Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 1.djvu/294

TiRYNS. 269 metres, in the shape of a loophole (Fig. 74, d). The apertures of this species of arcade let in enough light in the passages and the adjoining chambers (PI. II. bb, and Fig. 75). Were these chambers provided with narrow bays pierced in the end wall ? We incline to think so ; but the external slabs in which they were cut having disappeared, we are reduced to conjecture on this point. The chambers of the corresponding gallery in the eastern wall have certainly no windows, but that passage seems to have been better lighted. In regard to the gallery and chambers, we do not think it is possible to dispute the destination we assign to them. They are stores in which arms and provisions of all kinds were conveniently and safely stowed away. If we admit that each chamber had a window, like that of the passage, which could serve as a loophole, six archers would barely have found standing Fig. 76. — Plan of eastern wall, a, vaulted chambers; 6, gallery. room for defence within the whole of the southern wall. Is it likely that so elaborate a work was constructed in order that this portion of the curtain should accommodate six combatants ? The erections are more naturally accounted for from a desire of the architect to assure the victualling of the stronghold, which thus would not be obliged to surrender through famine. As to the garrison entrenched behind these mighty and tall bulwarks, it could make light at efforts to overthrow or scale them. A similar arrangement of six chambers, but somewhat smaller (ppp), with gallery at the back (rr), may be seen in the south section of the eastern wall. The mean breadth of these casemates is three metres five centimetres, and their partition walls measure one metre seventy centimetres (Fig. 76) ; whilst the dimensions of the corresponding chambers in the