A General History for Colleges and High Schools
erent parts of Greece, Italy, and Asia Minor. The origin of these works was a mystery to the earliest Hellen
e chisel; in the next oldest the stones are worked into irregular polygonal blocks; while in the latest the blocks are cut into rectangular shapes and
ure-the Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian. They are distinguished from one a
ion: DORIC
ion: IONIC
out a base, and has a si
les of the Greeks were
but later they b
e capital. This form was borrowed from the Assyrians, and was
ssyrian, and Grecian elements. The addition of the acanthus leaves is said to have been suggested to the artist Callimach
l characteristics of the several orders are well portrayed by the terms we use whe
on: CORINTH
original structure was commenced about the beginning of the sixth century B.C., and, according to Pliny, was o
phesians gracefully declined the proposal by replying that it was not right for one deity to erect a temple to another. Alexander was obliged to content himself with placing within the shrine his own portrait by Apelles-a piece of work which cost $30,000. The value of the
loaned out on interest the money deposited with them, the revenue from this source being added to that from the leased lands of the temple and from the tithes of war booty, to meet the expenses of the services of the shrine. Usually the temple property in Greece was managed solely by the priests; but the treasure of the Parthenon at Athens formed an exception to this rule. The treasure here belonged to the state, and was controlled and disposed of by the vote of the people. Even the personal property
destroyed by fire. All the cities and states of Hellas contributed to its rebuilding. Even the king of Egypt, Amasis, sent a munificent gift. More than half a million of dollars was collected; for
ts oracle inspired, suffered frequent spoliation. The greed of conquerors overcame all religious scruples. The Phocians robbed the temple of a treasure equivalent, it is estimated, to more than $10,000,000 with us (see p. 160); and Nero plundere
y times the eminence was used as a stronghold. But by the fifth century B.C. the city had slipped down upon the plain, and the summit of the rock was consecrated to the temples and the worship of the deities, and came to be called "the ci
N YOUTH IN PROCESSION.
heno
known as the Great Panathen?a, which was celebrated every four years in honor of the patron-goddess of Athens. The larger part of the frieze is now in the British Museum, the Parthenon having been despoiled of its coronal of sculptures by Lord Elgin. Read Lord Byron's The Curse of Minerva. To the poet, Lord Elgin's act appeared worse than vandalism.] It was built in the Doric order, of marble from the neighboring Pentelicus. After standing for more than
TORATION OF THE AC
Caria, who died 353 B.C. Its erection was prompted by the love and grief of his wife Artemisia. The combined genius of the most noted artists of the age executed the wish
cut in the rock on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis, the Greeks in the construction of their theatres generally taking advantage of a hillside. There were abou
EATRE OF DIONYSUS AT
ende