The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-02
MIN0S NOT MYTHICAL
EXPLORERS ~ CRETE LEARN THAT
HE WIS a REAL PERSON.
ArchaeoIosists Jnearth Information
That Destroys Much Class
zeal Legend.
John swintOn. in New York Times satur-
H.. u

eaten glimpse or HOmcrlc goo as ne
lived in the flesh? Are we to get at the
truth about that one OF the three internal
judges" who. according 10 Homer. was the
son OF Jupiter and the brother OF Rhada-
nautilus. another Of the Internal Judges?
Are we to get picture of the awful AIinos,
taken when he was alive2
The distinguished body Of oxford expl0r-
ers who. under the leadership Of Professor
Evans, are now prosecuting their re-
searches in the Island of Crete and from
whom advices as recent as the opening OF
the present month have just been received,
give reason 10 believe that all these
questions are likely TO be answered in the
affirmative
Farewell. then. to one of the most won
derful characters of mythology, around
whose name many legends were woven
BY Greek poets dramatists and priests in
the times Of classical antiquity,
The directors Of the oxford exploring ex-
petition have. within the past few months.
made discoveries that the legendary son Of
the Thunderer was real and substantial
human parsonage. and he was a King I'm
Crete 400 or more years ago. Near the
ancient city of Gambia. in Crete. they have
discovered the ruins of "A great edifce,
which, from the evidence before them, they
believe was the palace of King Minos. and
which they describe as fitting abode for
ruler of great power and opulence
The many trenches that have been cut
during the brief period since excavations
were begun brought into sight at first only
a few of the relics of the once grand palace;
but as the excavations were continued some
idea of the architectural design of the orr
giEal edihce could be obtained. First, there
was a spacious court, surrounded by wall
which is still about six feet in height The
main approach to the palace was through
wide double gates. near which were two al
tars, the bases Of which are still TO be seen.
Immediately behind another court ran
long corridor. opening off into more than
score OF store chambers. many of which
contained. as some of them yet contain,
huge brown clay jars for storing oil and
wine, these Jars bearing scrolls or other
ornaments. ard formerly numbering. il
Is supposed, over a thousand, for hundreds
OF them are still there.
A GREAT PALACE.
No idea of the original appearance of the
great fabric can yet be given. Its apart
ments and chambers cannot yet be defined
or numbered for but parts of the walls and
few steps of some Of the staircases re-
main. spacious room that car be out
lined was. probably. the royal presence
chamber. 1t paved and walled with
stone and had stone shoulders, apparently
for sitters, while at side was a lofty
seat of gypsum rock. once richly carved
possibly the Kings throne. Near this room
was another, which may have been used
Tor bathing purposes; and there was, also.
another yet, containing two pillars. upon
almost every stone of which were symbols
associated with the worship of Zeus and
also. tridents, crosses and stars, which are
still TO be soon there.
So great was the size, so numerous were
the ramincatfonS, and so peculiar was the
ornamentations of the palace that Profess
sor Evans got the notion that il may have
been the labyrinth of the ancient le-
gends.
The frescoes of the palace-which are vet
clear enough to show their subjects-have
been removed to a new museum at Gambia
The most perfect figure is that of a youth
ful cup bearer of purely Greek profile, with
very animated expression. wearing green
fsh garments and carrying a blue marble
vase. There are other works OF the kind.
but less perfect than the one just spoken
Of The miniatures of the feminine favor
ties at court very fine, and their cos
tunes are brilliant in color. Many beauti-
ful vases have been found in the palace,
and also few admirable works of sculp-
ture. among which are the head OF proud
honess and the head of powerful bull.
IL Is not necessary TO speak of the many
other things that have been brought 10
light by the Oxford explorers and archaic
ologists. for they will. doubtless. be de-
selves, who will, moreover. give their rea-
sons for believing that the palace near the
city OF Gambia was truly the abode OF
Mipos. the King. hencefOrth not TO be re-
garded as mythical figure. but as an au-
thentic personage-nOt less SO than Alex
ander the Great.
TABLETS TO BE TRANSLATED.
The facts in the case will not be made
clear until the tablets which have now for
the first time been brought to light can be
ri.
two kinds-one kind real script of an un-
known character and the other similar TO
Egyption hieroglyphics. while among the
finds of this years workings is a Babylon
ian cylinder of lapis lazuli mounted with
gold. and the oxford explorers have in
ferred from these discoveries that the an
cient realm was in touch with the two
greatest civilizations of the period-the
Egyptian and the Babylonian.
When the mysterious tablets can be read.
interpreted and brought within comprehen-'
sion much may be learned concerning the
sovereignty that existed in Crete a thou
sand years before Rome was founded IL is
possible that among the frescOes which
have been discovered there may be a like
ness of the mighty Mnos himself who. ac-
cording TO Homer was OF divine parentage.
but who. according To Professor Evans. was
dynasty
IL is only during the brief period in which
British explorers have been free To- prose
cute their archaeological operations in
Crete that such discoveries as those here
spoken of have become possible. In course
of time. there viii be researches i'm other
parts Of the little island "of a hundred
cities" (see Homer). though those now in
progress near the city or Gambia, which
was historic I'm the ages of remote an
tiatiity, are regarded of the first impor-
tance.
A tourist who visited the existing city of
Gambia recently as last month speaks of
the people whom he then within its
walls. which were built by the Nenetians
after they obtained possession of the place
In the thirteenth century. The streets"
he says, were filled with picturesque
throngs swarthy Cretans. swarthier
Moors. black negroes and white British
soldiers belonging 10 the garrison. The
differences ia religion are marked i'm the
costume Those of the people who are Mo-
and the red sash while those of them who
are Christians can he distinguished by
their more sombre garb. All the natives
speak Greek. which, II we may Judge BY
the inscriptions upon the tablets recently
found. was not the language spoken there
In the most ancient times.
III Crete had sWarthy BabylOnians and
Egyptians among its visitors thousands
OF years ago. II it has since then been
ruled by Romans. MOslems. Nenetians and
other foreign masters. IL can now look
upon British soldiers I'm their red coats
who are there with other troops 10 protect
Crete from the sanguinary outbreaks OF the
''unspeakable Turk"
As 10 Minos OF old, IL may yet be made
known. BY means of the Cretan tablets and