Find Spot: Chiusi

Date of Illustration: Second century BCE

Description: An illustration from a much-later period (250-225 BCE), from Chiusi, a U-shaped cornu is shown (top right-hand corner of image) being played in a battle scene. The portrayal is of a Seven Against Thebes scene and it cannot be said whether it is a portrayal of contemporary practice, rather than an anachronistic rendering of an ancient theme by a 2nd century BCE artist. However, as this portrayal is of a battle scene, it may be that the use of the U-shaped form was continued in the military long after the development of the larger more-curved instruments seen in ensembles. Seven Against Thebes is the third play in an Oedipus-themed trilogy produced by the Greek author Aeshylus in 467 BCE. References to the tale, both written and graphic, are more common in Greek sources. Aeschylus does not describe a scene like this in his play and does not refer to any instrument which might be construed as a cornu of any sort but does refer to one of the seven champions, Tydeus, who awaits the call of the salpinx before engaging in battle:

Yet Tydeus, raging and eager for battle, shouts like a serpent hissing at high noon, and lashes skilled Oecles’ son, with the taunt that he cringes in cowardice before death and battle. …… Raving so in his arrogant armor, he shouts beside the river-bank, craving battle, like some charger that fiercely champs at the bit as he waits in eagerness for the salpinx’s war-cry.

Citations: N/A image was sent following a talk at the BM

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