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Lot Essay
Omphale was a Lydian queen, and thus a barbarian in the eyes of the Greeks, due to her Eastern origin. After Herakles killed Iphitus he appealed to Apollo for purification. When the god would not give an answer, he proceeded to carry off his tripod, proclaiming he would found an oracle of his own. Zeus intervened, and Apollo declared that Herakles could be purified if he was sold into slavery. Omphale was the buyer, who sent him on various labors, and also, according to some writers, forced him to do women's work.
In art Omphale and Herakles are often shown in reverse roles, with the queen sporting the hero's attributes, the Nemean lionskin and his club. On gems she typically is shown with both attributes, and sometimes coupled with Herakles in an erotic embrace. See for example nos. 71-77 in J. Boardman, "Omphale," in LIMC, vol. VII. On the cameo presented here Omphale is depicted more modestly, completely enveloped in her garments, but still standing in the same pose with the club over her shoulder.
In art Omphale and Herakles are often shown in reverse roles, with the queen sporting the hero's attributes, the Nemean lionskin and his club. On gems she typically is shown with both attributes, and sometimes coupled with Herakles in an erotic embrace. See for example nos. 71-77 in J. Boardman, "Omphale," in LIMC, vol. VII. On the cameo presented here Omphale is depicted more modestly, completely enveloped in her garments, but still standing in the same pose with the club over her shoulder.