Diana and Actaeon Cup
Love only blossoms under optimal conditions, as depicted here. The scene on the lid shows that love (Venus) needs sufficient food (Ceres) and drink (Bacchus). The depiction on the cup itself makes clear that love does not tolerate betrayal: Diana, goddess of the hunt, is spied on by the
hunter Actaeon while bathing. As punishment Diana transforms him into a stag, after which he is torn apart by his own hounds.