DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9187#0311
GREEK SARCOPHAGI
255
he takes part are no doubt his hunting and his petty wars with
neighbouring princes, whose armies, like all armies at the time,
were mixed, consisting partly of Macedonians, partly of Greek
mercenaries, and partly of native troops. In knowing so little
of the history of the time, we lose the clue that we might
otherwise possess as to the particular events portrayed.
FIG. 84. ALEXANDER SARCOPHAGUS : LION HUNT.
If we accept this interpretation, we shall be able to explain
one at least of the long friezes which adorn the sides of the
sarcophagus (Fig. 84)l. The subject of it is a lion-hunt. In
the midst is a group, about which the whole scene is balanced.
The lion has turned to bay, and flung himself upon the horse
1 It must be observed that although we are obliged in the engraving to bisect
this relief, it is really continuous. The head of the lion in the upper line fits on
to the body of the lion in the lower line.
255
he takes part are no doubt his hunting and his petty wars with
neighbouring princes, whose armies, like all armies at the time,
were mixed, consisting partly of Macedonians, partly of Greek
mercenaries, and partly of native troops. In knowing so little
of the history of the time, we lose the clue that we might
otherwise possess as to the particular events portrayed.
FIG. 84. ALEXANDER SARCOPHAGUS : LION HUNT.
If we accept this interpretation, we shall be able to explain
one at least of the long friezes which adorn the sides of the
sarcophagus (Fig. 84)l. The subject of it is a lion-hunt. In
the midst is a group, about which the whole scene is balanced.
The lion has turned to bay, and flung himself upon the horse
1 It must be observed that although we are obliged in the engraving to bisect
this relief, it is really continuous. The head of the lion in the upper line fits on
to the body of the lion in the lower line.