72 ACCOUNTS, ETC., OF THE BKITISH MUSEUM. 



I. — Greek Vase. 



Fictile crater, with a painting signed by the artist Python. 

 Alcmena is seated on a pyre, to which fire is put by Amphi- 

 tryon and Antenor. Alcmena appeals to Zeus, who is partly 

 visible in the upper portion of the scene. He has hurled his 

 thunderbolts at Amphitryon and Antenor, and two Hyades 

 pour water to extinguish the flames. The vase also contains 

 a remarkable representation of a rainbow, and drops of rain 

 falling on the pyre (Nouvelles Annales, 1837, pi. 10 ; Journ. 

 of Hellen. Studies, XI., p. 225, pi. vi.). On the reverse is a 

 scene of Dionysos and Mfenads (Journ. of Hellen. Studies, 

 XI., pi. vii.). 



II. — Engraved Gems. 



1-77. Greek and Rodman Caoneos : — 



1. Large sardonyx : bust of Julia, daughter of Augustus, 

 as Diana, with quiver behind shoulder ; wears diadem 

 (sphendone), earring, and drapery on bust. Height 5 in. [For 

 coin of Julia in this character, see Bernoulli, Rom. Iconogr. 

 II., p. 127; pi. 32, No. 1.5.] 



2. Large sardonyx : busts of Julia, daughter of Augustus, 

 as Minerva, and of Livia as Juno, both in profile to right. 

 Julia, in the upper layer of the stone, wears helmet, a^gis, and 

 drapery ; Livia wears diadem {sphendont) and drapery. This 

 gem has been broken and mounted on an agate back. Height, 

 exclusive of backing, 3 in. 



3. Onyx in two layers : bust of Diana in profile to right ; 

 behind, a quiver ; on head a crescent ; hair and drapery in the 

 brown layer of the stone ; flesh, quiver, and crescent in the 

 bluish layer ; mounted on blue enamel. Height If in. 



4. Onyx, fragmentary : head of Tiberius or Augustus to 

 front ; laureate ; nose restored. 



5. Sardonyx : head of Julius Ca3sar to right ; nose injured. 



6. Onyx : mask of Medusa, in the white layer of the stone ; 

 serpents knotted under chin. Diam. 2^ in. 



7. Sardonyx, small : mask of Satyr to front ; bearded ; 

 ivy-wreath with two rosettes on brow. 



8. Sardonyx, small : Cupid pulling goose by neck ; drapery 

 floats behind. 



9. Onyx, fragmentary: Bacchus on panther to right; his 

 left arm round its neck, the hand holding cantharus to 

 mouth of _ panther ; right hand holds thyrsus ; head of 

 Bacchus, his feet, and feet of panther wanting. 



10. Onyx, fragmentary: Selene (?) driving chariot to left; 

 only one horse remains, 



11. Onyx 



