DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0208
176 ARCHAIC SCULPTURE.
The Greek world during this century presents the spectacle of a ripened
civilization clasping hands with material prosperity. In the fore-front stand
the artistic Ionians, favored by their natural gifts, and their closer intercourse
with Asia and Egypt. Ionian soldiers in the hire of Psammetichos had pierced
the heart of the Nile valley, and scratched their names on the colossi of Rame-
ses at Aboo-Simbel. At Sai's there was a vigorous Greek settlement, having a
common temple and the regular worship of the Greek gods. Here the mer-
chants from Miletos had their Apollo temple, and the Samians and ^Eginetans
each their special shrines. Greek mercenaries, doubtless from the coasts of
Asia Minor and the islands, served under the Chaldaean Nebuchadnezzar
(604 B.C.), among whom was the brother of Alcaios, Sappho's poet-lover. The
intercourse of the Greek cities with the Lydian princes was a lively one. Aly-
attes and Croesus sent consecrated gifts, the works of Greek masters, to far-off
Delphi. But the rising Persian power now gradually spread westward; and the
Greek cities of the Asia-Minor coast, towards the close of the century, felt its
encroaching influence, which forced their population to leave their homes, and
thus disseminate their culture westward.259 Colonization still continued; and,
from the older lands, there seems to have been an uninterrupted exodus to the
prosperous new states, with which an active commerce was kept up. Wares
from the mother-lands were exported, to be spread far and wide. Thus bronzes
and vases were, without doubt, sent to the colonies in Southern Italy, and even
to Etruria. The same is true of the trade of Corinth, for its vases have been
found in great numbers in Etruscan tombs.
In the political world, although tyrants still ruled in many cities, the spirit
of freedom was fermenting in society. Polycrates of Samos (532 B.C.), and
Peisistratos of Athens (560-527 B.C.), by popular laws, were it only from self-
interest, served the well-being of their states, and encouraged what was attrac-
tive and beautiful. Philosophers began to ponder on deep and unknown
things. Pythagoras (530 B.C.), leaving the oppressive atmosphere of the
tyrant's court at Samos, removed to Croton in Southern Italy, where he soon
gathered earnest and enthusiastic scholars. At the same time Xenophanes,
from Colophon in Asia Minor, found a quiet home in Elea, near the bay of
Naples, and there expounded his theories, and established an important school.
The Homeric songs, transmitted orally from father to son, were, perhaps, now
collected, and committed to writing. Epic poetry was, however, a thing of the
past; and drama, young and strong, now put on its mask, and mounted the stage ;
while lyric verse found a cordial welcome at the courts of the tyrants. There the
merry Anacreon composed his songs of love and mirth ; Simonides, from Keos,
sang the praises of the great; and Lasos, from Hermione, instructed the youthful
and high-born Pindar (521-441 B.C.) ; while Stcsichoros, the great innovator,
who lived in Sicily, was equally at home in Hellas and Ionia. Athletic games
in all parts of the land trained the youth to graceful skill, and inured to hardship.
The Greek world during this century presents the spectacle of a ripened
civilization clasping hands with material prosperity. In the fore-front stand
the artistic Ionians, favored by their natural gifts, and their closer intercourse
with Asia and Egypt. Ionian soldiers in the hire of Psammetichos had pierced
the heart of the Nile valley, and scratched their names on the colossi of Rame-
ses at Aboo-Simbel. At Sai's there was a vigorous Greek settlement, having a
common temple and the regular worship of the Greek gods. Here the mer-
chants from Miletos had their Apollo temple, and the Samians and ^Eginetans
each their special shrines. Greek mercenaries, doubtless from the coasts of
Asia Minor and the islands, served under the Chaldaean Nebuchadnezzar
(604 B.C.), among whom was the brother of Alcaios, Sappho's poet-lover. The
intercourse of the Greek cities with the Lydian princes was a lively one. Aly-
attes and Croesus sent consecrated gifts, the works of Greek masters, to far-off
Delphi. But the rising Persian power now gradually spread westward; and the
Greek cities of the Asia-Minor coast, towards the close of the century, felt its
encroaching influence, which forced their population to leave their homes, and
thus disseminate their culture westward.259 Colonization still continued; and,
from the older lands, there seems to have been an uninterrupted exodus to the
prosperous new states, with which an active commerce was kept up. Wares
from the mother-lands were exported, to be spread far and wide. Thus bronzes
and vases were, without doubt, sent to the colonies in Southern Italy, and even
to Etruria. The same is true of the trade of Corinth, for its vases have been
found in great numbers in Etruscan tombs.
In the political world, although tyrants still ruled in many cities, the spirit
of freedom was fermenting in society. Polycrates of Samos (532 B.C.), and
Peisistratos of Athens (560-527 B.C.), by popular laws, were it only from self-
interest, served the well-being of their states, and encouraged what was attrac-
tive and beautiful. Philosophers began to ponder on deep and unknown
things. Pythagoras (530 B.C.), leaving the oppressive atmosphere of the
tyrant's court at Samos, removed to Croton in Southern Italy, where he soon
gathered earnest and enthusiastic scholars. At the same time Xenophanes,
from Colophon in Asia Minor, found a quiet home in Elea, near the bay of
Naples, and there expounded his theories, and established an important school.
The Homeric songs, transmitted orally from father to son, were, perhaps, now
collected, and committed to writing. Epic poetry was, however, a thing of the
past; and drama, young and strong, now put on its mask, and mounted the stage ;
while lyric verse found a cordial welcome at the courts of the tyrants. There the
merry Anacreon composed his songs of love and mirth ; Simonides, from Keos,
sang the praises of the great; and Lasos, from Hermione, instructed the youthful
and high-born Pindar (521-441 B.C.) ; while Stcsichoros, the great innovator,
who lived in Sicily, was equally at home in Hellas and Ionia. Athletic games
in all parts of the land trained the youth to graceful skill, and inured to hardship.