ON THE SO-CALLED BOW-PULLER OF ANTIQUITY. 151 



I have already shown in my paper on Ancient and Mod- 

 ern Methods of Arrow Release 1 that, as far back as classic 

 times, the European drew the bow with the tips of his two 

 or three Anders. From the fact that the Mediterranean 

 nations have used this release I have termed it the Medi- 

 terranean release. A remarkable example of this release 

 has come to light since the publication of that paper in the 

 discovery of the so-called Alexander Sarcophagus, at Si- 

 don, in Phoenicia. Mr. Edward Robinson informs methat 

 this most beautifnl specimen of Greek sepulchral art yet 

 brought to light is now in the Museum at Constantinople, 

 to which place it was carried by Hamdy Bey, the Director 

 of Antiquities of the Ottoman Empire. This Scholar, in 

 conjunction with M. Theodore Reinach, has published it, 

 and other sarcophagi found at the same time and place, 

 in a sumptuous work entitled ühe JVecropole royale ä Si- 

 don. The date of this sarcophagus is probably the latter 

 part of the fourth Century B. C. On one side is represented 

 a hunt, in which Greeks and Persians take part, and on 

 the other a battle between the Greeks and Persians. At 

 the time of its discovery the magnificence of its decorations 

 gave rise to the supposition that it was the sarcophagus of 

 Alexander the Great, whence it derived its name ; but 

 while this theory is no longer maintained it is still possible 

 that the principal figure in each scene may be a portrait of 

 him, somewhat idealized, as many of his portraits were. 



In the battle scene is shown the most perfect Mediter- 

 ranean release of classic times. A photograph of this sar- 

 cophagus was sent to Mr. Robinson shortly after its 

 discovery and from this he has recently had made a sun 

 print enlarged to natural size which may be seen in the 

 gallery of sculpture, Boston Museum of Eine Arts. 



The bow-puller certainly had nothing to do with this 



i Bulletin of the Essex Institute, Vol. xvn, Oct.-Dec, 1885. 



