The land of the Hittites : $b An account of recent explorations and discoveries in Asia Minor, with descriptions of the Hittite monumentsGarstang, John
History
The land of the Hittites : $b An account of recent explorations and discoveries in Asia Minor, with descriptions of the Hittite monuments
Garstang, John
Hittites; Turkey -- Antiquities
Here, however, it is not a foreign enemy that is represented.
The prostrate man conforms in general character to the North Syrian
type, such as may be seen even in the charioteer within the car. He is
apparently without clothing except for his cap, which is close-fitting;
the curl of hair behind his neck is shown in outline, and even the toes
of his shoeless feet are represented by the habit of the sculptor as
being upturned.
[Illustration: PLATE LXXV
SCULPTURES FROM SINJERLI (_See p. 284_)
1. CEREMONIAL FEAST
2. WARRIOR]
No. ii. The corresponding sculpture on the opposite face of this
entrance—that is to say, on the eastern side, but still facing south,
is the upright figure of a warrior armed with spear and shield as well
as the customary long dagger or sword.[650] Curiously enough, he faces
in the same direction as the chariot, namely, towards his left, looking
therefore in this instance away from the gateway. The warrior stands with
his left foot and left arm advanced; his body and face shown in profile,
and his shoulders in full view, in obedience to the ordinary conventions
of Oriental art. He is dressed in the familiar short tunic which is
fringed at the bottom, and the overlap of the garment is seen falling
obliquely in front; the upper part of his body is lightly covered with
a short-sleeved vest. A broad girdle passes around the waist, and the
long dagger hanging from his left side seems to have a special attachment
which passes over the right shoulder. His head-dress is the conical hat
of the Hittite peoples with the brim upturned, but with the top expanding
like a ball. On his feet are shoes the points of which are extravagantly
upturned, while around the ankles there is a suggestion of ornaments or
of attachments, for binding on the shoes.[651] The features of the man,
though conventional, are represented with boldness. The long straight
nose in line with the forehead is drawn with deliberation. From the chin
there falls a square-cut beard, and a moustache also is represented. The
eye is shown in full profile, and is also too large in proportion. The
conventional lock of hair, like the survival of a pigtail, falling from
the crown of the head, ends in a broad curl behind the neck. The shield
which he holds up is obviously intended to be of the figure-of-eight
shape,[652] though the perspective of the picture has given the artist
trouble. The spear, which he holds transversely with the point down, is
longer than himself. The shaft is not drawn straight, possibly suggesting
the natural shape of the branch of a tree. The blade is long and pointed,
with indication of a midrib. His short weapon is probably a dagger,
though represented of such length that it might also be a sword. The hilt
is crescental,[653] with a notch on either side of the handle,[654] and
is doubtless enclosed in a sheath; the midrib is well defined along its
entire length.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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