For Whom Did the Bell Toll in Ancient Greece? Archaic and Classical Greek Bells at Sparta and Beyond

74 Pages·2002·10.55 MB·English

by  Alexandra Villing

For Whom Did the Bell Toll in Ancient Greece? Archaic and Classical Greek Bells at Sparta and
Beyond
Author(s): Alexandra Villing
Source: The Annual of the British School at Athens, Vol. 97 (2002), pp. 223-295
Published by: British School at Athens
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30073190
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FOR WHOM DID THE BELL TOLL IN ANCIENT
GREECE? ARCHAIC AND CLASSICAL GREEK BELLS
AT SPARTA AND
BEYOND1
'The belld otht ollforh imt hatt hinksit doth'
John Donne, 1623
ANCIENTG reeks were not familiar with large bells of the kind that ring in our churches today.
Smaller, portable bells, usually not much taller than about Io cm, were, however, a fairly
widespread feature of ancient Greek life. These remain a virtually unstudied subject and their
existence is largely unknown to many scholars.2E ven a study dedicated to the early history of
' I should like to thank the Director of the British School at Dickins, 'Sparta 1907' = G. Dickins, 'Excavations at
Athens, David Blackman,f or permission to study and publish Sparta, 1907: the Hieron of Athena Chalkioikos', BSA 13
the Spartan bells, and the director and staff of the Ephorate (1906-7), 137-54.
of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of Sparta, in Dickins, 'Sparta 1908' = G. Dickins, 'Excavations at
particular Elena Zavvou, for their hospitality and help in Sparta, 90o8:t he Hieron of Athena Chalkioikos', BSA 14
locating and recording the bells. I especially acknowledgem y (1907-8), 142-6.
gratitude for the receipt of a Hector and Elizabeth Catling Hickman, 'Zur Geschichte' = H. Hickman, 'Zur
bursaryf rom the British School, which enabled me to extend Geschichte der altagyptischenG locke', Musiku ndK irche3, 0/2
and complete my research on this topic, as well as to all the (1951),3 -19.
staff and members of the British School, which provided a Jantzen, SamosV III= U. Jantzen, SamosV III:d iigyptiscuhned
happy home throughoutm y researcho n bells. Over the years, orientalischBer onzena usd emH eraionv onS amos( Bonn, 1972).
I have also become indebted to many other individuals for M6bius, 'Glocken': H. M6bius, 'Kaukasische Glocken in
their generous help or instructivec omments:J ohn Boardman, Samos', in W. Schiering (ed.), StudiaV aria( Wiesbaden, 1967),
Philip Brize, Hector Catling, Richard Catling, John Curtis, 1-13.
Eleanor Dickey, Katerina Dourida, Susanne Ebbinghaus, Morillot, Etude= L. Morillot, Etudes ur l'emplodi es clochettes
Maria Effinger, Lesley Fitton, Stephen Hodkinson, Karin chezl es ancienes t depuisle triomphdeu christianism(De ijon, 1888).
Hornig, Annette Hupfloher, Geralda Jurriaans-Helle, Nigel Pease, 'Bells' = A. S. Pease, 'Notes on some uses of bells
Kennell, Hermann Kienast, Christina Leypold, Michael among the Greeks and Romans', HSCP 15 (1904),2 9-59.
Lipka, Stavros Paspalas, Richard Posamentir, Bodo Prekel, Price,B ellsa ndM an = P. Price,B ellsa ndM an (Oxford,1 983).
Rosa Proskynitopoulou,S tuart Rae, Jutta Stroszeck,C hikako Simon, 'Ionia' = C. G. Simon, 'The Archaic Votive
Sugawara, Judith Swaddling, Frank Wascheck, and Dyfri Offerings and Cults of Ionia' (diss., University of California,
Williams. I am further indebted to the staff of the British Berkeley,U MI, Ann Arbor, 199o).
School at Athens, the Sparta Museum, the National Museum Spear, Treasur=y N. Spear, A Treasuroyf ArchaeologicBael lls
at Athens, the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities (New York, 1978).
and the Department of the Ancient Near East of the British Trumpf-Lyritzaki, 'Glocke' = M. Trumpf-Lyritzaki, in
Museum, the Nationaal Beiaardmuseum in Asten Reallexikonfd r Antike und Christentumx, i (Stuttgart, I98I),
(Netherlands), and the Bell Museums in Gescher and in 164-96, s.v. 'Glocke'.
