Sarcophagus Relief with Orestes and Iphigenia

myminifactory

This relief portrays pivotal moments from Euripedes' tragic play, Iphigenia in Taurus. The story centers around Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, who was destined to be sacrificed to appease the goddess Artemis. However, at the last minute, Artemis intervenes and takes Iphigenia to serve as a priestess in King Thoas's kingdom of Taurus. As part of her duties, Iphigenia is tasked with ritually sacrificing any foreign invaders who arrive there. Eventually, her brother Orestes and his friend Pylades journey to Taurus, seeking to atone for killing their mother to avenge their father's death. Iphigenia initially fails to recognize them but eventually realizes their identity and devises a plan to escape with Orestes and Pylades. The scenes depicted on the relief include: Iphigenia recognizing Orestes and Pylades, Orestes standing before his impending sacrifice, and Iphigenia accompanying Orestes and Pylades as they confront King Thoas.