Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 1.djvu/255

 232 Primitive Greece: Mycenian Art. the plain," when its acropolis is some 142 metres above the sea, and its houses are perched one above the other on the flanks of a lofty hill, which leans against a much loftier mass ? The plain here clearly refers to the lower valley, widening out as it approaches the sea. Then, too, one who has bent over the frowning precipices of the Bali Dagh will never dream of placing on this spot the scene preceding the fateful combat between Hector and Achy lies, or imagine that the latter could chase the Trojan hero thrice round the walls of the city.* This reluctance on our part would have been shared by the contemporaries of Homer, who knew the place by heart The long circuit is not what perplexes us. The imagination can make light and leap over such small trifles ; but we feel that once the two heroes had entered the gully, hemmed in by the escarps which strike out far beyond the point reputed to mark the Trojan acropolis, they could never have been able to climb these precipitous sides. However com- placently the imagination may lend itself to be deceived in order that it may be amused, its enjoyment would be spoiled were its sense of probability outraged. The poet needed no effort to harmonize with reality allusions to physical objects which we find scattered up and down in his tales. His word-painting is admirable ; distinctive qualities in the landscape as had struck him in his wanderings, were recalled and made to live by an apposite word thrown out from his rich store ; hence any allusions, even the slightest, to topographical data are of inestimable value, and deserve our serious consider- ation. Here are two that will by no means coincide with Lechevalier's theory : — Homer represents Zeus as looking down from the summit of Ida on the city of Troy and the Grecian ships.^ But from Bunarbashi the top of Gargarus and the ships would have been hidden from view by the massive block of 1 Iliad, The poet, it is said, did not intend to make us believe that his heroes could run three times round the town, but that they had raced thrice round a circle in front of the city. The words of the narrative, however, if we refer to them, will not lend themselves to be so twisted. Achylles is described as keeping close to the wall to prevent Hector approaching it and having the gate opened to him by his friends stationed on the rampart. 2 Iliad— avroc (Zevc) V tv icopviji^in KaQkl^tro KvSei yalwr Hffopouty Tpunoy t£ vokiv koI yijnc A.aiiov.