Wife of the mythical poet Orpheus, she died of snake bite while fleeing from Aristaios, son of Apollo, who desired her and offered her violence. The disconsolate Orpheus, venturing to the underworld, negotiated from Hades the restoration of his wife to life provided he did not look back before returning to earth. Distracted by his grief he forgot this condition and Eurydike was lost to him for ever.
Above: Eurydike with Hermes and Orpheus. Relief. Naples. Museo Archeologico Nazionale 6727. Photo. Anderson 23246 © Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples