The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6)Pliny, the Elder
History
The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6)
Pliny, the Elder
Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works
Scopas had for rivals and contemporaries, Bryaxis,[2423]
Timotheus,[2424] and Leochares,[2425] artists whom we are bound to
mention together, from the fact that they worked together at the
Mausoleum; such being the name of the tomb that was erected by his
wife Artemisia in honour of Mausolus, a petty king of Caria, who
died in the second year of the hundred and seventh Olympiad. It was
through the exertions of these artists more particularly, that this
work came to be reckoned one of the Seven Wonders of the World.[2426]
The circumference[2427] of this building is, in all, four hundred and
forty feet, and the breadth from north to south sixty-three, the two
fronts[2428] being not so wide in extent. It is twenty-five cubits
in height, and is surrounded with six-and-thirty columns, the outer
circumference being known as the “Pteron.”[2429] The east side was
sculptured by Scopas, the north by Bryaxis, the south by Timotheus,
and the west by Leochares; but, before their task was completed, Queen
Artemisia died.[2430] They did not leave their work, however, until it
was finished, considering that it was at once a memorial of their own
fame and of the sculptor’s art: and, to this day even, it is undecided
which of them has excelled. A fifth artist also took part in the work;
for above the Pteron there is a pyramid erected, equal in height
to the building below, and formed of four and twenty steps, which
gradually taper upwards towards the summit; a platform, crowned with a
representation of a four-horse chariot by Pythis. This addition makes
the total height of the work one hundred and forty feet.[2431]
There is at Rome, by Timotheus, a Diana, in the Temple of Apollo
in the Palatium, the head of which has been replaced by Avianius
Evander.[2432] A Hercules, too, by Menestratus,[2433] is greatly
admired; and there is a Hecate of his at Ephesus, in the Temple of
Diana there, behind the sanctuary. The keepers of the temple recommend
persons, when viewing it, to be careful of their eyes, so remarkably
radiant is the marble. No less esteemed, too, are the statues of the
Graces,[2434] in the Propylæum[2435] at Athens; the workmanship of
Socrates the sculptor, a different person from the painter[2436] of
that name, though identical with him in the opinion of some. As to
Myron,[2437] who is so highly praised for his works in bronze, there is
by him at Smyrna, An Old Woman Intoxicated, a work that is held in high
estimation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account