Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 1.djvu/106

The People. 85 they had a fair share of the good things of this world ; like the Homeric *' shepherds of the people/' they lived in strongholds as feudal lords, whilst the land around was cultivated for them by humble folk domesticated in villages, whether labourers or artisans. Such probably was the state of affairs on many a point where we hear of settlements planted by Eastern nations gathered together from every quarter of the globe, Egyptians and Syrians, Carians, Leleges, and Phrygians ; for the most part, however, the legend has left out altogether the circumstances that led to the invasion. We are somewhat better off with regard to Thebes and Argolis. The Cadmeones or descendants of Cadmus were conceived of as a princely race, resplendent in purple and gold, and in glittering brazen armour. Served by their warlike mien and the practical knowledge of their companions, they transformed the land and founded a city which stands to this day. The like fortune attended the Pelopidae. The tales with which they are concerned impress one with the enormous wealth and power that came to Peloponnesus with a Phrygian dynasty, whose head- centre was Mycenae. The prosperity and influence of the Asiatic invaders, who had brought with them a superior culture, was shared by the Achaean clans. All this implies a perpetual movement to and fro between the opposite shores of the i^gean ; every shock occurring on the Asiatic coast has its rebound on the European side ; the current never changes its course, which is from east to west. From that time forward the Archipelago was covered with countless vessels ; and everywhere trusty and experienced pilots were found, who had made a careful survey of the rocks, sounds, and havens of these seas, which they had traversed many times. What this flourishing navigation still lacked was security : piracy was rife, and every mariner easily changed into a freebooter, if he found in his way an unguarded village, crops to be plundered, and above all women and children, whom he would either per- suade to follow him or kidnap when peaceful means failed. Rapes were of such frequent occurrence, that whilst fearing them, the country folk sat down without too much protest to a state of affairs which they were powerless to prevent. Thus, in the time of Homer, whenever strangers landed on the shore, the question was put to them whether they were traders, or sailing about as pirates ; so general and deep-seated were these habits