DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0600
564
THE HELLENISTIC AGE OF SCULPTURE.
the Apostle Paul's epistle; but we are less familiar with the deeds of these
their fierce forefathers, who, in the third century B.C., were tempted away
from their Northern homes by stories of marvellous treasures piled up in
Greek temples. One part of these hordes, pouring clown into Macedonia and
Hellas, plundering, burning, and massacring wherever they went, even attacked
Apollo's sacred shrine at Delphi; another, passing over into Asia Minor, like-
wise spreading panic before them, levied everywhere heavy tribute which none
ventured to refuse except the sturdy Attalos. Pausanias, in describing the
deeds of these marauders in Greece, cannot find words strong enough to depict
their atrocities.1123 He tells us how they raged even against the weak of their
own number, killing those who could not follow in the flight. Suffice it, that
we have some idea of the anguish and distress they caused. To appreciate
fully the formidableness of this foe that Attalos had to meet, we must hear
what Pausanias relates of their fierce bravery and fearless scorn of death. The
only protection they had in battle, he tells us, were their shields ; and they had
little knowledge of the science of war. Like wild beasts, they attacked the
enemy with a vehemence and courage almost unparalleled. Nor did their fury
cease so long as breath was in their bodies, even when felled by the battle-axe
or sword, or when pierced by arrow or spear. Some even drew the spear out of
their wounds, and hurled it at the enemy, or used it in close hand-to-hand fight.
The giant stature and power of these barbarians are described also by Diodo-
ros, who makes the picture more vivid, by telling of their tough skin and
bristling hair, made still stiffer by the use of a peculiar salve, and by being
brushed off from the forehead, down toward the neck, as is seen in the heads
of Pan and the satyrs, by which treatment it also became thick, and much
resembled horses' manes."2-t A few had the beard entirely shaven; others,
and especially those of rank, left only the mustache, but so long and full
as to cover the mouth. They carried into battle a bent horn and a large
shield. Their favorite adornment, he adds, was the twisted necklace of metal,
called the torque, still found in Celtic graves.
With this uncouth but powerful enemy, the armies of Attalos I. and of his
son Eumenes II. were frequently forced to contend; and Pliny, in a tantaliz-
ingly short sentence in his book on bronze-casters, tells us, that several men
represented the battles of Attalos and of Eumenes with the Galatians, mention-
ing Isigonos, Pyromachos, Stratonicos, and Antigonos. I125 Pyromachos is else-
where mentioned both as sculptor and painter."26 He executed a fine statue of
Asclepios, which was carried off from its temple in a sacred grove near Perga-
mon, by Prusias I. of Bithynia, when he invaded the territory of Attalos I. A
kneeling Priapos by Pyromachos is also mentioned, but nothing further is re-
corded of either of these works. Stratonicos was a native of Kyzicos ; and it is
recorded of him in general, that he executed bronze statues of philosophers,
and was considered one of the six most famous chisellers of fine metal.112?
THE HELLENISTIC AGE OF SCULPTURE.
the Apostle Paul's epistle; but we are less familiar with the deeds of these
their fierce forefathers, who, in the third century B.C., were tempted away
from their Northern homes by stories of marvellous treasures piled up in
Greek temples. One part of these hordes, pouring clown into Macedonia and
Hellas, plundering, burning, and massacring wherever they went, even attacked
Apollo's sacred shrine at Delphi; another, passing over into Asia Minor, like-
wise spreading panic before them, levied everywhere heavy tribute which none
ventured to refuse except the sturdy Attalos. Pausanias, in describing the
deeds of these marauders in Greece, cannot find words strong enough to depict
their atrocities.1123 He tells us how they raged even against the weak of their
own number, killing those who could not follow in the flight. Suffice it, that
we have some idea of the anguish and distress they caused. To appreciate
fully the formidableness of this foe that Attalos had to meet, we must hear
what Pausanias relates of their fierce bravery and fearless scorn of death. The
only protection they had in battle, he tells us, were their shields ; and they had
little knowledge of the science of war. Like wild beasts, they attacked the
enemy with a vehemence and courage almost unparalleled. Nor did their fury
cease so long as breath was in their bodies, even when felled by the battle-axe
or sword, or when pierced by arrow or spear. Some even drew the spear out of
their wounds, and hurled it at the enemy, or used it in close hand-to-hand fight.
The giant stature and power of these barbarians are described also by Diodo-
ros, who makes the picture more vivid, by telling of their tough skin and
bristling hair, made still stiffer by the use of a peculiar salve, and by being
brushed off from the forehead, down toward the neck, as is seen in the heads
of Pan and the satyrs, by which treatment it also became thick, and much
resembled horses' manes."2-t A few had the beard entirely shaven; others,
and especially those of rank, left only the mustache, but so long and full
as to cover the mouth. They carried into battle a bent horn and a large
shield. Their favorite adornment, he adds, was the twisted necklace of metal,
called the torque, still found in Celtic graves.
With this uncouth but powerful enemy, the armies of Attalos I. and of his
son Eumenes II. were frequently forced to contend; and Pliny, in a tantaliz-
ingly short sentence in his book on bronze-casters, tells us, that several men
represented the battles of Attalos and of Eumenes with the Galatians, mention-
ing Isigonos, Pyromachos, Stratonicos, and Antigonos. I125 Pyromachos is else-
where mentioned both as sculptor and painter."26 He executed a fine statue of
Asclepios, which was carried off from its temple in a sacred grove near Perga-
mon, by Prusias I. of Bithynia, when he invaded the territory of Attalos I. A
kneeling Priapos by Pyromachos is also mentioned, but nothing further is re-
corded of either of these works. Stratonicos was a native of Kyzicos ; and it is
recorded of him in general, that he executed bronze statues of philosophers,
and was considered one of the six most famous chisellers of fine metal.112?