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Parthenope, Ulysses When we had got within earshot of the land, and the ship was going at a good rate, the Sirens saw that we were getting in shore and began with their singing.'Come here,' they sang, 'renowned Ulysses, honour to the Achaean name, and listen to our two voices. No one ever sailed past us without staying to hear the enchanting sweetness of our song—and he who listens will go on his way not only charmed, but wiser, for we know all the ills that the gods laid upon the Argives and Trojans before Troy, and can tell you everything that is going to happen over the whole world.'
I have found what I understand is the only piece of
ancient sculpture in Naples depicting the siren,
Parthenope. It is a small bust, and is located on the
premises of the Municipio, the City Hall. It was
recovered from the site of the original Greek
acropolis of the city of Neapolis, on the height
across from today's Piazza Cavour. That location is
not currently an active archaeological site, and it
has been covered with centuries of construction, most
recently various departments of the University of
Naples Medical School. On the historic map of
the city (click here) you
would start at #37 and walk up the hill (towards the
top of the map). (There is also a modern
statue of Parthenope in Naples.) to portal index for
literature |
Like most of my
generation, I got my classical education from the
venerable Classic Comics. I grew up thinking that most
of that ancient Greek stuff happened—well, over in
Greece somewhere. Little did I know that the episode
of the Sirens took place in these waters. There are
tiny rocks sticking up out of the water on the