DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8944#0088
186
ARTHUR J. EVANS
this idea, but on the other hand the elaborate entablature of two stages,
which they support, weighs in favour of the sacral gateway.
In considering the pillar cult of the Mycenaeans we are continually brought
face to face with an aspect of this ancient worship, which can never be
lost sight of—its connexion namely with the monumental forms of primitive
sepulchral ritual. In India, where a living study can be made of this baetylic
cult, it is seen at every turn to be deep-rooted in sepulchral religion. The stone
chamber of the grave mound can itself be regarded as the dwelling-place of a
Spirit, and receive worship as a divinity. At other times it is dissociated from
direct sepulchral contact, and becomes a miniature shrine for a small pillar idol.
Good examples of a dolmen shrine of this kind placed at the foot of sacred
trees may still be seen in the Shiarai Hills between Madras and Malabar,1 of
which one is reproduced for comparison in Fig. GO. Here we see the rude
baetylic pillar surrounded by smaller pebbles, set up on the floor of the
Fig. 60.—Baetylic Stone in Dolmen Shrine, Seiabai Hills, India.
megalithic cell in a manner which recalls the small pillars seen within the
shrines in some of the Mycenaean cult scenes described above.
In other cases it will be seen that the baetylic pillar itself performs
a structural function and helps to support the capstone of its dolmen shrine.
The Mycenaean column in its developed architectural form, as can be
seen from its entablature, essentially belongs to woodwork structure. The
fundamental idea of its sanctity as a ' pillar of the house,' may at times, as in
the instances quoted above,2 have been derived from the original sanctity of
the tree trunk whence it was hewn, and a form, in this way possessing
religious associations, have been taken over into stone-work. But there
is also what seems to be conclusive evidence that among the Mycenaeans
pillar supports of a very primitive form of stone construction have left their
trace on the Mycenaean column in its perfected shape, and explain indeed
its most characteristic feature, namely the downward tapering outline which
1 M. J. Wallhouse, 'Non-Sepulchral Bade Stone Monuments,' Journ. Anthr. Innl. vii.
p. 21 scqq.
2 See p. 145.
ARTHUR J. EVANS
this idea, but on the other hand the elaborate entablature of two stages,
which they support, weighs in favour of the sacral gateway.
In considering the pillar cult of the Mycenaeans we are continually brought
face to face with an aspect of this ancient worship, which can never be
lost sight of—its connexion namely with the monumental forms of primitive
sepulchral ritual. In India, where a living study can be made of this baetylic
cult, it is seen at every turn to be deep-rooted in sepulchral religion. The stone
chamber of the grave mound can itself be regarded as the dwelling-place of a
Spirit, and receive worship as a divinity. At other times it is dissociated from
direct sepulchral contact, and becomes a miniature shrine for a small pillar idol.
Good examples of a dolmen shrine of this kind placed at the foot of sacred
trees may still be seen in the Shiarai Hills between Madras and Malabar,1 of
which one is reproduced for comparison in Fig. GO. Here we see the rude
baetylic pillar surrounded by smaller pebbles, set up on the floor of the
Fig. 60.—Baetylic Stone in Dolmen Shrine, Seiabai Hills, India.
megalithic cell in a manner which recalls the small pillars seen within the
shrines in some of the Mycenaean cult scenes described above.
In other cases it will be seen that the baetylic pillar itself performs
a structural function and helps to support the capstone of its dolmen shrine.
The Mycenaean column in its developed architectural form, as can be
seen from its entablature, essentially belongs to woodwork structure. The
fundamental idea of its sanctity as a ' pillar of the house,' may at times, as in
the instances quoted above,2 have been derived from the original sanctity of
the tree trunk whence it was hewn, and a form, in this way possessing
religious associations, have been taken over into stone-work. But there
is also what seems to be conclusive evidence that among the Mycenaeans
pillar supports of a very primitive form of stone construction have left their
trace on the Mycenaean column in its perfected shape, and explain indeed
its most characteristic feature, namely the downward tapering outline which
1 M. J. Wallhouse, 'Non-Sepulchral Bade Stone Monuments,' Journ. Anthr. Innl. vii.
p. 21 scqq.
2 See p. 145.