Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/317

 Bk. IV. Ch. I. TOMBS. 285 »--«!«. cannot therefore be taken as specimens of Etruscan art, but rather of that, corruption of style sure to arise from a conquered people trying to imitate the arts of their rulers. The creneral appearance of the second class of rock-cut tombs will be undsrstood from the woodcut (No. 168), representing two monu- ments at Castel d'Asso. Unfortunately neither x^;--— :^S^^=r-=j^--__— -=:s^__ is com])lete nor is there any coaiplete example knowr to exist of this class. Perhaps the apex was a:lded structurally and that these, like all such things in Etruria, have perished. Possi- bly, i^. cut in the rock, the terminals were slender carved orna- ments, and therefore liable to injury. They are usually restored by antiquaries in the shape of rectilinear pyramids, but so far as I know, there is no author- ity for this. On the contrary, it is more in accordance with what we know of the style and its affinities to suppose that the termination of these monuments, even if added in masonry, was curvilinear. One remarkable thing about the rock-cut tombs is the form of their mouldings, which differ from any found elsewhere in Europe. Two of these are shown in the annexed woodcut (No. 169). They are very numerous and in great variety, but do not in any instance show the slightest trace of a cornice, nor of any tendency towards one. On the contrary, in place of this, we find nothing but a reverse moulding. It is probable that similar forms may be found in Asia Minor, Avhile something resembling them actually occurs at Persepolis and elsewhere. It is remarkable that this feature did not penetrate to Rome, and that no trace of its influence is found there, as might have been expected. ^ 1G8. r^---' Tombs at Castel d'Asso. (From the " Anuale del In- stitute") 169. Mouldings from Tombs at Castel d'Asso. ' Even In more modern times I know of no building showing a trace of tliese forms except the tomb of Theodoric at Ravenna. Tliis, however, is Etruscan botli in form and detail, as will be seen farther on.