The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-02-15
THE TOMB OF AGAMEMNON.
WONDERS WHICH INSPIRED THE DIVINE
POEM OF HOMER.


the London Times CT the progress of his dis
eoyeries at Mycena. Under late Of Decem
Der 2Sth, he writes:
1 continue The description Of the jewels
etc., found with the five bodies in the foartl
l tomb. Among the most interesting objects o
this sepulchre l reckon the magnificently or
namentcG golden buttons. Twelve are il
form of cross, and one of them is two ant
one-flfth inches large and three inches long
!. three are somewhat smaller, and the remain
ing eight are Of still less size. OF splendid
ly ornament round gold buttons were foun(
in all two hundred and sixteen, two OF which
are two inches in diameter, seven are thu
size of five-franc piece, and two hundred
and seven are still smaller. All these but
tons. the lower part Of which consists of :
bone button in form of our shirt buttons
must have served on the clothes Of the de
ceased, whereas all which show below only
a fiat piece of bone or wood have evidently
served to decorate the sheath Of swords,
lances, ETC., to which they had been soldered
with tin or otherwise fastened. There were
in all found in the tomb twenty-five two
edged bronzed swords, sixteen of which
are in perfect state Of conservation; fou. OF
them had handles plated with gold and rich
ly ornamented. There were also found with
the swords five large handle buttons, four of
which are of alabaster and one of wood; all
Of them are ornamented with golden nails.
Further, two golden shoulder belts, which
were worn across the the breast; both are
four feet long and one and three fifth inches
broad. There were further found two large
girdie belts ornamented with circles and
flowers, one them is composad OF two pieces.
There was also found part of q similar belt,
and a child's golden glrdle-belt, only one
foot and four inches long and two aud one
fifth inches broad. Further, splendidly Or
namented golden handle, probably sceptre.
1t terminates in a dragons head, whose scales
seem to have been initiated by square pieces
of rock crystal, which are inlaid like mosaic.
/ This is an object of marvellous beauty, Of
| which Homer would have said: "a wonder
to look upon" There were also found seven
large and one small golden diadems-one of
the former is ornamented with golden leaves.
! All of them show splendid ornaments of cir
cles and spiral lines. Further, four golden
ornaments of the greaves, most in form of
bracelet; one comb of bone in large handle,
or casing Of gold, of the usual form as ladies
wear; ore enormous, most magnifcently or
namented massive golden bracelet, weighing
$50 grammes. In the center of the ornament
alton OF this bracelet, is soldered separate
piece OF gold, representing the sun with his
rays. The size Of this bracelet is so snor-
nous that the person who has worn it must
have had giant arms. 1t may have been
worn on the legs. Quite in opposition to
the size Of the bracelet are two massive gold
en- seal rings, the opening OF which is SO
small that they would only fit a child of ten
years. [. therefore, suppose that they may
have been used as seals only. One Of the
4 seals represents two warriors on a two
wheeled chariot with two horses, which seem
to run at full gallop; one of the warriors is
holding bow IN his hand ard has just shot an
arrow at a stag. The stag is wounded, and
in anguish turns his head. The other seal
ring represents warrior who has just van
pushed his three enemies and is in the act
Of giving with his upiftcd sword last blow
to one Of them wounded and kneeling before
him on one knee; the latter tries to parry
the blow with his uplifted hand and with a
lance, which he holds in his right, and seems
to throw at his opponent. Another seems to
be MORALLY wounded, for he lies on the
ground leaning on both his hands. The
third, who alone of al! the four warriors has
q helmet with crest on his head, is flying
under the cover Of an enormous shield which
reaches from his neck to his heels; but still
he turns his head towards his victorious enc
my. and is in the act OF throwing Il lance at
him. The anatomy of all the men is so we'll
observed, their posture is SO faithful to nature,
and everything is executed with so much art
that, when brought to light these rings,
| involuntarity exclaimed: "The author O: the
born and educated in civilization which
could produce such wonders. Only poet who
had masterpieces OF art like these continually
before his eyes could compose those divine
poems"
At the head of one OF the bodies was found
a large and heavy golden helmet, but it had
been much crushed, and had become nearly
fat under the ponderous weight which press
ed upon it, In its present state it is difficult
to describe it. On lis forepart the openings
for the eyes and mouth, as also protuber-
ance, ornamented with small stars, are dis
tinctly visible, as also on the top Of the he'll
met, the tube for the crest. The back part
is beautifully ornamented with an imitation
of the hair. The face of the same body was
covered with one of the golden masks mem
toned in my last letter, and its breast and
sides by loot s-inch long, ard l foot
broad, thick plate of gold, which was no
doubt intended to represent the coat of mail.
There were further found 100 leaves of gold,
either of circular or cross-lke form, with i'm
pressed ornamentation, consisting either OF
spiral lines or OF circles. Further, three very
heavy golden breastpins, of which the one is
81, the other 5 and the third Al inches long.
The last is crowned with 4 ram, the two 9th
ers with an ornament in shape OF 4 helmet,
and the heads of all the three breastpins are
perforated, probably to put in flower.
There were further found two mastery Or
namented objects of massive gold IN the
form OF crosses; also a large golden vase
weighing II kilogrammes; it has two ham
dies, large foot and ornamented with three
upper and two lower parallel lines, between
which is row OF fourteen stars; further, Q
large golden vase with one handle and an
characterization representing seven beautiful
flowers; another golden vase with two han
dies; further, splendid little golden eeno
chloe or wine can, with an ornamehtation q
spiral lines. Further, six golden drinking
cups, one Of which is drinking-cup witt
two handles, on each Of which is pigeon
each OF the two handles being joined to the
foot by two separate gold blades. This COB
let reminds US of Ncstor's goblet, which wa
also ornamented with pigeons (see ''Iliad,
s XII. 632, 635) One of the other goblets /;
r ornamented with parallel Fittings. Ther'