Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 2.djvu/293

 General Characteristics of Hittite Civilization. 275 essentially Phrygian character of the worship evidenced on the bas-reliefs at Boghaz-Keui, we have spoken elsewhere, when we pointed out that the female deity wears the mural crown, and is supported by lions, whilst at Pessinus they draw her chariot. At Merash (Fig. 281), she holds a pomegranate, the emblem of life and fecundity throughout Asia Minor, a symbol likewise adopted by Grecian art. Is this to be taken as a fortuitous resemblance and a mere coincidence ? We shall not dwell upon another striking resemblance between the two arts ; namely, that the pretty custom of placing flowers in the hands of goddesses, as at Boghaz-Keui (Fig. ^^y) and Eyuk, is likewise found in the early manifestations of Hellenic art; for it may have been derived in both instances from Egypt and Phoenicia, where its usage was universal, be it as an emblem or simple and graceful means of ornament. To Cappadocia also should be ascribed those war-chariots which obtained throughout the peninsula, and which are so lovingly dwelt upon by Homer, when he describes the encounters of his two favourite heroes. Hector, the stay of Troy, and the divine Achilles. Curious enough, when arch^ologists tried to restore the ancient Greek chariot from the Homeric text, it was found to correspond in every particular with the Hittite examples depicted in the monuments of Egypt.^ The helmet,^ shield, and leggings, which made of the Greek hoplite a ''bronze man," can- not be set down as Hittite inventions ; for their defensive armour, ^ Helbig, Das Homerische Epos, etc., 1884, in 8vo, pp. 88-95. ^^^ Xtdixn from Pentaour, the court poet, that in the memorable battle fought around Kadesh 2500 chariots were left in the hands of the Egyptians. Some authorities incline to the belief that war-chariots originated in Anterior Asia, whence they passed into Egypt (Brugsch, Geschichte JEgyptens, p. 273 and following. Ebers, ^gypten, und die Biicher Moses, i. p. 221). "^ Herodotus, iii. 152. Professor Sayce brings nothing in support of his opinion that "the Greeks borrowed their helmets from the Hittites, through the medium of the Carians" {Transactions Soc. Bibl, Archa., torn. vii. p. 303). For my part, I cannot see a bronze helmet in the Hittite cap. It may not be irrelevant to cite the passage in which the opiftion of Professor Sayce is expressed : " We have only to glance at the costume and arms of the natives of Van as depicted on the Balawat bronzes to see that they were cousins of the Hittites, and the striking resemblance between the helmets worn by the latter and those of the early Greeks probably results from the fact that the Greek helmet was really of Hittite origin. Herodotus (i. 171) expressly states that the Greeks had borrowed their helmets, as well as the * emblems' on their shields, from the Carians, and the Carians, as we know, were once subject to Hittite influence." The
 * Greek helmet" is distinctly seen by others besides Professor Sayce— Ed.