DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15098#0110
86
the outer row was shorter than the other, and placed alternately,
so as to fall over the interstices of the inner. These straps
generally descended half way to the knees, and were made of
leather, covered or edged with metal which was susceptible of
decoration, and formed an important defence to that part of the
person. Under the cuirass was worn a small chiton, furnished
with short sleeves, and not descending so low as the knees ;
the left arm bore a large circular shield, but we perceive no
trace of an offensive weapon of any description ; if any such were
borne, they were probably of metal, and have disappeared. We
have not been able however to detect any rivet-holes, and may
therefore reasonably conclude that no such weapons made part of
the accoutrements of these persons on this occasion. The figure
on our marble would, when perfect, have been a good illustra-
tion of this kind of dress, but enough to make it thoroughly in-
telligible may be gathered from the present plate and the vignette
in the title-page.
The chariots, we have already seen, are destined to carry two
persons, one unarmed, who is the charioteer, the other armed,
agreeing with the description of Homer, who calls the armed
warrior TzapafiaT7}Q. The scholiast on Aristophanes3 informs us
that Theseus ordered an armed warrior to ascend the chariot with
the driver during these sacred games. Though it may well be
doubted whether that prince had really any influence in establish-
ing the Panathenaic festival, yet it is well ascertained that the
Athenians had a great veneration for his memory, and would
gladly avail themselves of the sanction of his name to give honour
to any custom which prevailed amongst them ; and, whether in
consequence of his original direction or not, it appears clear
that it was the custom at these festivals for an armed warrior to
ascend the chariots, as we see represented upon the marbles.
3 Nubes, v. 28.
the outer row was shorter than the other, and placed alternately,
so as to fall over the interstices of the inner. These straps
generally descended half way to the knees, and were made of
leather, covered or edged with metal which was susceptible of
decoration, and formed an important defence to that part of the
person. Under the cuirass was worn a small chiton, furnished
with short sleeves, and not descending so low as the knees ;
the left arm bore a large circular shield, but we perceive no
trace of an offensive weapon of any description ; if any such were
borne, they were probably of metal, and have disappeared. We
have not been able however to detect any rivet-holes, and may
therefore reasonably conclude that no such weapons made part of
the accoutrements of these persons on this occasion. The figure
on our marble would, when perfect, have been a good illustra-
tion of this kind of dress, but enough to make it thoroughly in-
telligible may be gathered from the present plate and the vignette
in the title-page.
The chariots, we have already seen, are destined to carry two
persons, one unarmed, who is the charioteer, the other armed,
agreeing with the description of Homer, who calls the armed
warrior TzapafiaT7}Q. The scholiast on Aristophanes3 informs us
that Theseus ordered an armed warrior to ascend the chariot with
the driver during these sacred games. Though it may well be
doubted whether that prince had really any influence in establish-
ing the Panathenaic festival, yet it is well ascertained that the
Athenians had a great veneration for his memory, and would
gladly avail themselves of the sanction of his name to give honour
to any custom which prevailed amongst them ; and, whether in
consequence of his original direction or not, it appears clear
that it was the custom at these festivals for an armed warrior to
ascend the chariots, as we see represented upon the marbles.
3 Nubes, v. 28.