DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14144#0353
THE A TLANTES.
3'7
Temple of Athene Polias, called Camphora (basket-bearers). ' These
maidens dwell for a certain period with the goddess, and when the
festive day arrives they carry on their heads in the night certain
things which the priestess orders them to take ; the priestess, however,
neither knowing what she gives them, nor the virgins what they carry.'1
It is thought that the basket-like capital above the head of the maidens
may be a reminiscence of these Canephora;.
In the first instance probably the idea of compulsory and servile
labouris connected with this architectural
IMG. 134.
novelty. This was certainly the case with
the Ailantcs, the giants (fig. 134) who
support the roof of the Temple of Zeus at
Agrigentum with bowed heads and up-
lifted arms, and are evidently bear-
ing a weight which it needs all their
strength to uphold. In the case before
us 'the maidens'' seem to be perform-
ing a voluntary and comparatively
easy task in honour of the deity
they serve. Their rich dress, stately
bearing, and erect heads banish all ideas
of meanness and servility. The massive j {— ——■ J
strength of their frames compared with
the light weight they bear, establishes
that harmony between the bearer and the borne which accords with
the fundamental principle of Greek architecture—that every member
of a building must not only rest securely on its support, but appear to
do so. They bear their burden easily, as we see from the fact that
the hands are unemployed, except in slightly lifting the robe. The
knee of one leg is a little bent, so as to give some life and grace to
the human pillar, without interfering too much with its architectural
1 Forchhammcr (* Emhthcion ti. T. of A. daughters of Erechtheus, raised to heaven
Ponds'1 in Arch. Zcit. 1876, p. 76) tries to as the Hyades, who had sacrificed, them-
bring them into connexion with Erechtheus, selves for their country. The name of the
and derives their name from the channel analogous Ilyakinthides (and Kap-uaTiSts?)
above their heads by which the water ran also points to their relation to rain.'
off the roof. ' They are,' he says, ' the six
3'7
Temple of Athene Polias, called Camphora (basket-bearers). ' These
maidens dwell for a certain period with the goddess, and when the
festive day arrives they carry on their heads in the night certain
things which the priestess orders them to take ; the priestess, however,
neither knowing what she gives them, nor the virgins what they carry.'1
It is thought that the basket-like capital above the head of the maidens
may be a reminiscence of these Canephora;.
In the first instance probably the idea of compulsory and servile
labouris connected with this architectural
IMG. 134.
novelty. This was certainly the case with
the Ailantcs, the giants (fig. 134) who
support the roof of the Temple of Zeus at
Agrigentum with bowed heads and up-
lifted arms, and are evidently bear-
ing a weight which it needs all their
strength to uphold. In the case before
us 'the maidens'' seem to be perform-
ing a voluntary and comparatively
easy task in honour of the deity
they serve. Their rich dress, stately
bearing, and erect heads banish all ideas
of meanness and servility. The massive j {— ——■ J
strength of their frames compared with
the light weight they bear, establishes
that harmony between the bearer and the borne which accords with
the fundamental principle of Greek architecture—that every member
of a building must not only rest securely on its support, but appear to
do so. They bear their burden easily, as we see from the fact that
the hands are unemployed, except in slightly lifting the robe. The
knee of one leg is a little bent, so as to give some life and grace to
the human pillar, without interfering too much with its architectural
1 Forchhammcr (* Emhthcion ti. T. of A. daughters of Erechtheus, raised to heaven
Ponds'1 in Arch. Zcit. 1876, p. 76) tries to as the Hyades, who had sacrificed, them-
bring them into connexion with Erechtheus, selves for their country. The name of the
and derives their name from the channel analogous Ilyakinthides (and Kap-uaTiSts?)
above their heads by which the water ran also points to their relation to rain.'
off the roof. ' They are,' he says, ' the six