1822.] REVIEW.-Milman's Martyr of Antioch. Obscene within the secret sanctuary, Appall'd thee? OLYBIUS. Holy Callias, By Mars, my god, thou wrong'st me! Whilst Callias threatens to punish Olybius, under the erroneous impression that he had carried off his daughter, Vopiscus, a Roman, who aspires to the Prefecture, announces himself as the bearer of dispatches from the Emperor Probus. He complains of the mild treatment of Olybius towards the despised sect of Galileans. The address of Vopiscus presents a striking portraiture of the intolerant spirit of the age, with regard to Christianity. VOSPISCUS. Great Olybius, I am the bearer of the Emperor's mandate, Would I might add of wonted thanks and praise. "Tis said that here in Antioch, the high place And chosen sanctuary of those Galileans, Who with their godless and incestuous rites Offend the thousand deities of Rome, Making them waste our mildew'd lands with dearth, 333 They climb our palaces, they crowd our camps, They cover all our wide and boundless realms ; While the sad Priests of all our Gods do sit Waiting in vain for victim or oblation. Round their cold altars and ungifted shrines, The Prefect warmly justifies his conduct and motives. He pourtrays the devoted energy of the Christian martyrs with admirable feeling: "I saw in this wild scorn of death a grandeur Worthy of a nobler cause; 'twas Roman virtue, Tho' not for Roman glory." Margarita is now introduced, and on hearing the stern decree of Olybius is overpowered by the intensity of her feelings. The superstitious spectators are not aware of the real cause; but suppose the Priestess to be labouring under the influence of their god. A most affecting and tender scene afterwards ensues betwixt Olybius and Margarita, in the grove of Daphne. She there declares her conversion to Christianity. The Prefect's declaration of his passion is extremely vivid. "Hear me, I say, but weep not, Mar clouds. garita, [brow Though thy bright tears might diadem the Of Juno, when she walks the Olympian [is thineMy pearl! my pride! thou know'st my soul Thine only! On the Parthian's fiery sands I look'd upon the blazing noontide sun, And thought how lovely thou before his shrine Wast standing with thy laurel-crowned [locks. Through Antioch's crowded streets, when And when my high triumphal chariot toil'd [name, Rain'd garlands, every voice dwelt on my For thy long silent lyre." My discontented spirit panted still every hand Margarita's soul is obdurate to all his entreaties. She abruptly leaves Olybius, and hastens to the burialplace of the Christians. They are singing a funeral anthem for the soul of a departed brother. "Brother, thou art gone before us, and thy saintly soul is flown," &c. The language is extremely affecting; but the versification is too deficient in harmony; like "A wounded snake, it drags its slow length along." Mar A archæologia, vol. XIX.; (concluded from p. 144.) ART. XXXV. An account of as nprinted English Poem, written in the early part of the Fourteenth Century. By Richard de Hampole, en.1 titled "Stimulus Conscientia," &c. By Joseph Brooks Yates, Esq.—If poems are published, we presume that it is on account of the light which they This throw upon antient manners. before us is merely prayer in verse, anithe mated—but mostly without imagination. We do not conceive that Mil ton borrowed from it his "darkness in visible" (see p. 327), because “darkngness that may be felt occurs in ScripPatri- ture;" and we think it mauvais goût the to publish from antient poems, more than extracts, elucidating or instructing in matters of History and Archaology. ed the , or stians. ga prepa other, ents of chooses e crown Art. XXXVI. On the Lorica Catena of the Romans. By Sam. Rush Meyrick, LL.D. &c.-Dr. M. is of opinion, "that the ingenious and elegant manufacture of interlaced chain mail was not known zens of in Europe before the middle of the to wit- reign of Henry III. of England (p. The 336) and he infers, "that we have eir faith, no direct authority for concluding that This the interlaced chain-mail was known She to the antients (p. 337)." It is evientrea- dent, that the term mail is very vaguely applied to all armour, not consisting of plates, by writers on the Middle Ages; and also, that Dr. M. means a specific kind of mail. But here again, as before, we are called upon to attend a drama performed by invisible players; and are placed in the situation of blind people, who are asked to give their opinions of persons and faces, by hearing their voices. We are not assisted, as we ought to be, by distinguishing plates. It is universally admitted that fish-scale and mail armour were derived