The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-01-12
Discoveries at Olympia.

known to the world the results of the ex-
cavations at Olympia, as DR.. Schliemann
is in respect to the Troad and Mycene
In the recent number of the North amer
tcan Revie,0 he writes:
The most trustworthy of all witnesses
of the past are inscribed monuments
We have found, in all, upward of four
hundred inscriptions, on bronze, stone,
and terra Gotta; on pedestals, archi-
traves, and columns; on helmets, shields,
and lances; on reliefs, etc. A large pro-
portion of these refer to victors at Olym-
pia, and these teach us much, both in
poetry and prose, about the different
sorts of games. Other inscriptions were
set up here simply because Olympia was
the centre of ce-complimentary in
scriptions of all sorts, treaties, arbitra-
tions. These monuments belong to the
most diverse epochs, and to every region
wherever Greeks lived. Hence we find
very great variety in the forms of letters
and in the language: in fact, Olympia
has proved to be rich mine of informa-
ton concerning the Hellenic dialects. At
the same time, the inscriptions afford us
data for the history of the period from
the seventh century B. c. down to Byzan-
tine times. AS regards the science of
art, vast amount of material has been
won for architecture. We are beginning
to understand temple architecture in its
historic evolution. Of certain architec-
tural forms peculiar to Greece, as the
treasures, many examples are here seen.
We have here before our eyes the first
Greek palestra, of which before we pos
sessed only very obscure description by
Vitruvius. So too we have here the
racecourses of the ancients clearly
identified both the tracks used for prac-
tice and the Olympic Stadium itself,
with its main entrance, and the very
stones that marked the starting-point
and the goal. Formerly no specimen of
the ancient Greek town-house or Coun-
Gil Hall was known to exist; but in the
newly discovered Olympian Buleuterion
we have a structure unique in its kind,
dating from the earlier times. The Ma
cedonian epoch is well represented by
the rotunda of King Philip, and the peri
cd of Alexander's successors by the col
umns which supported the effigies of the
Ptolemies. On all sides are seen Roman
reconstructions of Grecian edifces, and
we can clearly distinguish, e. g., in the
temple of Zeus, Roman RESERVATIONS, from
the workmen's marks. The building
erected by Herodes Atticus is wholly
original in its combination of a water
reservoir with an eredra and two project
ing round temples. OF special interest,
as regards the temple and temple like
buildings, is the fact that here the terra
Gotta ornamentation remains in an excel
lent state of preservation, and is represent
ed in great number of specimens.
Above all, much light is thrown upon
the relations of architecture and sculp
ture. Instance, the relieve groups In
limestone that filed the pediment of the
Megarean treasury work of antique
art belonging to an earlier period than
the Bginetan pediment Instance again
the metopes Of the temple of Zeus, some
of them very well preserved. These
sculptures are in the transition style.
and are fit companion pieces for the
metopes Of the so-called temple of Theseus
at Athens. Finally, there are the colos-
sal groups on both pediments of the temple
OF Zeus The artistic restoration of these
works and their scientific discussion will
for long time give occupation to arch
biologists; at the same time our knowl-
edge Of Hellenic temple architecture will
be established on new basis.
In addition to all this, we have acquired
a vast amount Of new material for the
history of art. Fhe Nike of Paionios
with its pedestal and inscription set up
by the Messenians, and now found in its
ancient place, is one Of the most remark
able works Of the old sculptors, grand and
bold in design, mastery in execution, and
Of the highest significance for the devel-
opment Of the Nike type: it is a new and
striking monument Of the plastic art of
the fifth century B. G. The fourth CEN
fury is represented in the Hermes of
Praxiteles, discovered in the temple of
Hera; this is the first original work of
that sculptor, who is confessedly the fore
most master of sculpture in marble. Fur
ther, it is the best preserved work of
clas sic art that we have, and henceforth
it will form the ground work Of all disqui-
sitions upon the art of the fourth cen
fury. This one work abundantly repays
the expense and labor Of five years, even
had nothing else been found. But, fur
Their, the Attic art of Roman times is here
represented in many noteworthy monu-
ments, and the tradition of art history
receives many essential additions. Mas
ters whose names have long been known,