Cook, Arthur B.: Zeus: a study in ancient religion (Band 1): Zeus god of the bright sky (Cambridge, 1914)

The Satyric Drama

At the same time it remains possible, indeed probable, that
these goat-dances were not ab origine connected with Dionysos,
but had existed from time immemorial as a popular custom
in south Europe. On August 12, 1908, Monsieur P. Bourrinet
found in the Abri Mege, a Magdalenian rock-shelter at Teyjat
(Dordogne)1, a well-preserved 'baton de commandement' of
stag's-horn, on which were engraved various animal forms—the
head of a hind, three snakes, a large horse followed by the
forepart of a little horse, three swans, and lastly three 1 diablotins'
(fig. 512)2. These remarkable figures represent men disguised

Fig. 512.

as goats—chamois, to judge from their horns,—and engaged in
jumping or dancing, probably with the intention of multiplying
the supply of actual goats by means of magic mimicry3.

Nineteen years ago I figured two ' island stones' from Crete
and one from Athens, on which human beings are seen dressed
in the skins of goats (figs. 513, 515, 516)4. I pointed out then

1 L. Capitan, H. Breuil, P. Bourrinet, and D. Peyrony ' L'abri Mege' in the Revtie
de PEcole d''Anthropologic de Paris 1906 xvi. 196—212 with 9 figs.

2 L. Capitan, H. Breuil, P. Bourrinet, and D. Peyrony ' Observations sur un baton
de commandement' etc. in the Revue de VEcole d' Anthropologic de Paris 1909 xix. 62—79
with 15-figs, and 1 photographic plate. I reproduce fig. 11 by kind permission of the
Abbe Breuil. See also H. Obermaier Der Mensch aller Zeiten i (Der Mensch der
Vorzeit) Berlin etc. 1912 p. 427 fig. 252.

3 For parallels see in priniis E. Cartailhac et l'abbe H. Breuil La Caverne cfAlta-
mira d Santillane pres Santander (Espague) Monaco 1906 p. 164 ff. fig. 127 pis. 32, 33.
S. Reinach Cultes, Mythes et Religions Paris 1912 iv. 361 ff., id. Rep. Art Quat. p. 181
nos. 2—5, explains otherwise (lratapas' or embryonic souls).

4 See the Journ. Hell. Stud. 1894 xiv. isoff.

Fig. 513 is a lenticular seal .of serpentine from Crete in the Pauvert de la Chapelle
collection (O. Rossbach in the Ann. d. Inst. 1885 lvii. 193 pi. GH, 6, Collignon Hist, de
la Sculpt, gr. i. 57 fig. 34, fount. Hell. Stud. 1894 xiv. 150 fig. 20, Furtwangler Ant.