should pass at once to the model of a Xanthian Ionic
peristyle building, surrounded by fourteen columns
and ornamented with statues, made under the direction
of Sir Charles Fellows, from the remains found on
the site of the original building, which lie about
the room, and which the visitor is about to examine.
The original building was thirty-five feet in height,
measuring from the pediment to the base. Its
object has been variously stated, but cannot be said
to be clearly and satisfactorily known. Of the
conjectures which have obtained certain credit, we
may mention that which described it as a trophy raised,
in 476 B.C., to celebrate the subjugation of Lycia
by the Persians; and that which describes the subject
of the decorative sculptures as that of the suppression
of the revolt of the Cilicians by the Persian Satrap
of Lycia. The remains of this mysterious building
are ranged in groups about the room; and the visitor
will observe indications of the flow of the lines,
and the artistic grace, which subsequently marked
Grecian sculpture from every other on the face of
the earth. Here it is not impossible to recognise
the Greek mind: far below that of the decoration
of the Parthenon, it is true; but yet elegant and
thoughtful. The groups of sculpture marked (34-49)
are the sculptures of the broader frieze which, it
is conjectured, surrounded the base of the building.
Here are represented a series of warlike encounters
in which the Greek arms are prominent—their
helmets, crests, and Argolic bucklers; while other
soldiers are represented nearly nude, and in some instances
wearing the Asiatic pointed cap. This frieze
undoubtedly represents the Greeks at war with Asiatic
tribes. The fragments of the narrow frieze which
bordered the upper part of the frieze are marked from
50 to 68. The first four fragments represent
the attack of a town, supposed to be the Lycian town
Xanthus. Here the besiegers may be observed scaling
the wall, and the officers cheering on the men.
The five following fragments represent various scenes
of warfare between Greeks and Asiatics. Then
a walled city is represented, with the heads of a
besieged party looking over the ramparts; then a figure
of a Satrap occurs (62), supposed to be that of the
Persian conqueror of Lycia, Harpagus, who is screened
with an umbrella held by a slave, which is the emblem
of his sovereignty, and is in the act of receiving
a deputation from the besieged city. The next
two fragments represent a sally from the besieged
town; and upon the 67th fragment is some carving supposed
to illustrate the retreat of the besieged to their
city. The groups marked (69,70,74) are fragments
of the capping-stones of the east front of the base,
and columns and fragments of columns from the peristyle.
Those groups, however, marked (75-84), which consist
of the statues originally placed in the intercolumniations
of the building, are figures of divinities, with various
symbols at their feet, as the dolphin, the halcyon,