Ancient art and ritual / by Jane Ellen Harrison.

  • Harrison, Jane Ellen, 1850-1928.
Date:
[1913], ©1913
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Ancient art and ritual / by Jane Ellen Harrison. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    We say a style is “ dithyrambic ” when it is unmeasured, too ornate, impassioned, flowery. The Greeks themselves had forgotten that the word Dithyramb meant a leaping, in- spired dance. But they had not forgotten on what occasion that dance was danced. Pindar wTote a Dithyramb for the Dionysiac festival at Athens, and his song is full of springtime and flowers. He bids all the gods come to Athens to dance flower-crowned. “Look upon the dance, Olympians; send us the grace of Victory, ye gods who come to the heart of our city, where many feet are treading and incense steams : in sacred Athens come to the holy centre-stone. Take your portion of garlands pansy-twined, libations poured from the culling of spring. . . . “ Come hither to the god with ivy bound. Bromios we mortals name Him, and Him of the mighty Voice. . . . The clear signs of his Fulfilment are not hidden, whensoever the chamber of the purple-robed Hours is opened, and nectarous flowers lead in the fragrant spring. Then, then, are flung over the immortal Earth, lovely petals of pansies, and roses are amid our hair; and voices of song