DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9804#0232
2oG
CRETE AND THE HOMERIC POEMS
With the Homeric Problem the present work does not
propose to deal, save in so far as direct light has been
thrown on it by the Cretan discoveries. It is unnecessary,
for instance, to go into the question of the Homeric
House.1 The only conclusion we can draw from the
Cretan remains is that several types of house existed
in the Eastern Mediterranean side by side. We may
not even yet have discovered that which approximates
most closely to the Homeric House. It has certainly
no special connection with what we have found in
Crete.
The most important contribution that Crete has made
to the Homeric Problem is that it has emphasised for
us the greatness of the art whose memories are preserved
in the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Palace of Alkinoos,
the Shield of Achilles, were no mere imaginings of the
Early Iron Age, its—
Masts of the beaten gold
And sails of taffetie.2
We need not of course assume that the picture of life
preserved to us in the Homeric description was ever
worked by a Cretan artist on an actual shield.3 That
weapons of war were not grudged splendid decorative
designs is shown by the dagger-blades at Mycenae,4 and
the Lion and Goat on the gold-plated sword from the
Chieftain's grave at Zafer Papoura.s It is probable,
if we may judge from a short account of a recent lecture (Camb.
Rev. March 14, 1907). It will be interesting to see how this will
be related to Conway's view that the Eteo-Cretans were akin to
the Illyrians.
1 For the literature see J. L. Myres, J.H.S. xx. pp. 128-50 ;
E. Gardner, ibid. xxi. pp. 293-305 ; G. Dickins, ibid, xxiii. 325-34 ;
Noack, H.P. 1903, pp. 39-73 ; A. Lang, H.A. 1906, pp. 209-28.
2 A p. Lang, H.A. p. 193.
3 See my Review of Lang H.A. in C.R. xxi. 1907, p. 22, and
his reply in ibid. pp. 50-1.
4 Seep. 136. 6 See p. 88.
CRETE AND THE HOMERIC POEMS
With the Homeric Problem the present work does not
propose to deal, save in so far as direct light has been
thrown on it by the Cretan discoveries. It is unnecessary,
for instance, to go into the question of the Homeric
House.1 The only conclusion we can draw from the
Cretan remains is that several types of house existed
in the Eastern Mediterranean side by side. We may
not even yet have discovered that which approximates
most closely to the Homeric House. It has certainly
no special connection with what we have found in
Crete.
The most important contribution that Crete has made
to the Homeric Problem is that it has emphasised for
us the greatness of the art whose memories are preserved
in the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Palace of Alkinoos,
the Shield of Achilles, were no mere imaginings of the
Early Iron Age, its—
Masts of the beaten gold
And sails of taffetie.2
We need not of course assume that the picture of life
preserved to us in the Homeric description was ever
worked by a Cretan artist on an actual shield.3 That
weapons of war were not grudged splendid decorative
designs is shown by the dagger-blades at Mycenae,4 and
the Lion and Goat on the gold-plated sword from the
Chieftain's grave at Zafer Papoura.s It is probable,
if we may judge from a short account of a recent lecture (Camb.
Rev. March 14, 1907). It will be interesting to see how this will
be related to Conway's view that the Eteo-Cretans were akin to
the Illyrians.
1 For the literature see J. L. Myres, J.H.S. xx. pp. 128-50 ;
E. Gardner, ibid. xxi. pp. 293-305 ; G. Dickins, ibid, xxiii. 325-34 ;
Noack, H.P. 1903, pp. 39-73 ; A. Lang, H.A. 1906, pp. 209-28.
2 A p. Lang, H.A. p. 193.
3 See my Review of Lang H.A. in C.R. xxi. 1907, p. 22, and
his reply in ibid. pp. 50-1.
4 Seep. 136. 6 See p. 88.