The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-11
Greece Three Thousand Years Ago.

While we are trying to save from per-
version or destruction the republic, which
has now lasted out only its first century. an
enthusiastic scholar, forgetful of the pres
cnt, is unearthing the remains of a civil
ization which existed three thousand years
ago.
During this century, and especially dur
ing the last twenty-five years, we have re-
vised our conceptions of tho history of the
peoples who, before the days OF what has
been regarded IA authentic secular record,
dwelt III the western part of Asia, aud
gave birth TO n material prosperity and
perfected language which long nnticI-
pated those Of the nations we now know
rs civilized. The excavations on the Ii
girls. at Hum, at MycenU, and at cyprus.
attest the substantial Foundation and even
minute accuracy Of the stories Of Scrip
turc. HOMER, aud PAUsANIAs, which had
gained credence through faith only, or
were questioned Us almost fabulous tradi-
lions We hnd that SARpANApALUs did
indeed burn, with all his possessions and
his luxurious court, in the manner the an
cieut narrators described; that his city
was rs they pictured it, that Babylon was
il fell rs depicted; that PmAM and ACHIG-
Les AGAMEMNoN and MENELAUs, CLyTEM-
NEsrRA, 1iSEAs, and PARIS, were real peo-
pie. and that ms HOVER describes them
aud their deaths and misiortuncs they
really were.
The latest of these contributions to this
most interesting study of antiquity is that
of DR.. Henri SCHLGEMANN, the enthusias-
tic German antiquary, who is now prose-
cutting, under the favor OF his own and the
Greek Governments. important cXcava-
tions on the site vt the ancient city of
Myccua in the Pcloponncsus Of Greece.
His discoveries there, n brief Geographic
account Of which we publish this morning,
are among the most remarkable in the his
tory OF antiquarian exploration. On the
2sth Of November last DR. ScHLIEMANN,
with "uuboundod JOY. informed the King
Of Greece Of the surprising success of his
lnboIS. He thinks he has discovered the
monuments of the Greciau heroes, of
whom the traditions preserved by Paw
sAN1As make mention, and the palpable
| evidences sustain the truth of the stories
| SO familiar to schoolboys. He has un-
earthed the tombs of AGAHEMSoS, CAS-
| sASDRA, EURYMrDoN, and their COM
| panions, who were FILLED while banquet
| ing ut Ny cenD by CLYTEMNEsTRA. the
faithless wife of AGAMEMNoN, and her
paramour and his cousin, HGIsTHOs. 40
AMEMNoN had just returned from his sue
ccssful siege Of Troy, whittier he had gone
to assist his brother MENELAUs IN resct-
ing his abducted WIFI. HELEN, the sister Of
the corrupt ana murderous CLYTEMNLs-
| IRA, when be met his predicted fate.
| Dr. ScHIIrMANS believes that he has
| not only found these tombs rs PArsANTAs
describes them, hut that he has also un-
enrthcd in them, TO use his own words.
Immense archaeological treasures, and
numbers Of articles of pure gold. sufficient
to nh large museum, and the most splen-
did IN the world" All these treasures, in
the true spnit " an antiquarian, who de-
sires no personal emolumeut, he turns
over TO Greece, and, as he says, they will
become new incentive to pilgrimages tc
that land So fruitful IN interest To scholar,
aud all who enjoy studying the develop
ments of one OF the most marvellous civil
zatlons thu earth has ever known
DR.. SCHIIEMANN's achieV emCnt viii lonl
maze ibis year memorable