DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4098#0488
SEPULCHRE OF A WARRIOR.. 443
In the sepulchre of a female named Theophile, we found only some
broken terra cotta vases, and a fragmented bas-relief of white marble,
representing two females; one of which is in an erect posture, giving
her hand to and receiving the xpwrvi xutP£> or ^as^ farewell of another,
who is sitting in a chair. This is one of the most common subjects
on Grecian tombs, and is often seen on funereal vases of marble1 and
terra cotta, and sometimes on Roman sarcophagi.
Under the two figures is an inscription recording the name and
the virtues of Theophile.
Long sepulchral inscriptions were forbidden by Solon ; and Cicero
observes, " Nee de mortui laude, nisi in publicis sepulturis."
In the sepulchre of a warrior was a sword.of iron ; the length of
which was only two feet five inches, including the handle.
If the Athenian swords were not longer than this, they had little
reason to deride those of the Spartans, which, according to Plutarch,*
was the case. The sword which I found resembles the parazonion
or heroic sword, often represented on the sculpture and vases of the
Greeks. The length of the Athenian swords was doubled by order
of Iphicrates. That which I found is probably therefore of very
remote antiquity.3 In early ages it was customary for warriors to be
buried with their arms.
In the sepulchre of Theseus,4 in the island of Scyros, Cimon is said
to have discovered a spear head, and a sword of bronze; and in
Homer5 we find Elphenor requesting that his arms may be burned
with him.
1 Several of these are in the British Museum. = Life of Lycurgus.
3 Diodor. Sic. b. 15. c. 44. Iphicrates died about three bunched and eighty years before
Christ. « Plutarch's Life of Theseus. 5 Odyss. 11. v. 74.
3 L 2
In the sepulchre of a female named Theophile, we found only some
broken terra cotta vases, and a fragmented bas-relief of white marble,
representing two females; one of which is in an erect posture, giving
her hand to and receiving the xpwrvi xutP£> or ^as^ farewell of another,
who is sitting in a chair. This is one of the most common subjects
on Grecian tombs, and is often seen on funereal vases of marble1 and
terra cotta, and sometimes on Roman sarcophagi.
Under the two figures is an inscription recording the name and
the virtues of Theophile.
Long sepulchral inscriptions were forbidden by Solon ; and Cicero
observes, " Nee de mortui laude, nisi in publicis sepulturis."
In the sepulchre of a warrior was a sword.of iron ; the length of
which was only two feet five inches, including the handle.
If the Athenian swords were not longer than this, they had little
reason to deride those of the Spartans, which, according to Plutarch,*
was the case. The sword which I found resembles the parazonion
or heroic sword, often represented on the sculpture and vases of the
Greeks. The length of the Athenian swords was doubled by order
of Iphicrates. That which I found is probably therefore of very
remote antiquity.3 In early ages it was customary for warriors to be
buried with their arms.
In the sepulchre of Theseus,4 in the island of Scyros, Cimon is said
to have discovered a spear head, and a sword of bronze; and in
Homer5 we find Elphenor requesting that his arms may be burned
with him.
1 Several of these are in the British Museum. = Life of Lycurgus.
3 Diodor. Sic. b. 15. c. 44. Iphicrates died about three bunched and eighty years before
Christ. « Plutarch's Life of Theseus. 5 Odyss. 11. v. 74.
3 L 2