DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5309#0041
As to the Demos Phlya, it is mentioned by Pausanias, and placed by him near to
that of Myrrhinus. In every topography of the Athenian territory we find it set down
under the tribe Cecropidae ; which may serve to give a greater sanction to our remarks
on the bass-relief ; since Cecrops is here represented as the name-giving hero and
protector of the tribe in which the Phlyans were inscribed.
The figures of the suppliants are smaller than those of the heroes, and seem to bear
the same proportion, that appears in a large medal of Antoninus, between Hercules
and the Arcadians, who are expressing their gratitude to that hero for the destruction
of Cacus. A like disparity is seen, in a picture of Herculancum, between Theseus and
the Athenians extricated from the labyrinth. The antiquities of that place, published
at Naples, may be consulted, where the custom of figuring heroes of a higher stature,
and larger size than other men, is properly noticed and illustrated. In the old monu-
ments, however, discovered in Italy, this difference in the figures seldom occurs, but is
very frequent in those imported from Greece. It seems that the suppliants are leading
a ram to the altar ; but whether to offer in the mode prescribed when sacrificing to
the Powers above, or in that observed in the funeral rites of heroes, the marble does
not show, nor can we possibly guess.
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that of Myrrhinus. In every topography of the Athenian territory we find it set down
under the tribe Cecropidae ; which may serve to give a greater sanction to our remarks
on the bass-relief ; since Cecrops is here represented as the name-giving hero and
protector of the tribe in which the Phlyans were inscribed.
The figures of the suppliants are smaller than those of the heroes, and seem to bear
the same proportion, that appears in a large medal of Antoninus, between Hercules
and the Arcadians, who are expressing their gratitude to that hero for the destruction
of Cacus. A like disparity is seen, in a picture of Herculancum, between Theseus and
the Athenians extricated from the labyrinth. The antiquities of that place, published
at Naples, may be consulted, where the custom of figuring heroes of a higher stature,
and larger size than other men, is properly noticed and illustrated. In the old monu-
ments, however, discovered in Italy, this difference in the figures seldom occurs, but is
very frequent in those imported from Greece. It seems that the suppliants are leading
a ram to the altar ; but whether to offer in the mode prescribed when sacrificing to
the Powers above, or in that observed in the funeral rites of heroes, the marble does
not show, nor can we possibly guess.
21