Apolda in Germany, for the kind assistance rendered during Fr. = fragment;H . = height; W. = width; D. = diameter.
my visits there, as well as to the audiences of a British School 2 A good but brief summary of present knowledge about
Upper House Seminar on 7 May 2001 and a Classical ancient bells is given by Trumpf-Lyritzaki, 'Glocke',
Archaeology Seminar in the Institute of Classical Studies, although this neglects the development of their shapes. Still
London, on 14 November 2001 for a stimulating discussion. well worth reading are Pease, 'Bells', and Cook, 'Gong', who
Any remaining shortcomingsa re, of course, my own. provide in-depth discussions on the ancient meaning and
Dates are BCu nless indicated otherwise. usage of bells, superseding the earlier attempts by E.
Special abbreviations: Esperandieu, DA V, 341-4, s.v. 'Tintinnabulum', and
Bouzek, Bronzes= J. Bouzek, Graeco-MacedoniaBnr onzes Morillot, Etude.O nly the bells from Samos and their Near
(Analysias ndC hronolog(yP) rague, I974). Eastern connections have been given a thorough
Calmeyer, 'Glocke' = P. Calmeyer, in Reallexikond er archaeological analysis (see below nn. 96-7); otherwise, the
Assyriologiiei,i (Berlin, 1969), 427-31, s.v. 'Glocke'. most comprehensive survey of ancient bells in the
Cook, 'Gong' = A. B. Cook, 'The gong at Dodona', JHS archaeological record is found in Spear, Treasuryb, ut little
22 (1902),5 -28. space is allocated to Greek bells.
224 ALEXANDRA VILLING
the bell claims that bell-finds are lacking from Greek sanctuary sites.3 This study is now 6o
years old and much new material has been discovered since, but the statement was not true
even at the time it was published, since as early as 1907/8 Guy Dickins had reported the find
of bronze bells dedicated as votives to Athena in her sanctuary on the Spartan acropolis.
These Spartan bells are-to my knowledge-the largest find of ancient bells from a single
context ever made on Greek soil, as well as the earliest and richest find of bells with votive
inscriptions. The present article gives these finds their long overdue publication and aims to
open up a discussion on the typology and function of ancient Greek bells. What were ancient
bells used for? Why do we find them in Sparta in such large numbers? What is their origin?
How do they contribute to our knowledge of ancient Sparta, ancient Greece, and ancient
Greek religion?
This chapter discusses both typological and functional questions. The introduction of the
material in section I is followed (section II) by a survey of Spartan bells in the framework of
the development of bells in ancient Greece, and (section III) by an assessment of the uses and
meanings of ancient bells as gleaned from the sources, and in particular the possible function
of bells in ancient Sparta.
I. THE BELLS OF SPARTA: THE EVIDENCE
Bells were found on the Spartan acropolis from the first season of the British excavations,
as early as 1907, when Dickins began to excavate in the sanctuary of Athena Chalkioikos.4
Just how rich these finds were became clear by 1925, when A. M. Woodward announced
that to date about forty bronze bells and even more terracotta bells had been found, the
seasons 1924 and 1925 alone producing in total about eighty.5 Few, however, were ever
presented to the public: three inscribed bronze bells were published in drawings between
1921 and 1925 (Br x, 8, 12: FIGS. 2-4), and of two further bronze bells (Br Io, 14: FIGS. 3,
4) only the votive inscriptions were published. Of these finds, research in the storerooms of
the Sparta Museum has brought to light 34 bronze and 102 terracotta bells (or fragments
thereof).
CATALOGUE
Inventory numbers, if given, are the inventory numbers of the Sparta Museum as far as they can be established
(severalb ells and other objects are often catalogued under a single inventory number; terracotta bells listed under
Inv. no. 3000 were found in the 1924-7 seasons). Weight is rounded to the nearest 5 g. Unless indicated otherwise,
bells are unpublished. Clay colour is given according to the CEC colour chart.
A fairly comprehensive list of bells from Greek 4 Dickins, 'Sparta 1907', I50, records that the principal
sanctuaries is given by Simon, 'Ionia', 289-96, but with finds in the upper stratum, i.e. in the second period of the
hardly any discussion as to their development or meaning. sanctuary, Postgeometric, included 'a series of bronze bells,
Bouzek, Bronzes8, 7-93, makes a first attempt at a typology some inscribed with dedications to Athena', and that (p. 153)
of Greek bells. A brief but authoritative summary of bells in in 1907 a series of terracotta votive bells was also found,
the Near East is given by Calmeyer, 'Glocke'. A number of which were 'doubtless a cheap variety of the bronze type'. In
authors have tackled the issue of Roman (see below, n. 28) the following year, Dickins, 'Sparta 1908', 142, 145, records
and Egyptian bells (cf. the various contributions by H. that the only objects of interest were found in the SW corner
Hickmann cited throughout the article, esp. id., 'Zur of the E half of the sanctuary, among them three bronze
Geschichte'). bells.
