DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1021#0252
ARMS AND WAR
201
■
I
m
G
On one side, we have a lion giv-
ing chase to five gazelles, with the
hindmost already in his clutches,
while the rest are in headlong
flight; on the other side we have
the lion-hunt, so often referred to
in these pages. Five hunters
have closed with three lions, and
are getting the better of them.
One of the lions is indeed poun-
cing on the foremost pursuer, who
is already prostrate and entan-
gled in his shield ; hut his com-
rades are pressing on to his relief,
while the other lions are in full
retreat. The men, clad in the
simple loin-apron, are armed one
with the bow, the* rest (doubt-
less including the fallen hunter
whose weapon is not in sight)
with the long spear. The spear-
men have great shields — the
notched oval and the oblong-
shield alternating — slung from
the shoulder by the strap (rfXa-
(i&v)} except in the case of the
prostrate man whose shield has
become detached.
On the boldness and symme-
try of this design, we need not
enlarge; the whole scene is in-
stinct with life and speaks for
itself. As a painting it would challenge admiration, but as
Jr%
;;r~vi
Inlaid Dagger-blade
(Grave IV.)
201
■
I
m
G
On one side, we have a lion giv-
ing chase to five gazelles, with the
hindmost already in his clutches,
while the rest are in headlong
flight; on the other side we have
the lion-hunt, so often referred to
in these pages. Five hunters
have closed with three lions, and
are getting the better of them.
One of the lions is indeed poun-
cing on the foremost pursuer, who
is already prostrate and entan-
gled in his shield ; hut his com-
rades are pressing on to his relief,
while the other lions are in full
retreat. The men, clad in the
simple loin-apron, are armed one
with the bow, the* rest (doubt-
less including the fallen hunter
whose weapon is not in sight)
with the long spear. The spear-
men have great shields — the
notched oval and the oblong-
shield alternating — slung from
the shoulder by the strap (rfXa-
(i&v)} except in the case of the
prostrate man whose shield has
become detached.
On the boldness and symme-
try of this design, we need not
enlarge; the whole scene is in-
stinct with life and speaks for
itself. As a painting it would challenge admiration, but as
Jr%
;;r~vi
Inlaid Dagger-blade
(Grave IV.)