DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1021#0135
92 THE MYCENAEAN AGE
One of these stones from Grave V. is here published
(Plate XI.). In subject and treatment it is typical. The
space to be treated is laid off in two equal parts, one above
another. The upper and larger compartment is filled in
with a spiral decoration; the lower with a figure-subject,
representing a man mounted upon a chariot drawn by one
horse (apparently), with another man at the horse's head.
Only the forward part of the chariot box with a single
four-spoked wheel1 is represented: as we must assume a
second wheel, so undoubtedly we are to take the horse as
standing for a span. The charioteer holds the reins in his
right hand, while the left apparently rests on the hilt of a
huge broadsword which tapers to a point, like a spear-head.
There is nothing to show for pole or traces, the reins alone
serving to establish a relation between chariot and horse.
The footman seems to be grasping the horse's forelock
with his right hand, while in his left he holds uplifted a
curiously shaped sword — broad in the middle and tapering
to both ends. This is generally interpreted as a hostile
encounter (so Schliemann, Schuchhardt, Perrot) j but the
footman may be taken for an attendant rather than an
enemy. We prefer to read the subject as a chief bound
for battle or the chase, attended by his squire. In Homer
we should see the latter in the chariot with his chief; but
the Mycenaean sculptor was not such a master of perspec-
tive as to find room for him there or beside the chariot or
horse. The spaces about the figures are filled as usual
with spirals.
Another stele from this grave presents a kindred com-
position, but here the man in front is clearly making at the
mounted man with a spear. The third stone — of which
1 The Homeric chariot wheel has eight spokes — at least this is true of the
Olympian car which Hera drives (n6n\a. xd^«ea bitTaKvnua, Iliad, v. 723).
One of these stones from Grave V. is here published
(Plate XI.). In subject and treatment it is typical. The
space to be treated is laid off in two equal parts, one above
another. The upper and larger compartment is filled in
with a spiral decoration; the lower with a figure-subject,
representing a man mounted upon a chariot drawn by one
horse (apparently), with another man at the horse's head.
Only the forward part of the chariot box with a single
four-spoked wheel1 is represented: as we must assume a
second wheel, so undoubtedly we are to take the horse as
standing for a span. The charioteer holds the reins in his
right hand, while the left apparently rests on the hilt of a
huge broadsword which tapers to a point, like a spear-head.
There is nothing to show for pole or traces, the reins alone
serving to establish a relation between chariot and horse.
The footman seems to be grasping the horse's forelock
with his right hand, while in his left he holds uplifted a
curiously shaped sword — broad in the middle and tapering
to both ends. This is generally interpreted as a hostile
encounter (so Schliemann, Schuchhardt, Perrot) j but the
footman may be taken for an attendant rather than an
enemy. We prefer to read the subject as a chief bound
for battle or the chase, attended by his squire. In Homer
we should see the latter in the chariot with his chief; but
the Mycenaean sculptor was not such a master of perspec-
tive as to find room for him there or beside the chariot or
horse. The spaces about the figures are filled as usual
with spirals.
Another stele from this grave presents a kindred com-
position, but here the man in front is clearly making at the
mounted man with a spear. The third stone — of which
1 The Homeric chariot wheel has eight spokes — at least this is true of the
Olympian car which Hera drives (n6n\a. xd^«ea bitTaKvnua, Iliad, v. 723).