from the Barbarians. affected scene, high of comes a Nows the ... visionary ce soon dued by th which cd death, ༄། །ན་ན Ser death populace, Malliot (p. 11) says, concerning the Ostian's God. Franks, soon after their invasion of Gaul, ils se firent des cuirasses avec des peaux d'ours ou de sangliers, et 1॰ ཙཝཱ[& ॰+༣/* ༩༢༩y quaurter ay proclaim adop adopterent bientot la cotte des mailles ou haubert dont se servaient les Gaulois. Cette armure ne les couvrait que depuis la gorge jusq' aux cuisses: mais on y ajouta dans la suite des manches et des chausses." At their first irruption they had no cuirasses at all. Lorsqu'ils firent leur irruption dans les Gaules ils n'avaient point de cuirasse (p. 10). Unfortunately we have no representation of any men in armour till the ninth century (our 10th), when he gives us (pl. xiv.) from Montfaucon, the Canons of Tours presenting a Bible to Charles the Bald. On the side of the throne stand two officers armed. Each wears an absolute Roman cuirass, of one piece of leather or metal, fitted to the body, with strips on the shoulder, and skirts. These figures have the triangular helmet, (as in Strutt, pl. xxix. f. 7.) which, as worn, exactly resembles the military cocked hat, In pl. xix. we have a knight of the year 1022. His armour is linen and padded, being a tunick down to the knees, and his legs are protected in the same manner. In the same and succeeding century, the mail is square or lozengy, not ringed; sometimes it is scaly (pl. xxii). Under the reign of Robert the Devout, who reigned from 997 to 1031, the French adopted, instead of the stuff or linen corslet, from the Normans, 66 une espece de tunique de mailles" (p. 63). The Saxon King, in Strutt, ( Dresses, pl. xix.) from a MS. of the eighth century, wears a just-à-corps of mail, including the thighs. It appears to be formed of small round plates, sewed on leather; though Strutt says (p. 55) that it consists of small rings of wire, interwoven with each other, or quilted upon a tunic or jerkin of leather in such manner as to be rendered pliable; and in either case, is the Lehpinges bynn, or armour with rings, mentioned by the Saxon authors: but it is plain, that were it of simple interlaced rings, it would not set close to the body below the hips, as in the representation. He argues (p. 115) with Malliot, in ascribing the introduction of Mailarmour to the Normans; but observes (p. 116)" that the plated mail in the form of small diamonds (as we before find in Malliot) appears to have been the first defensive armour completed by the Normans. It disappeared, however, about the middle of the 12th century, and was superseded by the chain 335 mail, which was then introduced with additional improvements, and universally adopted. (Ibid.) It appears plain, that the adoption of the mail, merely consisting of iron rings only, not fastened upon leather, was occasioned by the preferable substitution underneath of the padded jacket, which the mail prevented from being torn and cut; and that it was partly intended for this protection of the Gambeson, not as complete armour, is clear, because it could be no defence against the thrust of a spear, arrow, or sword, even with the aid of leather, only in case of cutting downwards. The leathern mail was therefore far inferior to the simple rings, with the padded corslet beneath, for then both straight and hacking blows would be resisted. As to the date of its introduction, we content ourselves with giving the opposite opinions of Dr. Meyrick and Strutt. Except a passage from Sidonius (Carm. ii. 322) upon the Lorica hamata, Dr. M. has quoted every thing upon the subject known to us: and has confirmed from Varro, that the ferrea tunica ex annulis was an improvement of the Gauls upon that of leather (see the passage in p. 346), though in the French imitation, before quoted from Malliot (pl. xiv.) there is not the slightest appearance of rings, plates, or mail in any form*. Art. XXXVII. Observations on the use of the Mysterious Figure called Vesica Piscis, in the Architecture of chitecture. By T. Kerrich, M. A. &c. the Middle Ages, and in Gothic Ar Though Mr. Haggit has clearly demonstrated the Oriental origin of the Pointed Arch, in his excellent Letters, yet the Vesica Piscis may have additionally biassed the early Christians. The terin Vesica Piscis is a symbolical representation of Christ under the figure of a fish in a peculiar form (Archeologia, xvi. p. 306). The figure is called Vesica Piscis by Albert Durer (p. 355), and, for all we know, is an appellation invented by himself +, an opinion which we form, because It may be proper to observe, that the Reviewer of this Article has not had an opportunity of seeing the remarks of Dr. Meyrick in our present Number, p. 307.