Leon of Messalia

…… column’s carven cap. Euripides, Orestes Diokles had talked about the masonry being prepared in the yards below the Akropolis and invited Leon to come and look round. He called…Read More >

… with cord pulled taut, The mason draws his line. Sophokles, The House of Atreus It was a hot day and Leon had climbed to the Akropolis, where the air…Read More >

A great necklace strung with Golden threads. Homeric Hymn 3.103–104 A few days after Leon had visited the gem cutter, he met him in the marketplace. They exchanged greetings and…Read More >

The tall cliffs high above the sea, Their bases deep in foam. Sophokles, Ajax Antikles had promised Leon to take him to a friend who was an engraver of gems….Read More >

I saw, one day, a-gathering flowers, A dainty little maid. Sappho Later that day Thalia asked a favour of Leon. Everyone said she should go to the temple of Niké…Read More >

… suddenly The solid earth beneath our feet Trembled and quaked Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 46 Leon was dreaming. He was on board ship and the weather was rough. He…Read More >

Those Athenian coins, Finely engraved, well struck, Acknowledged the world over By Greek and by Barbarian, We make no more. Instead Base copper and poor dies Are now our counters….Read More >

The maddened Bacchanal, Holding aloft her pine-tipped wand, Whirls round and round in dizzy step. Euripides, The Bacchanals Leon was tired from his day’s outing. His guide had taken him…Read More >

Dionysos! What deity is he? Euripides, The Cyclops 520 Leon awoke from a deep sleep to find the sun shining into the courtyard. The inn was strangely quiet after the…Read More >

The gods, a stranger made me, Remote from my dear land. Euripides, Helen 690–95 It was late afternoon when the ship reached the Piraeus, Athens’ harbour. Small boats quickly surrounded…Read More >