The Pediment of Talamone
The Talamone Pediment is a terracotta relief depicting the myth Seven against Thebes, which tells the dramatic culmination of the war between Eteocles and Polynices, sons of Oedipus and Jocasta.
In the relief we can see Adrastus on a chariot leaving the battlefield, blind Oedipus among the bodies of his dead sons, Capaneus about to fall from the ladder while trying to climb the walls of Thebes and Amphiaraus sinking into hell.
The relief itself was part of the largest terracotta pediment discovered in this area and dates back to the 2nd century BC. It originally adorned an Etruscan temple called Tempio di Talamonaccio, which stood on a hill in nearby Talamone.
It was discovered in the 19th century and brought to Orbetello simply because it was the largest city in the area.
The relief is so important that it is often lent to other museums in Italy and around the world. It is currently exhibited in the Guzmán Powder Store as part of the archaeological museum.
To be honest, I can't believe that Orbetello has managed to preserve this incredible Etruscan treasure for so long. After all, it's the only one of its kind in the world and is still in pretty good shape, which is impressive when you consider how old it is. The emotions on the faces of the sculpted figures are magnificent.
