Genkral Characteristics ok the Mvcenian Period. 481 necropoles of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Dynasties, Prof. P^linders Petrie has discovered what he calls yHgean pottery.' Many vases preserved in our museums, although bought in the Nile Valley, bear upon them the unequivocal characteristics by which the Mycenian style is distinguished. From this we may infer that the Egyptians of that day admired a pottery widely different from their own, because of its brilliant glaze and quaint decoration. Recognizable among the valuable objects presented to the Pharaohs by the envoys of tributary populations, are vases dis- tinguished by the shapes and forms affected by Mycenian ceramics and Mycenian metal-work. In regard to imports, Egypt, like other nations at that period, gave in exchange raw products from her soil and home manufactures. Hence it might have beefi expected that Egyptian wares would turn up on some points of the -^gean, and this has actually come about. We have pointed out how glass-pastes were utilized in the decoration of the Tirynthian palace ; and we know that glass-making came into existence on the banks of the Nile, where Phoenicians learnt how to make it. The paste introduced into the frieze at Tiryns is of that vivid blue which the Egyptians knew how to impart to what they called khesbet, or ^str^sr. On the other hand, plaques of blue enamelled earthenware or faience, a style of pottery which found great favour with the Ramessides, have been unearthed at Mycenae. Here, too, as well as at lalysos, have been discovered scarabaei, inscribed with hieroglyphs, and daggers decorated with scenes of the chase inspired by Egyptian models ; the ornament seen on them, a species of inlay, was in vogue in Egypt during the Eighteenth Dynasty.- The fictitious type of the sphinx had its birth in the Delta, and the Mycenian
- See Flinders Petrie, Te/i Years' Dig^ngin Egypt^ 8vo, London 1893, and
his article, " The Eg>'ptian Bases of Greek History " {Journal of Hellenic Studies). His assertions were challenged by C. Torr, Classical Reineuf, 1892. The dis- cussion was also carried on in a series of letters in the Academy of the same date. The presence of ^^gean pottery in the deposits of the Twelfth Dynasty is any- thing but proved ; but there is greater probability of its having made its appearance during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Dynasties. An able exposition of the facts of the case also appeared in the Classical Rei'iew^ 1892, from the pen of Cecil Smith. But no conclusions are reached. - See dagger with metal incrustations from the tomb of Queen Aah-Hotcb (C. Daly, Revue de V architecture^ i860, and Maspero, VArchhlogie egyptiemie). On Egyptian damascening, consult 'iikinson, Tlie Manners^ 6^r. VOL. II. I I
