Mycenæ: a narrative of researches and discoveries at Mycenæ and TirynsSchliemann, Heinrich
History
Mycenæ: a narrative of researches and discoveries at Mycenæ and Tiryns
Schliemann, Heinrich
Mycenae (Extinct city); Tiryns (Extinct city)
The whole immense sepulchre was strewn with small gold leaves, of which I
collected about 200 grammes, or more than half a pound troy. I found them
in masses even below the bodies, and I have, therefore, no doubt that
they were spread in the tomb before the funeral piles were dressed there.
I also collected from this sepulchre two silver goblets, two silver
bowls, ten silver vases, which latter are all broken, and finally three
large silver vessels and a small one, which are plated with copper, and
are very flat. I presume, therefore, that they have been used as basins
or as a kind of saucers for large silver vases. I further found a wooden
comb, with a large curved golden handle, which has evidently served for
the forehead, to hold back the hair.
[Sidenote: GOLD MODEL OF A TEMPLE.]
[Illustration: No. 423. Model of a Temple, in Gold. Sepulchre IV. Actual
size.]
Perhaps the most curious objects of all are five small edifices of gold
in _repoussé_ work, of which I represent one (No. 423). They are too
small for dwelling-houses, and I suppose, therefore, that they were
intended to represent small temples or sanctuaries. In this belief I am
strengthened, alike by the four horns on the top, by the pigeons with
uplifted wings which are sitting at either side, and by the column with
a capital, which is represented in every one of the three door-like
niches. I call the reader's particular attention to the similarity of
these columns to the column represented between the two lions above the
Lions' Gate. It is also deserving of special notice that the slanting
lines to the right and left of the columns give to these niches a
striking resemblance with the tombs and their slanting walls. Below the
three niches we see distinctly indicated four courses of masonry of
large wrought stones. Of capital interest is the tower-like upper part
of the building, which appears to represent a wooden structure, and in
the middle of which are three curious signs resembling letters. I would
remind the reader of the coins of Paphos, on which is represented a
temple of Aphrodité, with a pigeon sitting on each gable-end.
[Illustration: No. 424. A Cuttle-fish in Gold. Sepulchre IV. Actual size.]
I also collected from the tomb not less than fifty-three golden
cuttle-fish (sepias), of which I represent one (No. 424). All these
fifty-three sepias are perfectly alike, and have a curious ornamentation
in relief representing spirals; all their arms are likewise curved into
spiral forms. It is difficult to say how these sepias may have been used
as ornaments; probably they were fastened on clothes and drapery; all
appear to have been cast in the same mould, otherwise their _perfect_
resemblance is inexplicable.
[Illustration: Nos. 425, 426. The two halves of a whorl-shaped object of
thick Gold Plate. Sepulchre IV. Actual size.]
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