Huddilston, John H.: The attitude of the Greek tragedians toward art (London, 1898)

86 The Attitude of the Greek

time are the essential ones. The Blacas vase,
which is evidently a product of the period when
Polygnotean frescoes were influencing the vase
painters, stands in a particular connexion with
the idealized canopy which the Delphians had
over their heads at Xouthos' feast. It must be
observed further in this place that nobody but
a person with an artistic eye would have hit
upon the fitness of covering a ceiling with the
story of Helios and Ouranos. This magnificent
description alone would place Euripides by
himself among Greek writers of the classical
period.

The barbarian ships set against the Greek are
intended to recall one particular period. No
Athenian, who heard these words in the fifth
century b. c, would have thought of any other
conflict between Greeks and barbarians than

cf. Elite Ceram.\\. pi. 109-117; Gerhard, Akad. Abhandlungen,
atlas, pi. 5 ff., and Roscher's Lexikon, s. Mondgbitin. The Hermitage
vase, in fragments, published in Compte Rendu, 1861, pi. 3 dis-
cussed by Stephani, ibid, i860, p. 77 ff., is of great interest as
showing us Helios and Selene in their chariots—the former
setting, the latter rising, full orbed as in Euripides' tapestry—
before whom takes place the Bacchic revel. This is the scene in
the temple gable as Pausanias says (10. 19. 4), i.e. with the
addition of Selene which was a probable figure in the gable. We
may be sure at least that Helios was not alone ; either Selene or
Nyx was a natural attendant for the other side.