Perry, Walter Copland: Greek and Roman sculpture: a popular introduction to the history of Greek and Roman sculpture (London, 1882)

GODS OF THE PELASGT. 15

FIRST PERIOD.

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF ART IN
GREECE TO OL. 70, B.C. 500.

CHAPTER II.
MYTHICAL ART.

The annals of art-history, like all other annals, begin with religious
myths—the streams of human life all flow from heaven. ' Fable,' says
Prof. Brunn,1 ' is ever skilful in filling up the blanks of history. The
first deities fall from the skies, the gods work here on earth, and
finally enter into relation with men and impart to them the arts
of life.'

The ancient Germans, as we learn from Tacitus,2 considered it
derogatory to the majesty of the celestials to confine them within
walls, or to fashion them after the likeness of the human face. 'They
consecrated groves and woods, and called by the names of gods that
mysterious something which is seen by reverence alone.' And in like
manner their fellow Aryans, 'the Pelasgi,' says Herodotus,3'at first
sacrificed to the gods by general invocations, as I was confidently
assured at Dodona, without giving them any names, because they had
not heard of any. And they called them Gods, i.e. poivcrs—because

1 Kunst bci Homer. ' Dc Moribus Girin. ix. • jj. $2.