DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7382#0121
XXXI. AEGINA
The Aeginetans were the most powerful trading people of Greece in archaic times.
They had a concession at Naucratis and built themselves a precinct there under the
patronage of Pharaoh Aahmes II, 570-526 B.C. The sea-power of Aegina was no doubt
fostered by King Pheidon of Argos who seems to have dominated most of the Saronic
Gulf in the early seventh century. He probably struck the first coins ever minted
on the Mainland in this island, and it was this legacy of his which was their great
power in later times.
The two sites where Egyptian objects have been found are the two precincts: that
of Aphrodite on the west coast by Aegina Town, and that of Aphaia in the pine woods
overlooking the eastern shore. That the majority of these objects come from Naucratis
is made almost certain by the presence of many faience figures of Flute-Players, a
common combination at Naucratis of an Egyptian material and a Hellenic subject.
It is not my intention here to do anything but state the facts, but there is one point
which is well worth investigation. Aegina is Peloponnesian, probably by race, certainly
by sympathy; she always ranks herself with the Peloponnese whether in weight,
standards or weapons. How is it that she has not more in common with the Pelopon-
nesian school of art? How is it that whereas the Argive school and the rest of the
early fifth-century Peloponnesians delight in heavy, almost over-muscled, figures,
Aegina produces these marvels of slimness and lightness? Is it possible that it is due
to the influence of the Saite art of the previous century? The Saites had gone back
to the Pyramid Age for their models. They loved the slim, high-shouldered, rather dry
figure, very light on its feet. Is it possible that it is the Greek passion for motion,
coupled with the Saite love for slimness, that has produced these masterpieces?
95
The Aeginetans were the most powerful trading people of Greece in archaic times.
They had a concession at Naucratis and built themselves a precinct there under the
patronage of Pharaoh Aahmes II, 570-526 B.C. The sea-power of Aegina was no doubt
fostered by King Pheidon of Argos who seems to have dominated most of the Saronic
Gulf in the early seventh century. He probably struck the first coins ever minted
on the Mainland in this island, and it was this legacy of his which was their great
power in later times.
The two sites where Egyptian objects have been found are the two precincts: that
of Aphrodite on the west coast by Aegina Town, and that of Aphaia in the pine woods
overlooking the eastern shore. That the majority of these objects come from Naucratis
is made almost certain by the presence of many faience figures of Flute-Players, a
common combination at Naucratis of an Egyptian material and a Hellenic subject.
It is not my intention here to do anything but state the facts, but there is one point
which is well worth investigation. Aegina is Peloponnesian, probably by race, certainly
by sympathy; she always ranks herself with the Peloponnese whether in weight,
standards or weapons. How is it that she has not more in common with the Pelopon-
nesian school of art? How is it that whereas the Argive school and the rest of the
early fifth-century Peloponnesians delight in heavy, almost over-muscled, figures,
Aegina produces these marvels of slimness and lightness? Is it possible that it is due
to the influence of the Saite art of the previous century? The Saites had gone back
to the Pyramid Age for their models. They loved the slim, high-shouldered, rather dry
figure, very light on its feet. Is it possible that it is the Greek passion for motion,
coupled with the Saite love for slimness, that has produced these masterpieces?
95