-EDIT. + We have not referred to Ducange or Charpentier, because Mr. Kerrich would have done that, if the word had been to be found there. 336 REVIEW, Archæologia, Vol. XIX. no such term occurs in the authority below quoted. Mr. Kerrich says (p., 355) "perhaps ideas of particular holiness might be attached to it." We are happy to lay before the learned gentleman the following extract from the Nouvelle Diplomatique, because the subject is little known. "Au haut et au coté gauche d'une inscription, peinte sur un morceau de verre, et publiée par le senateur Buonarotti, on voit le mot grec IXOTE, poisson. Il est composé de cinq lettres, qui, prises separement, forment ces noms Ιησους Χριςος, OBOU Tios, Ewing, Jesus Christ, fils de Dieu, notre Sauveur. Le mot ΙΧΘΥΣ est un symbole, que les premiers Chretiens faisoient graver sur leurs cachets, leurs anneaux, sur les lampes, les tombeaux, et les urnes sepulchrales, avec la figure d'un poisson. Cet usage faisoit allusion aux eaux de baptême, où les fideles sont regenerés; comme le poisson est engendré dans l'eau, et ne peut vivre hors cet element. Aussi Tertullien appelle-t-il les Chretiens petits poissons. Nos pisciculi secundum ixvv nostrum Jesum Christum in quo nascimur.' La piété des premiers Chretiens leur faisoit encore voir dans le poisson une figure sensible de notre Seigneur Jesus Christ, qui a chassé le Demon, et rendu la vue au genre humain; comme ce grand et mysterieux poisson, dont le jeune Tobie se servit par de l'Ange, chassa le Demon, et rendit la vue au saint vieillard Tobie." ordre Eusebius and Augustine ascribe this acrostic to the Erythræan Sibyl; but this is quite out of the question. Art. XXXVIII. On the large Silver Coins of Syracuse. By Richard Payne Knight, Esq. V.P.-Mr. K. says, "that no antient coins are at all comparable to these large coins of Syracuse; whether it be for grandeur, richness, and elegance of design, boldness, truth, and softness of relief; precision, extent, and delicacy of finish." (p. 369.) Good engravings of the chief of them would therefore have been very acceptable. Mr. K.'s remark, according to our knowledge, is original, and very important: for Pinkerton says (Medals, i. 39. new edit.) "the Grecian coins have never yet been regarded with proper attention by men of taste. To the man who admires medals solely as pieces of workmanship, those of Greece will afford the highest satisfaction. Considered in this view, and indeed in most others, they excel those of Rome, the best times of Rome, to a surprising degree. The perfect beauty and tenderness of [April, the female portraits, and the strength and expression of the male, cannot be exceeded by the largest efforts of GreMr. K. has therecian sculpture." fore pointed out to us the best of the Greek coins: for in Sicily "the art of coinage was carried to a perfection, unknown to any other country." Id. 301. The coins in question are those with the head of Ceres or Proserpine on the one side, and a Quadriga driven by a Victory on the other, commonly called Syracusian medaglions. Art. XXXIX. The Runic Inscription on the Font at Bridekirk considered, and a new interpretation proposed. By Wm. Hamper, Esq. F.Š. A. -Mr. Hamper says, that the inscription merely records the name of the sculptors, and does not commemorate the conversion of Ekkard and the Danes. We should like to know when the old Runic character was first disused in this kingdom: for these Runes, as engraved (pl. xxxv.) are of the most antient kind, not the more recent Ulphilan. The best engraved Runes are the most antient. Art. XL. On the Posts antiently placed on each side of the Gates of Chief Magistrates of Cities in England. By John Adey Repton, Esq.— Every body who has read Steevens on Shakspeare, must recollect the Sheriffs' Posts, where proclamations were stuck up, and read bareheaded (why, see Berkeley MSS. p. 128). It appears from (pl. xxxvi.) that these posts were richly sculptured pillars or pilasters in a fancy stile: but barbarously enough painted. Mr. Repton has enriched the account with some very curious extracts from old plays. Art. XLI. On the Lituus of the antient Romans; shewing that this name had a twofold signification; being used to denote a sign of the highest Priesthood, and also an Augural staff: but that the whole series of numismatic writers have considered it as applicable solely to the latter toge ther with some other Observations in Illustration of a Jasper Intaglia Sig net, bearing the sacrifical symbols of the Roman Pontifex Maximus; and recently discovered