Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 2.djvu/460

 Pottery. differences enough from one group to the other. On the first, the soldiers appear in marching order ; the lances are carried on the shoulders and the shields hang down at the side, like those of people that have nothing to fear. The lances of the second group have been brandished, and are now directed against the foe ; the first foot is pressed forward, so as to follow the movement of the body. The shields are carried higher. All the warriors are dressed alike. They seemingly wear sandals, fastened by many thongs, and a short fringed tunic, which reaches to about the middle of the thigh. Like the heads on the Vaphio vase (Fig. 374), the upper lip is closely shaven, and a pointed beard falls below the chin. As will be noticed, there are many analogies between the two sets of figures ; yet there are also Fig. 487.— Fragment from Myceniv. some divergences. Thus, the men on the reverse wear a simple skull-cap Instead of a helmet, which here is a trifle more elaborate than that of the ivories and bronzes (Figs. 349-351, 359, 373); but its rough appearance may be intended to represent the hairs of the skin of which it is made. Fastened to the lances of the marching warriors, just below the points, is an object resembling a bag ; the pouch-like appendage must be meant for a knapsack. If in the scene on the reverse no bag is attached to the lance, this is easily grasped. Before the engagement soldiers would very naturally rid themselves of a weight which would have been in their way ; nor are the shields quite the same. They are almost spherical in the first group, and appear to be oval-shaped in the second.