3 J. Wiesner, 'Aus der Frithzeit der Glocke', Archivfiir 5 BSA 26 (1923-5), 249, 273-
Religionswissensch3a7ft (,1 941-2), 46-51-
FOR WHOM DID THE BELL TOLL IN ANCIENT GREECE? 225
Parts Common handle types
handle
top
(apex/summit) ,clapper
shoulder - basketh anII dle basketh anId/-'l-e loop Ih an-I dle
(arched) with
upturnede nds
flank/wall -I rim
-foot
base/mouth arch-and-loop angular
handle handle
Profile shapes
hemispherical dome-shaped conical cylindrical flaringr im truncated truncated
(barrel-shaped) (tulip-shaped) cone pyramid
Base shapes
round square rectangular octagonal
FIG.I . Terminologoyf ancientG reekb ells:s hapesa ndp arts.
Bronzeb ells 142; T. A. Boring, Literacyin AncienSt parta( Mnemosyne
Br I. Inv. no. 3278. H. (total)7 .4 cm, (body)4 .8 cm; D. supp. 54; Leiden, 1979), III no. 157.
4.9 cm; Th. 0.4 cm; D. (hole) 0.45 cm; W. 190 g. High Br 2. H. (total) 4.7 cm, (body) 2.9 cm; D. 3.4 cm; Th.
dome-shaped bell. Offset, thickened, concave rim. 0.2-0.3 cm; D. (hole) 0.3 cm; W. 45 g. High dome-
Originally with five long knob-shaped feet, now only shaped bell. Offset, thickened, slightly convex rim,
two preserved. High arched handle with flat, leaf- with short vertical lines incised at bottom and line of
shaped ends attached to shoulder. Segment of iron demarcation from body. High arched handle with flat,
chain (figure-of-eight shape) linked to handle. Small leaf-shaped ends attached to shoulder. Three knob-
round hole in top of bell from which iron clapper was shaped feet. Round hole slightly below summit of bell,
once suspended; remains of small nail(?)p reserved at off to one side next to handle-end. Well-preserved
side of hole. Upper part of clapper is short round bar surface, green patina.
with loop at the end, from which the elongated drop- Br 3. H. (total) 5.5 cm, (body) 3.8 cm; D. 4.3 cm; Th.
shaped lower part is suspended. Dark bronze patina. 0o.3-07 cm; D. (hole) o.15 cm; W. 8o g. High dome-
Clapper much corroded, now glued to inside of bell. shaped bell. Offset, thickened, slightly convex rim.
Incised inscription runs around bell above base-rim: High arched handle merging into shoulder. Three
AOANAIANEOEKENEMHEAOKAEE2IANIEOEKE. knob-shaped feet. Round hole at top into which thin
Probablyf ifth century.F oundi n portico in I1924. bronze wire (D. o.i cm) with thickened upper end is
Published: JHS 44 (1924), 259 fig. 3; BSA 26 inserted, terminating in a loop (to which clapper must
(1923-5), 270 fig. 5; BSA 30 (i928-30), 252 no. 5; A. once have been attached). Surface very corroded,
Woodward, BritishS chooal t AthensE: xcavationast Sparta, green-brown patina.
1924 (Pamphlet, autumn 1924), 11f ig. 7; P Price, Bells Br 4. Inv. no. 2030.68. H. (total) 3.5 cm, (body) 2.9
andM an (Oxford, 1983), 75; SEG xi. 663; LGPNI IIA. cm; D. 3.2-3-3 cm; Th. 0.2-0.35 cm; D. (holes) 0.15
226 ALEXANDRA VILLING
Br 1
Br 2
Br 4
Br 3
Br 5
Br 6
FIG.2 . Bronze bells from the sanctuary of Athena on the Spartan acropolis. Sparta, Museum (scale i : 2).
FOR WHOM DID THE BELL TOLL IN ANCIENT GREECE? 227
A)
Br 7
f PAXA A/ & E E
Br 9
Br 8
AG/N
Br 11
Br 10
FIG.3 . Bronze bells from the sanctuary of Athena on the Spartan acropolis. Sparta, Museum (scale I : 2).
228 ALEXANDRA VILLING
O
1AC :.
