Hermaphroditus

In Rome, he began a lifelong fascination with the marble statue “Sleeping Hermaphroditus” at the Borghese Gallery.

Inside Hermaphroditus old tensions were roiling, trying to work themselves out.

There was a famous statue of Hermaphroditus by Polycles of Athens, probably the younger of the two statuaries of that name.

And at the moment when the two Ephesians rose, according to the tradition, to play The Fable of Hermaphroditus, she let herself slip down from the bed and went out feverishly.

Hermaphroditus continued deaf to all entreaties and offers; and Salmaeis, throwing her arms around him, entreated the Gods to render her inseparable from him whom she adored.