Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 1.djvu/518

Secondary Forms. 491 independent, and clamped on to the wall (Pis. V., VI., and Fig. loi), whilst the engaged column carved over the Lions Gate is purely ornamental (PL XIV.). Here, then, is no true column ; yet we are fain to turn to this as to the original type of that which once adorned the palace, but of which the base alone remains. We are obliged, therefore, to invert the natural order of research. Our notion as to the entasis and aspect of the column, now disappeared, but whereon reposed the coverings of Achaean palaces, will have to be formed on the characteristics of the false stone pillar. The supports which fulfilled this function are represented to-day by their bases alone. These we have no hesitation in identifying with the blocks seen on the very sites where, from other causes, columns might be looked for.^ An example will suffice. Homer speaks of pillars found near the hearth, in the house of Alcinous, against which lean the principal personages seated around the fire.^ At Tiryns and Mycenae, MM. Dorpfeld and Tsoundas have disinterred open fire-places, enclosed by stone bases whereon pillars must have rested (PI. II. M, and Fig. 116). Pillars were wanted at this point to support the roof-framing and diminish the length of span of the joists. No matter where we find these bases, whether in the middle of a room, at a vestibule entrance, or the sides of a court, we are never doubtful as to their destination (Fig. 84). They fall under two heads: (i) blocks with irregular edges, on the smooth surface of which an inner circle has been raised about three centimetres above the surrounding field by cutting ; (2) irregular blocks which are smoothed on the surface, but have no central disc. The former are older, and coincide with the erection of the palace ; such would be the Tirynthian examples of which we give a section and plan below (Fig. 197). The second class has been recognized by Dorpfeld as rude relics of a restoration, which latter he would place in the last days of the existence of the palace, ere it was destroyed by fire, the traces of which are visible on many a point. The arrangement relating to the column differed somewhat at Mycense. Here bases were completely sunk into the ground, and their junction with the shaft occurred below the concrete ^ ScHLiEMANN, Tiryns. For Mycenae, see Tsoundas, UpcuT/fca. 2 Odyssey,