The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-28
cYpRroTE ANTIQUITIES.
The Rich Harvests Archeeiogists are Reap.
iuQ.
Iron tho Londen Graphic. ]


frrom the Londen Graphical
Cyprus has yielded rich harvest to
psychologists, Of late. The mass Of am
Equities brought over by General ID Ces-
nola-- the authenticity OF which, by the
way, Is undergoing so searching an investi.
CATION 10 New York-was an earnest OF
the treasures awaiting further iaborers IN
the same field, and within the last eighteen
months two distinct series OF excavation
have been carried on by England, produ-
cling valuable fruit. While Mr.. George
Hake was busy for the South Kensineton
Museum, where the main portion OF MS
collec, ion may now be seen, uerr Max
Richter was al work privately for MT.
Newton, OF the British Museum, with great
success.
Though, as her asserted birthplace. pri-
MARTY devoted TO the worship OF venus,
the island In classical times seems TO nave
paid considerable devotion to Artemis,
Judging from Herr Riehter's finds at the
temple Of the Moon Goddess at Achna, In
the district OF Famagusta. There he un-
earthed vast quantity Of busts and figures
of Artemis in stone and pottery, cliriously
illustrating the influence Of the different
styles OF art and the gradual develop
ment from the early archaic type TO inc
purcr forms OF Greek culture. Asiatic IN
fluence predominates in the earliest works,
notably in rude heads, which strongly sug-
gest Buddhist deities. A few rare vestiges
Of Phenician taste are visible in several
somewhat mummy-like forms; while one
graceful. full-length picture belongs to the
true Greek school, At first this figure
was believed to represent Aphroditee
IJrania: but further research has proved
its identity with Artemis, numerous SIM
liar heads having been found. AIte-
mis- appears, also. with the Tyre or
ACCOMPANIED by her dog; and many
of the larger figures hold birds or
lambs. The singular high head-dresS,
or "modius.o browning the majority
of the busts, comes from Asia Minor,
and Is borrowed from the Goddess Cybele
Besides the representations OF Artems
herself, numerous rough idols, painted
bright yellow, were found In the temple
evidently relics OF the old Brauronlan
festivals in honor OF Diana. These feSti-
walls took place every five years in the Attic
CITY of Brauron, where girls from five TO
ten years OF age were c0nsecrated TO the
goddess, and invariably wore safiron-hued
garments. Moreover, the children's play
things were dedicated in the sanctuary.
But these relics OF Artemisian worship,
interesting as they are, are hardly so I'M
portant in an archaeological sense as the
curious perfume vessels which represent
Hecate Trimorphos, aud are the drst OF the
kind ever found. As goddess OF the three
Singdoms-earth, sky and water-Hecate
or Proserpine was usually represented, IN
archaic fashion. with three heads or three
figures; but the second vessel OF the group,
unfortunately imperfect. shows the DIVINITY
in her fourioId character, as guardian OF
the four elements heaven, earth, air, and
water. Even now the CYpriotes use
similar vessels for charms against the evil
eve. which they consider can be aVerted
by Hecate's influence, though the deity
herself Is no longer carved on the vessel.
By calling Hecate Luna, the ancients often
COMPOUNDED her with the true moon god
dess Diana, and this belief accounts for the
presence OF these cmblems in the Temple
OF Artemis. Some curi0sities found on the
same spot are no less precious; and one IN
particular, the fragment OF the sacred pine
tree of Atys, has also never been found be-
fore, although frequently mentioned by
classical writers.
Acbna, however, was not the only site
explored, for at Salamis Herr Richter was
lucky enough TO unearth the first large
building of GracO-ROman period known
in Cyprus-a bath belonging to gymna-
stun, and In excellent preservation. On
excavating the remains he further found
in the Exedra. or recreation hall, the first
mosaic picture discovered in the island.
This mosaic is believed to represent
Orpheus charming the animals with
his Lutte, but the painting somewhat
resembles the play Of Hamlet with
Hamlet left out, considering that Or
pheus himself is missing. However,
the animals are tolerably perfect. APP
parently the pavement was broken in
very early days, and was then covered
with a layer OF common material. Coins
of the Emperors Michael and Arcadius
were dug up in the bath, besides two By
Zantine lead seals and a beautiful bronze
mirror, bearing in relief Athene with the
Gorgeous head, surrounded by her favor
lite olive garland.
During these last researches Herr Rich
ter STAYED at the old monastery Of st. Bar
nabas in the plain where the ancient city OF
Saamis formerly stood. Built in the early
Byzantine style, the monastery is full OF
interest alike from an architectural and
historical point of view, for beneath
the neighbOring chapel of st. Barnabas
is o tomb where, according to church
tradition, the body of the Cyprian
saint was found after many years. Owing
to this discovery the Cyprian Church was
granted independence, and to this day the
Archbishop OF Cyprus signs his name with
red ink and bears an imperial eagle on his
seal and an imperial globe and cross on his