The Telephos Frieze on the south side of the courtyard: Telephos threatens the young Orestes

The Greeks immediately welcome the unknown visitor as a guest. When Telephos reveals himself, however, his life is so endangered that he has to seek asylum and immunity by throwing himself on the altar of the house. He takes the son of the house, young Orestes, as a hostage. The drama of the scene is palpable in the relief [...]. The altar is shown in perspective; Telephos sits upon it with splayed legs. He bends sharply forward and right, his head turned to the left. He holds the wriggling baby upside down under his left arm and threatens it with his right fist. His mantle falls down his back and billows over the altar. A flat band around his left thigh represents the bandage covering his wound. Telephos’ movement is repeated in the figure of the nurse, who sinks to her knees in shock beside the altar. Farther to the left is Agamemnon, recognisable as king by the sceptre in his left hand. His face is framed by long locks and reflects his agitation. Telephos’ wound is healed by a few shavings from the spear of Achilles. This scene is among the parts of the frieze that are now lost.