The widespread admiration and worship of Heracles owes much to his portrayal as a flawed and raucous hero. This scene shows him playing the kithara, a stringed instrument, and casts a gentler light on the otherwise vehement warrior. But even his connection with music recalls Heracles’ excessive nature: he was said to have killed his music teacher Linus, who was overly critical of his kithara playing.
Heracles is flanked by Athena, the protector of heroes, and the messenger god Hermes, from whom he was said to have received assistance during his Twelve Labours. Perhaps Heracles is showing his appreciation of his two divine guardians.
The kithara’s association with several Greek heroes, including Orpheus and Achilles, gave musical skill a particularly noble reputation. A kitharistes (teacher of music and lyric poetry) directed one of three principal branches of elementary education in classical Athens.
