DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9184#0140
11.8
New Chapters in Greek History. [Chap. v.
CHAPTER V.
RECENT DISCOVERIES AND THE HOMERIC POEMS.
I HAVE above dwelt strongly on the outer or historical
side of the discoveries at Mycenae, because, if they are to
be used at all in illustration of the art of the Homeric
poems, it is of the utmost importance to know exactly
what is their date and origin. It is one thing vaguely to
compare the art products of Mycenae with those spoken
of in Homer, with a view to finding analogies, and quite
another thing to proceed after identifying the art familiar
to the heroes of whom Homer sings, to try to measure by
means of art the space between them and the Iliad. It is
this latter task that I would venture in a very slight and
tentative way to attempt. Of course this is only one line
of argument, and if its results do not agree with those
reached on other lines, we must be ready to reconsider
the matter.
My view, which it may be well to set forth in few words
at once, is this : that the art familiar to the authors of the
Iliad and Odyssey is in many respects like the art revealed
at Mycenae, but distinctly later, and shewing clear evidence
of comparative poverty and degradation.
As to the date and method of composition of the Ho-
meric poems, I cannot speak either in detail or with
authority. But I am quite ready to accept the usually
received view that they grew up during a considerable
space of time, and contain earlier and later elements.
New Chapters in Greek History. [Chap. v.
CHAPTER V.
RECENT DISCOVERIES AND THE HOMERIC POEMS.
I HAVE above dwelt strongly on the outer or historical
side of the discoveries at Mycenae, because, if they are to
be used at all in illustration of the art of the Homeric
poems, it is of the utmost importance to know exactly
what is their date and origin. It is one thing vaguely to
compare the art products of Mycenae with those spoken
of in Homer, with a view to finding analogies, and quite
another thing to proceed after identifying the art familiar
to the heroes of whom Homer sings, to try to measure by
means of art the space between them and the Iliad. It is
this latter task that I would venture in a very slight and
tentative way to attempt. Of course this is only one line
of argument, and if its results do not agree with those
reached on other lines, we must be ready to reconsider
the matter.
My view, which it may be well to set forth in few words
at once, is this : that the art familiar to the authors of the
Iliad and Odyssey is in many respects like the art revealed
at Mycenae, but distinctly later, and shewing clear evidence
of comparative poverty and degradation.
As to the date and method of composition of the Ho-
meric poems, I cannot speak either in detail or with
authority. But I am quite ready to accept the usually
received view that they grew up during a considerable
space of time, and contain earlier and later elements.