Lot 848 D α

The scene depicted here is an episode from the lives of the brothers Kleobis and Biton, sons of Cydippe, a Priestess of Hera in Argos. When their mother had to travel to the temple to attend a feast in honour of her Goddess, the oxen which were to pull her cart were still needed in the fields, so the two brothers promptly took the yoke themselves and pulled the cart all the way to the temple. In thanks for what they had done, Cydippe prayed to Hera to bless her sons with the best gift that could be bestowed on any mortal. After the sacrificial feast was over the two lay down to rest, exhausted from their labours, but never awoke. The Goddess had blessed them with a quick and painless death in youth and beauty.