ON THE PROGRESS OF SCULPTURE. 461 



were suborned by a band of conspirators against 

 Pericles, to prefer this accusation against him. 

 Plutarch, who derived his information from other 

 sources, particularly mentions Menon by name, as 

 one of the artists suborned, and as a willing instru- 

 ment to destroy the reputation of a successful 

 rival. 



The trial was held in a public assembly, and 

 Phidias was acquitted on the most satisfactory evi- 

 dence ; for the robe of Minerva, was, by a wise 

 precaution, so constructed, as to allow of removal 

 without injury either to itself or the statue. 



The Biographer proceeds to relate, that Phidias 

 had still to encounter the malice of his rivals, and 

 to combat the perils attendant upon the eminent 

 position, to which his matchless performances had 

 elevated him. His offence now resolved itself into 

 an act of profaneness. He was charged with in- 

 troducing his own portrait and that of his patron, 

 into the battle of Amazons, represented on the 

 shield of Minerva. He was committed to prison 

 where he died of disease ; or more probably of 

 poison, administered with the view of furthering 

 and sustaining the impeachment of Pericles. The 

 informer on this occasion, had his expenses paid 



