Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/104

 46 COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE. from Athens, and in the islands of Paros and Naxos. In the effort to obtain refinement of Hne and smoothness of surface where crude bricks were used, they were in many cases coated with a fine cement formed of marble dust and lime ; where stone was employed, as at Paestum and elsewhere, it appears also to have been coated with this marble cement, while marble itself was often treated in the same way, the cement being susceptible of a higher polish than the uncemented surface. The country was also rich in silver, copper, and iron. iii. Climate. — The climate of Greece is remarkable for the hot sun and the heavy rains, factors probably answerable for the porticos which were important features of the temples. Greece enjoyed a position intermediate between the rigorous surroundings of the Northern nations and the relaxing condi- tions of Eastern life. Hence the Greek character combined the activity of the North with the passivity of the East in a way that conduced to the growth of a unique civilization. iv. Religion. — The Greek religion was in the main a worship of natural phenomena (nature-worship, major and minor), of which the gods were personifications. There are, however, numerous traces of ancestor-Avorship, fetishism, and other primitive forms of religion. It should be borne in mind that Greek cults were always local, each town or district having its own divinities, ceremonies, and traditions. The priests had to perform their appointed rites, but were not an exclusive class, and often served only for a period, retiring afterwards into private life. Both men and women officiated, and a small bright "cella" took the place of the mysterious halls of the priest-ridden Egyptians (page 20). The principal deities of the Greeks with their Roman names are as follows : — Greek. Koi)ia)i. Zeus Chief of the gods and supreme ruler Jupiter (Jove). Hera Wife of Zeus and goddess of maninge Juno. f The son of Zeus and father of] ^sculapius. 'Ihe god who pun- I Apollo s ishes, heals and helps. Also the > Apollo. j god of song and music, of the sun, ( [ and founder of cities, ] Hestia Hearth (sacred fire) Vesla. Heracles Strength, power Hercules. .., ( Wisdom, power, peace, and iiros- ) ,,. Athena - •, ^ ' ^" > . Mmerva. I penty ) Poseidon Sea Neptune. Dionysos Wine, feasting, revelry ISacchus. Demeter Earth, agriculture Ceres. Artemis Hunting (goddess of the chase) Diana. T J ( Herald or messenger of the gods,  ■.. Hermes ^ .u <- 1 -.i ■ j r ^ r Mercury. ( therefore eloquence with wmged ieet J •' Aphrodite Beauty Venus. Nike Victory 'ictoiia.