DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0555
CHAPTER XXIX.
DIVERS SCULPTORS AND MONUMENTS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE GREEK
WORLD DURING THE FOURTH CENTURY B.C.
Prominence of Sparta. — Boeotia under Epaniinondas. — Arcadia. — Messene. — Damophon. — Other
Artists of this Age. — Lion of Chaironeia. — Sculptured Reliefs. — Tanagra Figurines. — Their
Diversity.—Their Affinity with Other Works. — Art in Sicily. — Tarentum and Siris Bronzes.—
Eros and Psyche in Berlin. — Art on the Islands and in Asia Minor. — Cnidian Remains. — De-
meter.—Cnidian Lion. — Remains from Temple of Ephesos. — Subjects of Sculptured Columns.
Turning from the dazzling glories of Attic and of Argive-Sikyon art, in this
age of Praxiteles and of Lysippos, we may now seek to gather up the fragment-
ary rays which stray to us from other parts of the Greek world. At the close
of the great civil war which humbled Athens, Sparta stood at the head of the
Greek states. To her leader Lysander, the hero of Aigospotamoi (406 B.C.),
divine honors were paid, the first instance in Greek history of such respect
being shown to living mortals. To him were awarded golden wreaths and
statues; to him altars were raised, offerings made, and hymns of praise were
sung. In emulation of Athenian patronage of arts, two Victories were dedi-
cated by Lysander, in commemoration of the battles of Ephesos and Aigos-
potamoi, besides three tripods in Amyclai, and the colossal group at Delphi
already described (p. 394). But Sparta's narrow-mindedness and sectional spirit
seem to have shown themselves even here, Peloponnesian and insular masters
being employed to the exclusion of the Athenians. The few existing marbles
which may be ascribed to this age show no development in that peculiar art
which had flourished in Laconia, but rather that it had lost its vitality; these
later monuments lacking altogether in local coloring. IO-*oa An aggressive, arro-
gant policy towards the other states and the foreign powers caused Sparta's
rapid decline from her leadership. The young Theban power in Boeotia was
now roused against her; and under the guidance of Pelopidas and Epaminon-
das, the Arcadian confederacy was consolidated, and its new capital, Megalo-
polis, laid out in 370 B.C. Temples were built, and furnished with statues;
theatres and bridges were put up; and a colossal ring, fifty stadia in length,
enclosed this new city, which could thus be appropriately called " the great
city." The ruins still testify to the skill and taste of the builders. Mantineia
was also now rebuilt, and its temples filled with new statues ; the shrine of
520
DIVERS SCULPTORS AND MONUMENTS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE GREEK
WORLD DURING THE FOURTH CENTURY B.C.
Prominence of Sparta. — Boeotia under Epaniinondas. — Arcadia. — Messene. — Damophon. — Other
Artists of this Age. — Lion of Chaironeia. — Sculptured Reliefs. — Tanagra Figurines. — Their
Diversity.—Their Affinity with Other Works. — Art in Sicily. — Tarentum and Siris Bronzes.—
Eros and Psyche in Berlin. — Art on the Islands and in Asia Minor. — Cnidian Remains. — De-
meter.—Cnidian Lion. — Remains from Temple of Ephesos. — Subjects of Sculptured Columns.
Turning from the dazzling glories of Attic and of Argive-Sikyon art, in this
age of Praxiteles and of Lysippos, we may now seek to gather up the fragment-
ary rays which stray to us from other parts of the Greek world. At the close
of the great civil war which humbled Athens, Sparta stood at the head of the
Greek states. To her leader Lysander, the hero of Aigospotamoi (406 B.C.),
divine honors were paid, the first instance in Greek history of such respect
being shown to living mortals. To him were awarded golden wreaths and
statues; to him altars were raised, offerings made, and hymns of praise were
sung. In emulation of Athenian patronage of arts, two Victories were dedi-
cated by Lysander, in commemoration of the battles of Ephesos and Aigos-
potamoi, besides three tripods in Amyclai, and the colossal group at Delphi
already described (p. 394). But Sparta's narrow-mindedness and sectional spirit
seem to have shown themselves even here, Peloponnesian and insular masters
being employed to the exclusion of the Athenians. The few existing marbles
which may be ascribed to this age show no development in that peculiar art
which had flourished in Laconia, but rather that it had lost its vitality; these
later monuments lacking altogether in local coloring. IO-*oa An aggressive, arro-
gant policy towards the other states and the foreign powers caused Sparta's
rapid decline from her leadership. The young Theban power in Boeotia was
now roused against her; and under the guidance of Pelopidas and Epaminon-
das, the Arcadian confederacy was consolidated, and its new capital, Megalo-
polis, laid out in 370 B.C. Temples were built, and furnished with statues;
theatres and bridges were put up; and a colossal ring, fifty stadia in length,
enclosed this new city, which could thus be appropriately called " the great
city." The ruins still testify to the skill and taste of the builders. Mantineia
was also now rebuilt, and its temples filled with new statues ; the shrine of
520