DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1118#0574
92o REPRESENTATIONS OF ALTAR-BASES
and the fore-feet of the two lions of the Mycenae gateway. A striking
religious parallel indeed is here, presented
by the altar-base as thus depicted beside
the throne and the semi-divine personage
that once occupied it, and that beneath the
sacred pillar of the Lions' Gate—itself the
equivalent of the Godhead—which was also
confronted by guardian monsters. In the
youthful long-robed figure on the seal-types
described below1 we may perhaps recognize
the last occupant of the throne itself.
This aspect of the throne as formino-
the centre of a religious composition is
well brought out in the photographic view (Fig. S95) of this side of the
Chamber with the painted stucco designs on its walls as restored, showing
on either side of it the altar-bases and confronted Griffins.
Fig. 894. Design showing In-
curved Altar-Bases on either
Side of Throne.
Sanctuary
with altar
ledge.
The Inner Sanctuary.
The religious associations, suggested by so many elements in the ' Room
of the Throne ' itself, were heightened by the vision—already referred to—
opened out by the doorway in its West side on the altar ledge of the small
inner chamber beyond. (See Plan, Fig. S77.) The images of the Goddess
and her votaries, the Sacral Horns, and Double Axes, such as once had been
placed here, had disappeared. A silver armlet and some goldfoil found on
the ledge were themselves outliers from a Treasure, the bulk of which, as
described below, was found in and round the Lustral Basin of the adjoining'
area. The little Shrine itself was flanked by a wall projection. This
Sanctuary chamber, which only received borrowed light through the door-
way, must have been very dark, and the discovery here ofahigh-pedestalled
stone lamp was quite appropriate. A still darker cell—perhaps a store-room,
but void of contents—opened into it on the North side. (See Plan, Fig. 877.)
The
' Throne
Room'
Suite.
The 'Room of the Throne' in Relation to the Surrounding' Structures.
'1 he 'Room of the Throne' only stood in connexion beyond with this
little sanctuary. The narrow passage-way South, behind the Lustral
Basin, led to a Magazine, later blocked, belonging to the Earlier Palace
system. The whole of this ground-floor area, entered by the Ante-room
1 See below, p. 925 (cf. p. 414, Fig. 343, />) and p. 946, Fig. 914 bis.
and the fore-feet of the two lions of the Mycenae gateway. A striking
religious parallel indeed is here, presented
by the altar-base as thus depicted beside
the throne and the semi-divine personage
that once occupied it, and that beneath the
sacred pillar of the Lions' Gate—itself the
equivalent of the Godhead—which was also
confronted by guardian monsters. In the
youthful long-robed figure on the seal-types
described below1 we may perhaps recognize
the last occupant of the throne itself.
This aspect of the throne as formino-
the centre of a religious composition is
well brought out in the photographic view (Fig. S95) of this side of the
Chamber with the painted stucco designs on its walls as restored, showing
on either side of it the altar-bases and confronted Griffins.
Fig. 894. Design showing In-
curved Altar-Bases on either
Side of Throne.
Sanctuary
with altar
ledge.
The Inner Sanctuary.
The religious associations, suggested by so many elements in the ' Room
of the Throne ' itself, were heightened by the vision—already referred to—
opened out by the doorway in its West side on the altar ledge of the small
inner chamber beyond. (See Plan, Fig. S77.) The images of the Goddess
and her votaries, the Sacral Horns, and Double Axes, such as once had been
placed here, had disappeared. A silver armlet and some goldfoil found on
the ledge were themselves outliers from a Treasure, the bulk of which, as
described below, was found in and round the Lustral Basin of the adjoining'
area. The little Shrine itself was flanked by a wall projection. This
Sanctuary chamber, which only received borrowed light through the door-
way, must have been very dark, and the discovery here ofahigh-pedestalled
stone lamp was quite appropriate. A still darker cell—perhaps a store-room,
but void of contents—opened into it on the North side. (See Plan, Fig. 877.)
The
' Throne
Room'
Suite.
The 'Room of the Throne' in Relation to the Surrounding' Structures.
'1 he 'Room of the Throne' only stood in connexion beyond with this
little sanctuary. The narrow passage-way South, behind the Lustral
Basin, led to a Magazine, later blocked, belonging to the Earlier Palace
system. The whole of this ground-floor area, entered by the Ante-room
1 See below, p. 925 (cf. p. 414, Fig. 343, />) and p. 946, Fig. 914 bis.