DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61301#0121
PHOENICIA.
93
some of Egyptian style, others evidently due to the
influence of Greek sculptors. At Curium were found, as
we have noted, the golden and silver treasure houses,
and side by side with our bowl an impartial mixture of
Assyrian, Egyptian, Phoenician, and early Greek work-
cylinders unmistakably from Assyria, gems engraved
with the cartouches of Egyptian kings. Everywhere,
then, we have evidence that the island of Cyprus was
overswept by successive waves, both of conquest and
peaceful colonization. Its own local art seems little else
but a rude imitation of successive foreign styles. What-
ever power dominated the east ruled for the time being
in Cyprus. Probably its art was most famous when it
was the workshop of Phoenician artists, who skilfully
blended Egyptian and Assyrian materials. We remem-
ber (Iliad xi. 20) that the wondrous breastplate which
the hero Agamemnon wore came to him from this
very island. “ Next again he did his breastplate about
his breast, the breastplate that in time past Cinyras gave
him for a guest-gift. For afar in Cyprus did Cinyras
hear the great rumour how that the Achaians were
about to sail forth to Troy in their ships ; wherefore
did Cinyras give him the breastplate to do pleasure to
the king. Now therein were ten courses of black cyanus,
and twelve of gold, and twenty of tin, and dark blue
snakes writhed up towards the neck, three on either side,
like rainbows that the son of Cronos hath set in the
93
some of Egyptian style, others evidently due to the
influence of Greek sculptors. At Curium were found, as
we have noted, the golden and silver treasure houses,
and side by side with our bowl an impartial mixture of
Assyrian, Egyptian, Phoenician, and early Greek work-
cylinders unmistakably from Assyria, gems engraved
with the cartouches of Egyptian kings. Everywhere,
then, we have evidence that the island of Cyprus was
overswept by successive waves, both of conquest and
peaceful colonization. Its own local art seems little else
but a rude imitation of successive foreign styles. What-
ever power dominated the east ruled for the time being
in Cyprus. Probably its art was most famous when it
was the workshop of Phoenician artists, who skilfully
blended Egyptian and Assyrian materials. We remem-
ber (Iliad xi. 20) that the wondrous breastplate which
the hero Agamemnon wore came to him from this
very island. “ Next again he did his breastplate about
his breast, the breastplate that in time past Cinyras gave
him for a guest-gift. For afar in Cyprus did Cinyras
hear the great rumour how that the Achaians were
about to sail forth to Troy in their ships ; wherefore
did Cinyras give him the breastplate to do pleasure to
the king. Now therein were ten courses of black cyanus,
and twelve of gold, and twenty of tin, and dark blue
snakes writhed up towards the neck, three on either side,
like rainbows that the son of Cronos hath set in the