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The subject is taken from Ovid, Metamorphoses (6: 382-400). Marsyas, a satyr and a skilful player of the flute, was challenged by Apollo to a musical contest; the winner to inflict whatever penalty he chose upon the loser. When the Muses inevitably chose Apollo, the god flayed Marsyas alive. Ovid relates how the river Marsyas in Phrygia sprung from the tears shed by satyrs at Marsyas' death.
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