DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15099#0074
54
of which the scattered marbles by it are remains."2 The subject
he considered to be the presentation of young children with the
accustomed offerings to Minerva.3 An engraving of this monu-
ment, from a drawing supplied by Dr. Chandler, who considers it
to be part of a pedestal, forms the vignette of the preface to the
first volume of Ionian Antiquities, where it is stated, that it was
customary among the Greeks to consign their infants to the tute-
lary care of some deity. Another engraving of this same monu-
ment occurs in the work of the Comte de Choiseul Gouffier,4 who
also considers Minerva to be the presiding deity here represented.
Both these engravings exhibit it in the mutilated condition in which
we now see it, the heads, with one exception, being deficient.
The group on this monument consists of five figures, the
central one of which is a female, in whom, from her superior
size, as well as from the sedate dignity of her appearance, we
at once recognise a divinity. In front of her are two women
approaching, each carrying in her arm a new born infant closely
wrapped in swaddling clothes. The first extends her hand toward
the goddess, is addressing herself to speak, and apparently im-
ploring some assistance or protection for her infant charge ;
the other seems advancing with a slow and melancholy step, and,
with her head drooping upon her hand, testifies her grief at
the apparent illness of her child, and the slightness of that hope,
which has however led her to seek the presence of the goddess.
Behind is a third female, who also carries an infant similarly
attired, and evidently with the same view of claiming protec-
tion and assistance. These women are each clothed in a long
chiton, descending to the feet, and without sleeves, having over
it a pallium, which entirely covers the left arm, and being tucked
up around it descends only to the knees. Behind the last men-
tioned female a fourth approaches, carrying on her left hand
2 Chandler's Travels in Asia Minor, p. 36. 5 Ibid. p. 37.
4 Voyage Pittoresque de la Grece, torn. II. pi. 38, p. 433.
of which the scattered marbles by it are remains."2 The subject
he considered to be the presentation of young children with the
accustomed offerings to Minerva.3 An engraving of this monu-
ment, from a drawing supplied by Dr. Chandler, who considers it
to be part of a pedestal, forms the vignette of the preface to the
first volume of Ionian Antiquities, where it is stated, that it was
customary among the Greeks to consign their infants to the tute-
lary care of some deity. Another engraving of this same monu-
ment occurs in the work of the Comte de Choiseul Gouffier,4 who
also considers Minerva to be the presiding deity here represented.
Both these engravings exhibit it in the mutilated condition in which
we now see it, the heads, with one exception, being deficient.
The group on this monument consists of five figures, the
central one of which is a female, in whom, from her superior
size, as well as from the sedate dignity of her appearance, we
at once recognise a divinity. In front of her are two women
approaching, each carrying in her arm a new born infant closely
wrapped in swaddling clothes. The first extends her hand toward
the goddess, is addressing herself to speak, and apparently im-
ploring some assistance or protection for her infant charge ;
the other seems advancing with a slow and melancholy step, and,
with her head drooping upon her hand, testifies her grief at
the apparent illness of her child, and the slightness of that hope,
which has however led her to seek the presence of the goddess.
Behind is a third female, who also carries an infant similarly
attired, and evidently with the same view of claiming protec-
tion and assistance. These women are each clothed in a long
chiton, descending to the feet, and without sleeves, having over
it a pallium, which entirely covers the left arm, and being tucked
up around it descends only to the knees. Behind the last men-
tioned female a fourth approaches, carrying on her left hand
2 Chandler's Travels in Asia Minor, p. 36. 5 Ibid. p. 37.
4 Voyage Pittoresque de la Grece, torn. II. pi. 38, p. 433.