DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0532
426 VULCI. [CHAP. XXI.
brought to light, are from this site. The extraordinary
multitude of these vases, bearing Greek subjects, of Greek
design, and with Greek inscriptions—the names of the
potter and painter being also recorded as Greeks—has
suggested the idea that Vulci must have been a Greek
colony,3 or that a portion of its inhabitants were of that
nation, living in a state of isopolity with the Etruscans.4
But these views are opposed by the fact that nothing
found on this site, but the painted vases, is Greek; the
tombs and all their other contents are unequivocally
Etruscan. On this site it is that the very few vases,
bearing Etruscan inscriptions and subjects, have been
found.5
Although thousands on thousands of painted vases have
been redeemed from oblivion, this cemetery still yields a
richer harvest than any other in Etruria. No site has
been so well worked by the excavator—none has so well
repaid him; yet it seems far from exhausted. Nor is it
rich in vases alone. Bronzes of various descriptions,
mirrors with beautiful designs, vessels, tripods, candelabra,
weapons—are proportionally abundant, and maintain the
same relative excellence to the pottery. That exquisite
cista, or casket, with a relief of a combat between Greeks
and Amazons, now in the Gregorian Museum, and which
yields not in beauty to any one of those very rare relics
3 Gerhard, Ann. Inst. 1831, pp. 106, Vulci will be found in Gerhard's " Rap-
107. He subsequently (Bull. Inst. 1832, porto Vulcente," Ann. Inst. 1831. See
pp. 76, 78) rejected this hypothesis in also some admirable papers, by Chev.
favour of that of an isopolity of Greeks Bunsen, Ann. Inst. 1834, pp.40—86.
and Etruscans. Welcker (cited in Ann. Opinions of Miiller, Boecth, Panofka,
Inst. 1834, pp. 43, 28S) thinks this and Gerhard, on various points connected
colony was one of potters, living as a with this subject will also be found in
separate body for ages, preserving their Bull. Inst. 1832, pp. 65—104. But every
peculiarities of religion and rites. work on ancient vases, that has appeared
4 Ann. Inst. 1834, p. 45. during the last twenty years, treats
5 The fullest account of the vases of more or less of the pottery of Vulci.
brought to light, are from this site. The extraordinary
multitude of these vases, bearing Greek subjects, of Greek
design, and with Greek inscriptions—the names of the
potter and painter being also recorded as Greeks—has
suggested the idea that Vulci must have been a Greek
colony,3 or that a portion of its inhabitants were of that
nation, living in a state of isopolity with the Etruscans.4
But these views are opposed by the fact that nothing
found on this site, but the painted vases, is Greek; the
tombs and all their other contents are unequivocally
Etruscan. On this site it is that the very few vases,
bearing Etruscan inscriptions and subjects, have been
found.5
Although thousands on thousands of painted vases have
been redeemed from oblivion, this cemetery still yields a
richer harvest than any other in Etruria. No site has
been so well worked by the excavator—none has so well
repaid him; yet it seems far from exhausted. Nor is it
rich in vases alone. Bronzes of various descriptions,
mirrors with beautiful designs, vessels, tripods, candelabra,
weapons—are proportionally abundant, and maintain the
same relative excellence to the pottery. That exquisite
cista, or casket, with a relief of a combat between Greeks
and Amazons, now in the Gregorian Museum, and which
yields not in beauty to any one of those very rare relics
3 Gerhard, Ann. Inst. 1831, pp. 106, Vulci will be found in Gerhard's " Rap-
107. He subsequently (Bull. Inst. 1832, porto Vulcente," Ann. Inst. 1831. See
pp. 76, 78) rejected this hypothesis in also some admirable papers, by Chev.
favour of that of an isopolity of Greeks Bunsen, Ann. Inst. 1834, pp.40—86.
and Etruscans. Welcker (cited in Ann. Opinions of Miiller, Boecth, Panofka,
Inst. 1834, pp. 43, 28S) thinks this and Gerhard, on various points connected
colony was one of potters, living as a with this subject will also be found in
separate body for ages, preserving their Bull. Inst. 1832, pp. 65—104. But every
peculiarities of religion and rites. work on ancient vases, that has appeared
4 Ann. Inst. 1834, p. 45. during the last twenty years, treats
5 The fullest account of the vases of more or less of the pottery of Vulci.