DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5309#0046
FRAGMENT OF A BASS-RELIEF FOUND AT ELEUSIS.
We think ourselves well grounded in the opinion, that this fragment fonncd part of a
marble representing some of the Eleusinian solemnities. The young man, who pre-
cedes the other figures, not being armed, it is evident that our sculpture can have no
relation to the Panathenaia. It is well known that the Eleusinian festival lasted nine
days ; in which, besides various private ceremonies, the initiated marched several times
through the city of Eleusis, formed into a regular procession ; one of these processions
appears, to be partly designed in the marble before us : we do not mean the solemnity of
Iacchus, nor that of the torches, but the procession which was observed the fourth day ;
for in our fragment we find a female figure, with a small box on her shoulders. Now
in the Eleusinian procession of the fourth day, a chariot drawn by oxen was followed by
women, each of whom carried a small box, containing cakes, wool, herbs, pomegranates,
and poppies. It must not be omitted, that by this bass-relief, as well as by others
found at Athens, and in the present collection, the curious may acquire the knowledge
of an antique cornice, remarkable for its simple, and at the same time very elegant
structure ; it consists of two Attic pilasters supporting a roof.
ANNUAL PROCESSION AT MEGARA.
This fragment of bass-relief must have belonged to some marble representing a reli-
gious pomp or procession ; and as it was found at Megara, there is ground for conjec-
turing, that it is a figurative imitation of the annual ceremony practised by the women
ot Megara, when they assembled for the purpose of calling out Proserpine from a
place named Anaclcthra; because they believed that there Ceres had often been in
quest of her daughter. It is probable, that men and boys accompanied the proces-
sion made on such occasions.
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We think ourselves well grounded in the opinion, that this fragment fonncd part of a
marble representing some of the Eleusinian solemnities. The young man, who pre-
cedes the other figures, not being armed, it is evident that our sculpture can have no
relation to the Panathenaia. It is well known that the Eleusinian festival lasted nine
days ; in which, besides various private ceremonies, the initiated marched several times
through the city of Eleusis, formed into a regular procession ; one of these processions
appears, to be partly designed in the marble before us : we do not mean the solemnity of
Iacchus, nor that of the torches, but the procession which was observed the fourth day ;
for in our fragment we find a female figure, with a small box on her shoulders. Now
in the Eleusinian procession of the fourth day, a chariot drawn by oxen was followed by
women, each of whom carried a small box, containing cakes, wool, herbs, pomegranates,
and poppies. It must not be omitted, that by this bass-relief, as well as by others
found at Athens, and in the present collection, the curious may acquire the knowledge
of an antique cornice, remarkable for its simple, and at the same time very elegant
structure ; it consists of two Attic pilasters supporting a roof.
ANNUAL PROCESSION AT MEGARA.
This fragment of bass-relief must have belonged to some marble representing a reli-
gious pomp or procession ; and as it was found at Megara, there is ground for conjec-
turing, that it is a figurative imitation of the annual ceremony practised by the women
ot Megara, when they assembled for the purpose of calling out Proserpine from a
place named Anaclcthra; because they believed that there Ceres had often been in
quest of her daughter. It is probable, that men and boys accompanied the proces-
sion made on such occasions.
25