Ion

A messenger hurries onto the scene and explains to the chorus that Creusa’s ruse was discovered in the following way: Xuthus asked Ion to erect a giant tent for the Delphian banquet. The tent was a dedication made to Apollo by Heracles, who himself acquired it as spoils from his victory over the Amazon women. The tapestry depicted woven scenes of mythology, such as the sun god in his chariot and the night goddess in hers. Among them, too, appeared constellations such as Orion, the Pleiades, and the bear Arktos, followed by the goddess of the dawn, Eos. Finally, the tapestry shows foreign ships from the east attacking the Greeks, centaurs fighting lions, and the legendary snake-king and founder of Cecrops making an offering to Athena (for which reason the messenger supposes that the artist of the tapestry must be Athenian).

Next, the messenger explains that after everyone feasted, Ion was given a crown of garlands (in recognition of his status as Xuthus’s named son). When the time came for libations of wine in celebration of Apollo, Creusa’s slave entered and suggested that small wine glasses be filled with larger ones to enhance the merry-making.