these masks portraying the Greek myth’s protagonist can be found around the island. You might remember Polyphemus for being the cyclopes who killed Acis, Galatea’s lover. Galatea was a Sicilian Nereid who fell in love with the young boy who was then killed by the jealous cyclopes. Polyphemus is mostly known for being the responsible of casting the hero Odysseus ashore on the coast of Sicily. Odysseus was then shut up with his companions in Polyphemus’ cave. The hero was finally able to save himself and the companions by blinding the giant while after having drunk too much, had no strength to beat Odysseus.