A hero who en route to Troy is left behind on Lemnos where he had been bitten by a snake. He may be shown nursing the wound. He was essential to Greek success at Troy, and so cured so that he could fight there. His bow was one given him by Herakles on his funeral pyre.
Above: Wounded Phioktetes. Gem impression. Athens. National Museum 885 (ex Carapanos collection No. 330) © National Museum. Athens.