Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-29
The Discoveries as pcrgamus.
THE Nineteenth Cenpury.i


The story OF the excavations at Pergamus
conducted by the PrtIssian Government be-
tween the years 1873 and 1881 is related al
length in the official "Jahrbuch der
iglch-Preussischen kunstsammluns-
en-" Careful ground plans OF the AcropD-
lis show the positions aud dimensions OF
the Athena Temple" Augusteum,"
a" Hail." and Altar" The architectural
fragments which were deemed worth
bringing 10 Berlin consist OF little eise
than few columns. capitals, mouldings.
aud slabs with surface ornaments. But
measurements were taken on the SPOT
and records Of operations kept. Thus
possibly sufficient data exist for the
reconstruction on paper Of the temple
crowded Acropolis. Yet these snowy
ARCHITECTURAL designs will be looked on not
without suspicion by persons familiar with
facile and flnclful reconstructions such ~
the coniectural designs OF the Rom,n 70.
rum. With respect however. must be re-.
ceiyed the Judgment OF archa oiogi,ts fol.
lowing iii the footsteps OF Niebuhr aud Bun
sen. The most important OF these ten
tative arrangements represents the altar
temple rising in the midst OF a high plat
form the podium bears the figure re.iefs
now in the Berlin Museum above, on the
four sides. are continuous col0nnades with
figures behind. OF which thirty or more l
count IN the museum. Altitude evidently
was the architects aim. gained by platform,
pOdium, columns. aud frieZe successfully
superimpOscd. The hill Of the Acropjlis
thus crowned with marble set against the
blue sky, must have presented a grand
spectacle TO the jewellers in the plain be-
low. Great was the enthusiasm some
four years ago when the public by
tickets were permitted the privilege Of
viewing the Pcrgamus spoils laid out in
crowded disorder on the museum floor.
ON the grounds were thrown dismembered
heads, arms, bands. legs, feet. with giant
torso, some encircled by serpents; all bore
signs Of fierce conflict or DYING agony the
aspect was thai 81 slain warriors stretched
on battlefield. The theme l. the familiar
contest between the giants and the gods.
The museum authorities have striycn. In
the face OF uncommon difficulties. TO con-
ycy an idea OF the compositions As
whole. Figures severed bv the saw have
been put together or formed into groups.
Thus. within the vestibule are set up four
grand slabs, seyeIaly named from the
chief figure in each. Apollo. Icus. Athens.
and fIeiO.. Casts are to be seen in the
British Museum. The figures are Of heroi.
scale and rise in boldest relief; the conflict
RACES fiercely; giants hurl rocks. Minerva
overthrows a winged foe. and serpents,
fierce a. furies, defend thc vanquished. !
lind il difficult to estimate the exact mag
nitude Of these panOamas round the
temple podium. Besides the four grand
slabs. with sundry minor groups
set up in the VestIbule, are disposed
on the floor OF a side gallery multitude
Of figures ranged in two rows. each about
100 ieet long. The total number OF figures
which have reached Berlin 1 do not lind
easy 10 give, but reckoned up some 10
figures & winged, ranging in height from
TO feet; besides, counted : horses q
winged, lions, : eagles, and more
Than dozen serpents. the last all appa-
rently prolongatlon. OF the giants legs.
The dramatic power brought into play Is
the agony in the heads. the
Of body and limbs. the convo-
ution and grip OF che serpents. inevitably
'ecall the LAGOON group.