DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.794#0009
Otitis
s forn^ probably
• similar to %
The acropolis of Myccnce is of small dimensions; far beyond it, the city spread itself towards the plain. The walls
which remain arc of the rough style, and of the more improved construction, composed of hewn and well compacted polygons.
This characterises the second style of Cyclopian masonry: of the more primitive style few remains are observable at
Myccnre.
The left side of the View exhibits the entrance to the Treasury of Atrcus, beyond which is the plain of Argos, and the
loay chain of mountains that forms its western boundary.—2d Vol. 6th Chap.
, totted
erala"'
(dent
No. VI.
GATE OF THE LIONS, AT MYCENiE.
Pausanias,* iii his description of Myccnse, bestows but a cursory glance upon this singular remnant of early
sculpture, but the little which he has said upon the subject cannot be too highly appreciated, from the interest it adds to
the monument in question. He says, " A part of the peribolos of Mycenre still remains, and a gate upon which are lions:
these are said to be the work of the Cyclopians, who built the fortress at Tiryns for Prcetos."
This gate probably remains in the same condition in which it was seen by the topographer. It formed the principal
entrance to the acropolis, but it is at present rendered impervious by accumulations of stones, that are piled up nearly to its
lintel. An excavation would be necessary to ascertain its height, but it is probably not less than seventeen feet. Its
breadth at top is nine feet and a half. The lintel is fifteen feet and a half in length, six feet eight inches in breadth, and
four feet in height The stone on which are the sculptured lions is twelve feet broad at the base, and nine feet ten inches
in height; its general thickness is two feet; it is of a triangular form, and fills the niche made for its reception. The street
or approach to the gate is thirty feet and a half in breadth. The lateral walls arc nearly regular in their construction,
while those which constitute the peribolos of the acropolis are formed of irregular polygons: they arc composed of hard
compact breccia, procured near the spot; but the block of the lions is a green marble, probably brought from a distance, as
some of the kind has been found in Greece.
The present Plate renders a description of the sculptured lions unnecessary; and indeed this work does not admit of
disquisitions and conjectures upon the origin and meaning of this curious remnant of antiquity. A more circumstantial
account of it may be seen in the narrative of my travels in Greece.—2d Vol. 6th Chap.
n^*
s forn^ probably
• similar to %
The acropolis of Myccnce is of small dimensions; far beyond it, the city spread itself towards the plain. The walls
which remain arc of the rough style, and of the more improved construction, composed of hewn and well compacted polygons.
This characterises the second style of Cyclopian masonry: of the more primitive style few remains are observable at
Myccnre.
The left side of the View exhibits the entrance to the Treasury of Atrcus, beyond which is the plain of Argos, and the
loay chain of mountains that forms its western boundary.—2d Vol. 6th Chap.
, totted
erala"'
(dent
No. VI.
GATE OF THE LIONS, AT MYCENiE.
Pausanias,* iii his description of Myccnse, bestows but a cursory glance upon this singular remnant of early
sculpture, but the little which he has said upon the subject cannot be too highly appreciated, from the interest it adds to
the monument in question. He says, " A part of the peribolos of Mycenre still remains, and a gate upon which are lions:
these are said to be the work of the Cyclopians, who built the fortress at Tiryns for Prcetos."
This gate probably remains in the same condition in which it was seen by the topographer. It formed the principal
entrance to the acropolis, but it is at present rendered impervious by accumulations of stones, that are piled up nearly to its
lintel. An excavation would be necessary to ascertain its height, but it is probably not less than seventeen feet. Its
breadth at top is nine feet and a half. The lintel is fifteen feet and a half in length, six feet eight inches in breadth, and
four feet in height The stone on which are the sculptured lions is twelve feet broad at the base, and nine feet ten inches
in height; its general thickness is two feet; it is of a triangular form, and fills the niche made for its reception. The street
or approach to the gate is thirty feet and a half in breadth. The lateral walls arc nearly regular in their construction,
while those which constitute the peribolos of the acropolis are formed of irregular polygons: they arc composed of hard
compact breccia, procured near the spot; but the block of the lions is a green marble, probably brought from a distance, as
some of the kind has been found in Greece.
The present Plate renders a description of the sculptured lions unnecessary; and indeed this work does not admit of
disquisitions and conjectures upon the origin and meaning of this curious remnant of antiquity. A more circumstantial
account of it may be seen in the narrative of my travels in Greece.—2d Vol. 6th Chap.
n^*