Chap. 17.] THE IMMODERATE PEICES OF STATUES. 16:5 



Greeks call **pla8tice ;"^^' for the art of modelling was prior to 

 that of statuary. This last, however, has flourished to such an 

 extraordinary degree, that an account of it would fill many 

 volumes, if we were desirous of making an extensive acquaint- 

 ance with the subject: but as to learning everything con- 

 nected with it, who could do it ? 



CHAP. 17. THE IMMODERATE PEICES OF STATUES. 



In the aedileship of M. Scaurus, there were three thousand 

 statues erected on the stage of what was a temporary theatre^'' 

 only. Mummius, the conqueror of Achaia, filled the City 

 with statues ; he who at his death was destined not to leave a 

 dowry to his daughter,^^ for why not mention this as an 

 apology for him? The Luculli^^ also introduced many ar- 

 ticles from abroad. Yet we learn from Mucianus,^ who was 

 thrice consul, that there are still three thousand statues in 

 Khodes, and it is supposed that there are no fewer in ex- 

 istence at Athens, at Olympia, and at Delphi. What living 

 mortal could enumerate them all ? or of what utility would 

 be such information ? Still, however, I may, perhaps, afford 

 amusement by giving some slight account of such of those works 

 of art as are in any way remarkable, and stating the names of 

 the more celebrated artists. Of each of these it would be 

 impossible to enumerate all the productions, for Lysippus- 

 alone is said to have executed no less than fifteen hundred** 

 works of art, all of which were of such excellence that any 

 one of them might have immortalized him. The number was 

 ascertained by his heir, upon opening his coffers after his 

 death, it having been his practice to lay up one golden 



96* The art of moulding or modelling in argillaceous earth ; see B. xxxv. 

 cc. 43, 45. 



97 See B. xxxvi. c. 2, where he informs us that this theatre was hardly 

 one month in use. — B. 



98 Hardouin gives several quotations illustrative of his liberality in 

 bestowing ornaments in the City, and his inattention to his domestic 

 concerns. — B. 



99 The brothers Lucius and Marcus, the former of whom triumphed in 

 the Mithridatic, the latter in the Macedonian War.— B. 



1 See end of B. ii. 2 gee B. vii. c. 38. 



2* The absolute number of statues assigned to Lysippus differs consider- 

 ably in the different editions, as is the case in almost every instance where 

 figures are concerned. Plipy gives a further account of his works in the 

 next two Chapters and in the following Book. — B. 



M 2 