under remarkable circumstances in Cambridge. By the late Edw. Dan. Clarke, LL. D. This paper is the last of the Volume, and, like the concluding scene of a Pantomine, is a splendid display. The late Dr. Clarke 1822.] REVIEW. Archæologia, Vol. XIX. Dr. Clarke was a Milo of erudition, and as powerfully carried a load of abstruse learning, as the Roman did the ox, with the muscular vigour of Atlas. Dr. Clarke discriminates the tendrilshaped Lituus from that of the form of a shepherd's crook. The former he considers as the Quirinal Lituus of Virgil, older than the Roman æra, and indicative of sovereignty, without any allusion to the Augurate, which was represented by the other Lituus in the form of a Pedum (p. 392). He adds, that the Baoshin pados of the Greeks, and the Sceptrum regale of the Romans, when they had the Canoe-form, were symbols of military dominion, as the tendril-formed Expo was of the highest pontifical dignity (p. 397). Of the first affirmation, there can be no doubt, for Justin says expressly, Per ea adhuc tempora regis [Romule] hastas pro diademate habebant, quas Græci sceptra dixere. Nam et ab origine rerum, pro diis immortalibus veteres hasta's coluere: ob cujus religionis memoriam, adhuc deorum simulacris hasta adduntur." (L. xliii. c. 3. p. 318. Ed. Delph.) There were state sceptres and common ones, called Ferula. Of sceptres there are various representations on the Hamilton Vases. In Kirke (pl. iv.) is a figure holding a staff, like a billiard mace. He is crowned with myrtle, and offers a branch of jesamum. He is defined as an Augur, conveying fruitful seasons (p. 3). In pl. xiv. p. 9. we have the Ferula, a symbol of Bacchus, a staff, with a flowering bulb at top. In pl. xxviii. p. 20, the sceptre of Atlas is a staff also, with a flower on the top, emblematic of the family of Uranus, an African King, who first civilized his country, by bringing his people into towns, and teaching them the use and cultivation of fruits. In pl. lii. the sceptre of Bellerophon is likewise long, and crowned with a bud expanding. In pl. lvi. the sceptre of a Queen is similar.-The term Lituus was vague; for the musical instrument so called is of the shape of an ox's horn, or rather of the Rhytium or old drinking horn. (See Burney's Music, I. pl. iv. fig. 10). The word therefore offers us no aid as to a precise idea of form. The tendril-shaped symbol, presumed to be the Quirinal GENT. MAG. April, 1822. 337 Lituus of the old Kings of Italy before Romulus, (as in p. 391) could not be borrowed from the vine, for it was not planted in the environs of Rome till the year 600 U. C. and then was very rare. From whatever source it was derived, probably one of those which Dr. Clarke suggests, to us it appears to be in one form a representation of fertility and fecundity, which was to attend the government of the Prince, whose effigies it accompanies, and thus to imply a characteristic of him in civil life, as the spear did in the military; and though we do not deny its denotation, in one form, of pontifical power, we think that the flower in pl. xxxvii. f. 2. and pl. xxxviii. f. 8. and pl. xxxix. f. 18. had the distinct meaning, of which we have presumed it to be indicative, when under the form of a flower: for that was the symbol of Hope, and many Imperial figures bear a flower. In short, we do not consider the figures, which we have quoted, to have ever been litui of any kind, quirinal, augural, or musical, but originally Egyptian hieroglyphics. If we are in error, the Hamilton vases, which represent Italian habits, costumes, &c. before the foundation of Rome, and abound in representations of royal personages, have misled us. Thither we have naturally resorted, under the conception that it was the proper source to ascertain whether the old sceptre of the Italian Kings was, or not, of the form of the Lituus, called Quirinalis by the very learned Doctor. Kirke's good selection was the only book to which we could refer, and in none of the figures there do we see the sceptre of any other forms than those described. The larger collection, and other musea, may furnish the requisite desideratum, which ought to be of an age anterior to the Roman; and, as it is, we speak diffidently, because we have derived infinite illumination and pleasure from the writings of Dr. Clarke, and we express even trifling doubt with pain, because we know that in many abstruse points of Archæology, particularly those connected with very antient superstitions, implicit reliance is not to be placed on the very authors who lived in the times. If the Sphynx had not been unintelligible, what would have been the fame of Œdipus? |