Greek Mythology - On Non Greek Stamps!

In Greek mythology, Europa was a high-born Phoenician woman who was abducted by Zeus in the form of a white bull. The continent of Europe was named after her. Here is an image of a stamp depicting a statue of Europa created by French sculptor Roger Louis Chavanon (1937-2010), printed by photogravure, and issued by Austria on March 3, 2006 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of EUROPA stamps, Scott No. 2040, plus an image of a photograph of the statue, which stands in the hall of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

- nethryk

Here is an image of a stamp depicting an "Africanized" version of Icarus, a figure from Greek mythology, designed after a poster prepared by International Civil Aviation Organization which was adapted from a mural by Swiss artist Hans Erni (1909-2015) entitled "Man in Flight," printed by lithography, and issued by Tanzania on November 15, 1984 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the ICAO, Scott No. 246, plus an image of the ICAO commemorative poster.

- nethryk

Here is an image of a stamp designed after a fresco in Prague Castle entitled Hermathena ("Hermes and Athena," c. 1585), by Flemish painter and sculptor Bartholomeus Spranger (1546-1611), engraved by Josef Hercík (1922-1999), and issued by Czechoslovakia on May 7, 1970, Scott No. 1690, plus an image of the original work of art. Note that the design on the stamp is a mirror image of the actual fresco. Oops!

- nethryk

Here are images of the two Red Cross semi-postal (charity) stamps depicting Labors of Hercules, designed by French artist Pierrette Lambert (1928- ), engraved by Claude Haley (1923-1988), and issued by Monaco on November 8, 1982, Scott Nos. B102 & B103. Bonuses: Pig, Archery.

- nethryk

Hercules capturing the Erymanthean Boar.


Hercules killing the Stymphalian birds.

Here is an image of a stamp depicting an ancient Roman mural of Orpheus, a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth, charming various beasts with his lyre-playing, engraved by Pablo Sampedro Molero (1935- ), and issued by Spain on May 26, 1976 as one of a set of three stamps commemorating the 2,000th anniversary of the founding of Zaragoza (aka Saragossa), Scott No. 1946, Edifil No. 2321.

- nethryk

Here is an image of an airmail stamp depicting Pegasus, the winged horse in Greek mythology, designed by French artist Paul Bret (1902-1956), engraved by Raoul Serres (1881-1971), and issued by Monaco on April 15, 1942, Scott No. C5.

- nethryk

Greek Mythology - On Non Greek Stamps!??? Why "On Non Greek Stamps"??? Where should I post stamps like these Greek stamps?

This Czechoslovakian set pictures the tragic love story
of Hero and Leander.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_and_Leander

Scenes are from 17th century English tapestries in Bratislava
Palace.

All stamps were printed multicoloured engraved.
Milos Ondracek was the engraver.

Scott 1950 - 1955

Great set about Hero and Leander and great engraving!!! Thanks!!!

Laocoön and His Sons

Laocoön was a Trojan priest. During the Trojan War, when the Greeks sent the wooden horse, he tried to convince the Trojans to burn it to ensure it was not a trick. He was punished by goddess Athena who sent two giant sea serpents to strangle and kill him and his two sons.

The statue of "Laocoön and His Sons", by Agesander, Athenodoros and Polydorus, was excavated in Rome in 1506 and placed on public display in the Vatican. It shows Laocoön and his sons Antiphantes and Thymbraeus being attacked by the sea serpents:

Embossed SS issued by the Vatican in 2006 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Vatican museum:

Head of Laocoön, detail from the above statue "Laocoön and His Sons", issued by the Vatican in 1977 as one of a set "Art treasures of the Vatican":

A maxicard with the same Vatican stamp, depicting part of the statue. The postmark depicting the head of Laocoön, as in the stamp:

The complete statue - Paraguay, 1967:

Photo taken by me in summer 2018:

Music Contest between god Apollo and Marsyas the Satyr

The satyr Marsyas challenged Apollo to a contest of music. The contest was judged by Midas. The terms of the contest stated that the winner could punish the defeated one. Marsyas lost and was flayed alive for his hubris to challenge a god.

"The punishment of Marsyas by god Apollo" by the Italian painter Tiziano (Titian) Vecelli, engraved by Josef Hercik and issued by Czechoslovakia in 1978:



High resoltion of the complete engraved painting on the SS margin:

2 great posts! Thoroughly enjoyed them.

Thank you very much, Rod! Actually, Mythology on stamps is one of my main thematic collections (the other main thematic collections are Monkeys on Stamps and African Folklore, Beside my first and important collection of Laos). The Mythology collection includes mythologies from around the world, in which Greek mythology is one of them and, naturally, the most dominant. I don't post about other mythologies since this thread is about Greek only.

Here is one page from my collection about Roman mythology:

The Twelve Labours of Hercules

Driven mad by Hera (queen of the gods), Hercules (Greek: Heracles) slew his son, daughter, and wife Megara. After recovering his sanity, Hercules deeply regretted his actions; he was purified by King Thespius, then traveled to Delphi to inquire how he could atone for his actions. Pythia, the Oracle of Delphi, advised him to go to Tiryns and serve his cousin King Eurystheus for twelve years, performing whatever labours Eurystheus might set him; in return, he would be rewarded with immortality. Hercules despaired at this, loathing to serve a man whom he knew to be far inferior to himself, yet fearing to oppose his father Zeus. Eventually, he placed himself at Eurystheus's disposal.

Monaco issued six sets of stamps, a set each year, depicting the twelve labor of Hercules. The stamps issued in years 1981-1986 and were surcharged to raise donation to the Monaco's Red Cross Society. They designed by Pierrette Lambert and engraved by Claude Haley.

Hercules fighting the Nemean lion:

Hercules fighting the Lernaean hydra:

Hercules capturing the Erymanthian boar:

Hercules slaying the Stymphalian birds:

Hercules capturing the golden hind:

Hercules cleaning the Augean stables:

Hercules capturing the Cretan bull:

Hercules stealing the Mares of Diomedes:

Hercules and the cattle of Geryon:

Hercules obtains the girdle of Hippolyta:

Hercules stealing the Hesperides apples:

Hercules fighting Cerebrus:

Famous Sculptures, designed and engraved by Eugène Lacaque and issued by Niger in 1973. Stamps show Atlas, Apollo, Hercules and Venus: