114 APPENDIX. 



which may be regarded as perfected tumuU — the evidence of its prevalence at a 

 period long anteceding the dawn of written history. In the deep night of anti- 

 quity, step by step, had the rude heap of stones which filial regard first gathered 

 over the dead, developed itself, until in its massive proportions and solid strength 

 it emulated the mountains, and bade defiance to time. Homer speaks frequently of 

 the sepulchral tumuU of the heroic age of early Greece, and gives many curious 

 details relating to the ceremonies of the interment. The description of the burial 

 of Patroclus is familiar to most readers ; it, however, conveys so accurate and 

 lively an idea of the practices common to ancient burials, that we cannot do better, 

 in illustration of our subject, than to quote it here. It should be premised that 

 the Homeric heroes were burnt before interment, 



" They still abiding heaped the pile. 

 A hundred feet of breadth from side to side 

 They gave to it, and on the summit placed, 

 With sorrowing hearts, the body of the dead. 

 Many a fat sheep, with many an ox full-horned, 

 They flayed before the pile, busy their taslt 

 Administering ; and Peleus' son, the fat 

 Taking from every victim, overspread 

 Complete the body with it of his friend 

 Patroclus, and the flayed beasts heaped around. 

 Then, placing flagons on the pile, replete 

 With oil and honey, he inclined their mouths 

 Towards the bier, and slew and added next, 

 Deep groaning and in haste, four martial steeds. 

 Nine dogs the hero at his table fed ; 

 Of which beheading two, their carcasses 

 He added also. Last, twelve gallant soris 

 Of noble Trojans slaying (for his heart 

 Teemed with great vengeance), he applied the force 

 Of hungry flames that should devour the whole." 



Iliad, Book XXIII., Cowper's Version, 



The sacrifices done, and the body consumed, the bones are next collected and 

 the tumulus heaped above. 



^' The Grreeks obey ! Where yet the embers glow. 

 Wide o'er the pile the sable wine they throw, 

 And deep subsides the ashy heap below. 

 Next the white bones his sad companions place, 

 With tears collected, in the golden vase. 

 The sacred relics to the tent they bore ; 

 The urn a veil of linen covered o'er. 

 That done, they bid the sepulchre aspire. 

 And cast the deep foundations round the pyre ; 

 High in the midst they heap the swelling bed 

 Of rising ea,rth, memorial of the dead." — -Iliad, Book XXIII. 



