Ekphrasis
conceptEkphrasis was the literary description of a visual artwork — invented in Homer's description of Achilles' shield and still the foundation of art criticism.
The Myth
The Shield of Achilles (Iliad, Book 18) is the first and greatest ekphrasis in Western literature. Hephaestus forges a shield depicting the earth, sky, sea, two cities (one at peace, one at war), harvest, vintage, cattle, dance, and the stream of Ocean. Homer doesn't just describe images — he makes them move and live. Keats's "Ode on a Grecian Urn," Auden's "Musée des Beaux Arts," and every art review in every newspaper descend from this Homeric technique.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Every art review ever written — every attempt to describe a painting or sculpture in words — traces its lineage to Homer describing Achilles' shield.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Achilles
heroThe greatest warrior in the Greek army at Troy, nearly invulnerable thanks to being dipped in the...
Hephaestus
godThe divine blacksmith of Olympus, god of fire and the forge. Despite being lame, Hephaestus created...
Aegis
conceptThe aegis was a divine shield or breastplate belonging to Zeus and wielded by Athena, fringed with...
Aidos
conceptAidos was the Greek concept of shame, reverence, and the inner sense of propriety that restrained...
Ajax (Shield)
conceptAjax's shield was a massive tower shield of seven ox-hides layered with bronze — the largest...
Amazonomachy
conceptThe Amazonomachy was the legendary battle between the Athenians and the Amazons who invaded Athens...