La figura di Circe. Omero e tradizione iconografica

Kirke’s transformation of men into animals is depicted on nearly fifteen attic vases in the VIth and Vth century. These images reveal a clear development in their composition, whose reasons have been explored. In the earliest representations much of the attention is devoted to Kirke’s character, surrounded by transformed men in a festive mood, showing signs of joy as a reaction to Kirke’s poison. Odysseus is absent or in a corner of the composition, without taking part in the action. The scenes dating between the end of the VIth century and the beginning of the Vth show a progressive interest in Odysseus, presented as an opponent of Kirke: the two characters face each other and none of them seems to prevail. In the middle of the Vth century the situation is reversed and Odysseus is presented as a winner against Kirke, who runs away dropping her magic weapons. This evolution in the iconography may be related to a progressive influence of the Odyssey in Greek culture: the earliest scenes seem to be related to a generic folktale legend, while the most recent ones show a more evident intention to follow the story as narrated in the Homeric Odyssey.