# @gettymuseum on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CHivyj9n67L
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/34229709-gettymuseum-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/5f280e14dd.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-11-13T19:37:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Getty (@gettymuseum) — https://gondola.cc/gettymuseum

## Caption

This Friday the 13th we're taking a look at ancient monsters as part of #ConnectingCollections! ⠀
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In this Roman wall painting from the Bay of Naples in Italy, two-winged sea monsters with the heads and foreparts of griffins serve as framing devices for a central floral element. Did you know the earliest depictions of griffins come from ancient Iran and spread throughout the Mediterranean?⠀
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Hybrid sea monsters also appeared in art in Gandhara (present-day Pakistan), where multiple cultural influences brought Greek, Parthian, and Scythian elements together. On this second image of a Gandharan dish in the metmuseum, a winged Eros rides a sea monster with the head and forepart of a lion. ⠀
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The god Dionysos, who, according to some traditions, journeyed through western Asia and India, was often shown riding a panther or lion. Dionysiac processions were accompanied by winged erotes, and this scene may reference the cult of Dionysus.

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## Tags

connectingcollections

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