[276] The articles belonging to the Treasure are partly engraved on seven separate Plates (XIV.—XX.), and partly marked with Tr. in the cuts. They were found at a depth of 8-1/2 meters, nearly 28 feet. The General View of the Treasure ([Plate III]., opposite p. 22) shows a few objects which are either so like others, or so insignificant, as not to need a separate delineation.
[277] See [Plate XIV]., No. 234. This round shield of copper (or bronze?), with its central boss, and the furrow and rim so suitable for holding together a covering of ox-hides, reminds us irresistibly of the seven-fold shield of Ajax:—Iliad, VII. 219-223 (cf. 245-247):—
Αἴας δ’ ἐγγύθεν ἦλθε φέρων σάκος ἠΰτε πύργον,br /> Χάλκεον ἑπταβόειον, ὅ οἱ Τυχίος κάμε τεύχων,br /> Σκυτοτόμων ὄχ’ ἄριστος, Ὕλῃ ἔνι οἰκία ναίων,br /> Ὅς οἱ ἐποίησεν σάκος αἰόλον ἑπταβόειον,br /> Ταύρων ζατρεφέων, ἐπὶ δ’ ὄγδοον ἤλασε χαλκόν.br />
“Ajax approached; before him, as a tower,
“His mighty shield he bore, seven-fold, brass-bound,
“The work of Tychius, best artificer
“That wrought in leather; he in Hyla dwelt.
“Of seven-fold hides the ponderous shield was wrought
“Of lusty bulls: the eighth was glittering brass.”
It is equally striking to compare the shield of the Treasure with the description of Sarpedon’s shield, with its round plate of hammered copper (or bronze), and its covering of ox-hides, fastened to the inner edge of the rim by gold wires or rivets (Iliad, XII. 294-297):—
Αὐτίκα δ’ ἀσπίδα μὲν πρόσθ’ ἔσχετο πάντοσ’ ἐΐσην
Καλὴν χαλκείην ἐξήλατον, ἣν ἄρα χαλκεὺς
Ἤλασεν, ἔντοσθεν δὲ βοείας ῥάψε θαμειὰς
Χρυσείῃς ῥάβδοισι διηνέκεσιν περὶ κύκλον.
“His shield’s broad orb before his breast he bore,
Well wrought, of beaten brass, which the armourer’s hand
Had beaten out, and lined with stout bull’s hide
With golden rods, continuous, all around.”—[Ed.]
[278] See [Plate XIV]., No. 235. In the Iliad the λέβης is used almost always as a caldron, and is often given as a prize at games; in the Odyssey it is always used for washing the hands or feet. This one shows the marks of a fearful conflagration, and near the left handle are seen two fragments of copper weapons (a lance and a battle-axe) firmly molten on. (Description to the Atlas of Photographs.)
[279] See [Plate XV]., No. 236. This remarkable object lay at the top of the whole mass, and Dr. Schliemann supposes it to have formed a hasp to the lid of the wooden chest in which the Treasure was packed. (Description in Atlas.)
[280] These vessels of gold are shown on [Plate XV]., Nos. 237, 238.
[281] [Plate XVI]., Nos. 239, 240.
[282] Or, as suggested in the ‘Quarterly Review’ for April 1874, a person, holding the cup before him by the two handles, may have poured a libation from the further spout and then have drunk out of the nearer. Thus Achilles used a choice goblet (δέπας) for drinking wine and pouring libations to the gods. (Iliad, XVI., 225-228.)