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I 



ANCIENT GARDENS IN EUROPE 3 



by the heat, a sunny plot on level ground, while other grapes men are gather- 

 ing, and yet others they are treading in the wine-press. In the foremost 

 row are unripe grapes that cast the blossom, and others there be that are 

 growing black to vintaging. There too, skirting the furthest line, are all 

 manner of garden beds, planted trimly, that are perpetually fresh, and 

 therein are two fountains of water, whereof one scatters his streams all about 

 the garden, and the other runs over against it beneath the threshold of 

 the courtyard, and issues by the lofty house, and thence did the townsfolk 

 draw water. These were the splendid gifts of the gods in the palace of 

 Alcinous." 1 



About the sixth century b.c. the effect of foreign influence began to 

 make itself felt, and travellers returned with glowing accounts of the " Para- 

 deisoi " of the Persian kings and of the wonders of Babylon and Egypt. 

 On account of the smallness of the Greek cities and their democratic rule 

 it was vain to attempt any approach to Eastern magnificence ; but although 

 unable to compete in extent or display, the Greek gardens by the beauty 

 of their statuary and architecture equalled, if they did not surpass, their 

 larger prototypes. The principal apartments of a Greek dwelling were 

 planned upon the opposite side to the entrance, and the garden was usually 

 enclosed by the rear wings of the house. At the further end would probably 

 be a high bank of earth planted with sweet-smelling shrubs, roses, myrtles 

 and agnus-castus, in order that the scent might be freely wafted across the 

 garden area. Upon one side was often a cool shady wood, thickly planted 

 like the Italian hosco. The art of forcing and retarding flowers v/as 

 considerably practised by the Greeks, who thus ensured a continuous supply 

 throughout the year, Democritus speaks of the lentisk and of freshly cut 

 branches of the vine being used to form soft springy couches upon which 

 to enjoy the midday rest. Flowers were cultivated upon an elaborate 

 scale, each variety being as a rule in separate beds. In the collection of 

 writings known as the " Geoponica " there are frequent allusions to the 

 varieties of plants and also to the general planning of Greek gardens. Myrtles, 

 violets, roses, lilies, hyacinths and iris were largely grown. The narcissus 

 was used for crowning the statues of goddesses ; actors and dancers often 

 wore crowns of flowers, and at every feast it was the custom for guests to 

 adorn themselves with chaplets and garlands. The temples and altars 

 ^ Odyssey, VII, Translation of S. H. Butcher and A. Lang, 



