Lycaon

12” X 17”

450.00

Lycaon ruled the land of Arcadia. Zeus, hearing of the King’s wickedness and impiety, descended from Olympus with Hermes to test him. They arrived in the guise of ordinary men, though they gave signs to the Arcadians that there were gods among them. Obliged by the custom of xenia to offer the travelers protection and hospitality, the King welcomed them into his palace. He planned to test whether his guests were gods or not by killing them as they slept, but before this he offered a meal that secretly included the flesh of a butchered slave. Zeus reacted with fury, striking down Lycaon’s sons with lightning, and cursing Lycaon to live out the rest of his days as a wolf, a form more appropriate to his beastly nature.