Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/309

 Bk. III. Ch. II. CYREXE. 277 These tombs are chiefly interesting from many of the details of the architecture still retaining the color with which they were originally adorned. The triglyphs of the Doric order are still painted blue,i as appears to have been the universal practice, and the pillars are outlined by red lines. The metopes are darker, and are adorned Avith painted groups of figures. The Avhole making up one of the most perfect examples of Grecian colored decoration which still remain. There is another tomb at the same place — this time structural — which is interesting not so much for any architectural beauty it pos- sesses as from its belonging to an exceptional type. It consists now only of a circular basement — the upper part is gone — and is erected ICG. Tombs at <Jyrfiif. (.From Hainilt'iii's " North Africa.") over an excavated rock-cut tomb. There seem to be several others of the same class in the necropolis, and they are the only examples known except those at Marathos, one of which is illustrated above (Woodcut No. 120). As before hinted, the Syrian example does not appear to be very ancient, but Ave want further information before speaking positively on this subject. No one on the spot has attempted to fix with precision the age of the Cyrenean examples ; nor have they been drawn in such detail as is requisite for others to ascertain the fact. They may be as late as the time of the Romans, but can hardly be dated as prior to the age of Alexander the Great. ' Beechy's "Journey to Cyreue," p. 444; see also Smith and Porcher, pi. 37.