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inquiry, although not uninteresting, being unassisted by theremains of any coeval monument, and being founded on thedisputed interpretation of various passages, some of whichare themselves of doubtful antiquity, cannot be expected tolead to any very accurate result 1 . A general view of thisspecies of the Homeric architecture will be sufficient,preserving at the same time some attention to such particulars,as from their character of ornament may serve to afford amore correct notion of the state of the art.

These mansions, whose chief recommendation wasconstituted by solidity and extent, were built round acourt; a plan universally adopted in succeeding ages, andwhich still prevails in the same countries. The palace ofPriam answers this description; it was composed of hewnstone, constructed with open chambers or porticoes, and inaddition to the part occupied by the old king, containedfifty apartments allotted to his sons, and on the oppositeside of the court twelve separate habitations for his sons-in-law and their wives 2 . The chambers in general of theHomeric buildings, with the exception of the great hall ofthe palace, appear to have been small, at least no expressionoccurs respecting them which can lead us to think otherwise.Rich furniture was not uncommon; the seats and coucheswere frequently distinguished by their costly materialsand beautiful workmanship 3 ; but the chief decorationconsisted, probably, in the magnificence of the arms, andin the skilful manner in which they were arranged 4 .

1 See the explanation of Plate 5 , Section iv. 2 II. vi. 242—50.

3 II. xi. 644. xviii. 390. Od. xx. l60. 4 If vi. 321.

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