Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/30

 i2 A History of Art in Sardinia and Jud.ea. tive. This basin, silent and deserted for ages, has of late shown returning signs of life and activity. 1 Therefore, in all probability, it was the nearer continent that sent forth the first bands of emigrants to Sardinia, or at least the larger and more compact groups ; since towards Africa the island presented easy and inviting approaches. Nor is this mere conjec- ture ; facts deserving serious consideration are in support of this view. The nomenclature of Sardinia and Africa has many points common to both. 2 Thus, to give one instance : The Iolaens, Iliens, or Ilienses, were the chief tribe of the island ; and the same name (loi) is met with in a town of Mauritia. 3 Again, Polybius speaks of Iolaos as an Afric deity whose name is supposed to have been deciphered on a Libyan inscription. 4 Other appella- tives of localities might be added which would lead to similar comparisons and no less striking coincidences ; we will limit our- selves, however, to noting that the close resemblance that existed between the Sardi and the African races, was recorded by Pausa- nias in the following words : " The outward appearance, weapons, and usages of the Ilienses, are stated to be the same as those of the Libyans;" 5 whilst a little further he writes, that "the latter were among the first who passed over to Sardinia." 6 It may be objected that in Pausanias's description, many names and details relative to Sardinia are purely mythical ; granting that it is so, there is still a certain proportion that bear undeniable indications of being historical, carefully preserved and handed down by successive generations as the only link that bound the 1 The Romans called the block of mountains to the north, " insani montes" (Livy, xxx. 39 ; Florus, ii. 6). This appellation was probably due to the fitful action of the winds, which blow with great violence on these heights, penetrating narrow gorges, and breaking out with fresh virulence upon the inland seas ; or it may indicate the terror felt by the beholder of these lofty peaks and awe-inspiring land- scape. 2 See Pais, Sardinia, p. 16 ; notes chap. v. ; p. 8o, notes i and 3 ; p. 82, notes 1 and 6 ; p. 83, note 1, etc. 8 Strabo, XVII. iii. 12. 4 Polybius, VII. ix. 2. The name of Iolaos figures as a Carthaginian deity in the text of a treaty between Philip and Hannibal. The burden of proof lies in demon- strating that Iolaos was an African rather than a strictly Phoenician god. 6 Pausanias, X. xvii. 4. His circumstantial details upon Sardinia are so accurate as to raise the presumption that he had visited it. 6 Ibid. 2, 5. Libyan does not stand for Carthaginian, since lower down he distinctly says that during the height of their power the Carthaginians held the whole of Sardinia, save those parts occupied by the Ilienses and Corsi.