The Death of Priam

The scene portrayed is tumultuous and horrible. The Greek Neottolemus (or Pyrrhus), Achilles’ son, after having entered the palace raises his right arm holding the dagger and with his left hand lifts the king of Troy Priam’s head by the hair. In the forefront one can see the lifeless body of Polite, Priam’s son who has just been killed by Neottolemus. The youngster’s lifeless body rests against the shield. The latter’s helmet and Priam’s lance are lying abandoned on the floor. The daughters beg him not to kill their father, some of them with their arms extended and other with their faces covered not to see. Hecuba the queen destroyed by pain, rests her head on the bosom of one of the daughters.