DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15099#0039
23
TEMPLE OF VICTORY.
PLATE VII.
In this plate and the three following are represented portions
of the frieze from the temple of the wingless Victory at Athens,
which were brought to England by the Earl of Elgin. The
first mention made of this temple is by Pausanias,1 who merely
states the fact, that there was a temple so named on the
right of the approach to the Propylsea. In 16/6, when Spon
and Wheler visited Athens, this small temple still existed, and
the latter of these travellers describing their visit to the Acro-
polis, erroneously supposed that, having passed through three
modern gates, they " were quite within the Acropolis," though
in fact they had not actually reached the Propylasa. Not-
withstanding this slight mistake as to the relative position of
the temple, there is not the least doubt but that they were cor-
rect in supposing that the building which they then saw was
the same which Pausanias had mentioned. " After we had
passed this (third) Gate, we were quite within the Acropolis;
where the first thing we observed was a little Temple on our
right hand; which we knew to be that dedicated to Victory
without Wines. It is built of white Marble, with one end near
the Wall; where 'tis said, that ^geus cast himself down at
the sight of the Black Sails, his Son Theseus forgot to change,
when he returned Victorious from the Combate with the Mino-
taur in Crete. It was therefore stiled Without Wings ; because
the Fame thereof arrived not at Athens, before Theseus him-
self, that brought it. For otherwise, Victory used still to be
represented with Wings. This Temple is not above fifteen Foot
long, and about eight or nine broad: But of white Marble,
1 Book i. c. xxii.
TEMPLE OF VICTORY.
PLATE VII.
In this plate and the three following are represented portions
of the frieze from the temple of the wingless Victory at Athens,
which were brought to England by the Earl of Elgin. The
first mention made of this temple is by Pausanias,1 who merely
states the fact, that there was a temple so named on the
right of the approach to the Propylsea. In 16/6, when Spon
and Wheler visited Athens, this small temple still existed, and
the latter of these travellers describing their visit to the Acro-
polis, erroneously supposed that, having passed through three
modern gates, they " were quite within the Acropolis," though
in fact they had not actually reached the Propylasa. Not-
withstanding this slight mistake as to the relative position of
the temple, there is not the least doubt but that they were cor-
rect in supposing that the building which they then saw was
the same which Pausanias had mentioned. " After we had
passed this (third) Gate, we were quite within the Acropolis;
where the first thing we observed was a little Temple on our
right hand; which we knew to be that dedicated to Victory
without Wines. It is built of white Marble, with one end near
the Wall; where 'tis said, that ^geus cast himself down at
the sight of the Black Sails, his Son Theseus forgot to change,
when he returned Victorious from the Combate with the Mino-
taur in Crete. It was therefore stiled Without Wings ; because
the Fame thereof arrived not at Athens, before Theseus him-
self, that brought it. For otherwise, Victory used still to be
represented with Wings. This Temple is not above fifteen Foot
long, and about eight or nine broad: But of white Marble,
1 Book i. c. xxii.