Trifunctional hypothesis
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The trifunctional hypothesis is a theory that prehistoric Proto-Indo-European society and religion reflected a tripartite ideology organized around three functions: the sacral, or sovereign, the marti
This part of the 12th-century Swedish Skog tapestry has, possibly erroneously, been interpreted to show, from left to right, the one-eyed Odin, the hammer-wielding Thor and Freyr holding up wheat. Terje Leiren believes this grouping corresponds closely to the trifunctional division.
Rape of the Sabine women
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The kidnapping of the Sabine women; traditionally known as the Rape of the Sabine women and also known as the abduction of the Sabine women, was an incident in the early history of Rome in which the m
Trifunctional hypothesis
…into the victorious group. The resulting society or pantheon becomes complete only after the three functions have been joined. The Roman legend of the Rape of the Sabine women has been treated as a central example in this interpretation. In this reading, the early Romans represent the first and second functions, while the…
Abduction of a Sabine Woman by Giambologna, Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence
The Abduction of the Sabine Women, by Poussin, 1634–35 (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
The Rape of the Sabine Women, by Peter Paul Rubens
Rape of the Sabine Women by Pietro da Cortona, 1627–1629