Mitchell, Lucy M.: A history of ancient sculpture (New York, 1883)

ACHILLES' SHIELD.

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But most full and glowing is the account of Achilles' shield,21? forged by
Hephaistos' strong arm, " of impenetrable copper and tin, and precious gold
and silver," "its edge clasped with a triple border white and bright. A silver
belt hung from it, and its circles were five." This imaginary shield has given
rise to endless conjecture.2lS Even Roman fancy busied itself with its repro-
duction, as is shown by a marble shield discovered in Rome in 1882, having
reliefs and seventy-five lines of the "Iliad" inscribed on the marble belt run-

Fig, 87. Lion Gate at Mykene.

ning across it. In Homeric verse several shields are described like that of
Achilles, having concentric circles ; and many ancient shields from Etruscan
graves in Italy have the same general plan.-'9

Immediately around the central boss was a ring, in which were "two cities
fair, and full of men," the one picturing peace, the other war: —

" In one were marriages and feasts :
Around the other sat two hosts
In shining armor, bent to lay it waste. The youths
Marched on with Ares and with Pallas at their head,