Page:History of Greece Vol XII.djvu/520

 488 HISTORY OF GREECE. physiognomy represented, are indeed a mixture of Hellenic and barbaric ; moreover, even the profusion of gold chains and other precious ornaments, indicates a tone of sentiment partially orientalized, in those for whom they were destined. But the design as well as the execution comes clearly out of the Hellenic workshop ; and there is good ground for believing, that in the fourth century B. c, Pantikapseum was the seat, not only of enterprising and wealthy citizens, but also of strenuous and well-directed artistic genius. Such manifestations of the The local and special type, which shows itself so much on these works of .Ti-t, justifies the inference that they were not brought from other Grecian cities, but executed by Grecian artists resident at Pantikapseum (p. 507). Two marble statues, a man and a woman, both larger than life, exhumed in 1850, arc spoken of with peculiar admiration (p. 491). Coins of the tliird and fourth century b. c. have been found in several (p. 494, 495}. A great number of the so-called Etruscan vases have also been discovered, probably fabricated from a species of clay still existing in the neighborhood : the fig- ures on these vases are often excellent, with designs and scenes of every description, religious, festal, warlike, domestic (p. 522). Many of the .sarco- phagi are richly ornamented with carvings, in wood, ivory, etc; some ad- mirably executed (p. 521). Unfortunately, the belief prevails, and has long prevailed, among the neighboring population, that these tumnli contain hidden treasures One of the most striking among them — called the Kul-Obo — was opened in 1830 by the Russian authorities. After great pains and trouble, the means of entrance were discovered, and the interior chamber was reached. It was the richest that had ever been opened ; being found to contain some splendid golden ornaments, as well as many other relics. The Russian officers placed a guard to prevent any one from entering it ; but the cupidity of the popula- tion of Kertch was so inflamed by the report of the expected treasure being discovered, that they forced the guard, broke into the interior, and pillaged most of the contents (p. 509). The Russian authorities have been generally anxious for the preservation and gradual excavation of these monuments, but have had to contend against repugnance and even rapacity on the part of the people near. Dubois de IMontpereux gives an interesting description of the opening of these tumuli near Kertch — especially of the Kul-Obo, the richest of all, v.-hich he conceives to have belonged to one of the Spartokid kings, and the decorations of which were the product of Hellenic art : — " Si Ton a enterre' (he observes) un roi entourc d'un luxe Scythique, ce sont des Graces et des artistes de cctte nation qui ont travaille a ses fune- railles" (Voyage autour du Caucase, pp. 195,213,227). Pantikapaeum and Phanagoria (he says) " se reconnoissent de loin a la foule dc Icurs tumulus" (p. 137).