Department of Classical Studies
The Fates with Prometheus
On this 3rd century A.D. sarcophagus, the 3 Fates (each abeled with her
name) are shown at the far left watching the creation of man and
woman: Clotho holds closed papyrus scrolls on which she will write the
destiny of each man's life. Lachesis (who is labeled more clearly than the
other two here) determines his horoscope acording the the
celestial sphere, and Atropos points to a sun dial marking the length of
his life. A woman and man stand in the center of the picture, newly
created, with Prometheus (again, clearly labeled) sitting at the
right. Above him are an ass and a bull (both labeled).
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