AIEOEEK K AA //, \tI K P TNP- \ \
A /\f/A I>[X
Br 13
Br 12
Br 15
Br 14
Br 18
Br 16 Br 17
Br 19 Br 20
FIG.4 . Bronze bells from the sanctuary of Athena on the Spartan acropolis. Sparta, Museum (scale I : 2).
FOR WHOM DID THE BELL TOLL IN ANCIENT GREECE? 229
cm each; W. 35 g. High dome-shaped bell with part of shaped feet, one partly broken off. Round hole at
the wall broken off. Offset, thickened, concave rim. summit, some traces of corroded metal inside bell.
Two of originally three knob-shaped feet are Surface somewhat corroded, brown-greenp atina.
preserved. Only the very ends of high arched handle Br io. Inv. No. 3282. H. (total) 4.7 cm, (body) 3.1 cm;
merging into shoulder preserved. Two very small D. 3.2 cm; Th. 0.2 cm; D. (hole) 0.2 cm; W. 45 g.
holes at the summit, from one of which small bronze Conical bell with rounded top. Offset thickened rim
nail is protruding. Inside, at the top and side of the with central groove. Three short feet. High arched
wall, traces of corroded iron attest existence of iron handle with upturned pointed ends attached to
clapper (once attached to bell with nail)-second nail shoulder. Hole at summit; second hole not pierced
possibly inside bell in lump of corroded metal. Much through (visible only from the inside). No traces of
corroded, green-brownp atina. Found in 1926. clapper. Inscribed above rim: AOA ('AOa[vaicat]-
Br 5. H. (total)4 .8 cm, (body)3 cm; D. 3.5 cm; Th. but no furtherl etters can be discerned). Fifth century?
0.3-0.5 cm; D. (hole) 0.1-0.3 cm; W. 65 g. Conical bell Found in 1907.
with rounded top. Offset rim, thickened and divided Published: BSA 25 (1919-21), 118 no. 67 [not
into one wide and two narrow ridges by grooves, now illustrated]; Boring, Literacy( as in Br x), III no. 146.
partly worn. High arched handle merging into Br 11.H . (total)5 .5 cm, (body)4 .5 cm; D. (max.) 6 cm
shoulder.T wo of originally three knob-shaped feet are (dented); Th. 0.4 cm; W 95 g. Conical/dome-shaped
preserved. Round hole slightly below top, set off to bell, now with dented mantle broken open on one
one side close to the handle. Surface corroded, green- side, part of wall missing. Offset thickened rim,
brown patina. consisting of two ridges. Of originally four knob-
Br 6. Inv. no. 2016. H. (total) 6.8 cm, (body) 4.9 cm; shaped feet one is preserved, one partly broken off.
D. 4.6 cm; Th. 0.3 cm; D. (hole) 0.35 cm; W. 145 g. Once arched handle with upturned ends, remains of
High dome-shaped bell. Offset base-rim with three which are preserved on one side of shoulder. Small
grooves. Three knob-shaped feet. High arched handle hole at the top now filled with corroded metal and
with upturned pointed ends. Hole in summit. Traces bronze-nail, which on the inside holds a bronze
of corroded iron inside bell and near hole attest figure-of-eight-shaped wire to which another figure-
clapper. Green-brownp atina. of-eight shaped wire is linked which in turn holds
Br 7. Inv. no. 3279. H. (total) 7.7 cm, (body) 4 cm; D. short iron clapper (of squarish shape). Surface very
4-4 cm; Th. 0.4 cm; D. (hole) 0.25 cm; W 140 g. High corroded, dark green and brown patina.
dome-shaped bell. Offset, thickened, concave base- Br 12. Inv. no. 3280. H. (total) 5.2 cm, (body) 4.0 cm; D.
rim demarcated at top and bottom with small, 4.4 cm; Th. 0.4 cm; W 95 g. High conical/dome-shaped
diagonal incised lines. High arched handle with bell. Offset, thickened rim with central groove. Three
upturned pointed ends on shoulder. Three biconical relatively long feet. Hole at summit now filled with
feet. Flattened, drop-shaped iron clapper, now glued corroded iron; corroded iron on inside attests existence
to the inside (upside down?). Dark bronze patina. of iron clapper.G reen patina. Inscriptionc overingm ost
Inscription above base-rim, below handle: of wall: ANEEEKEKAAIKPATIAIAEANAIA(a bove,
Br 8. Inv. no. 2016. H. (total) 6.7 cm, (bodAyI). 4 cm; D. faint remains of further letters:A IA[IO]A I). Found in
3.8 cm; Th. 0.2 cm; D. (hole) 0.4 cm; W. 8o g. High 1924,a pparentlyi n trialt renchW of portico.
conical/dome-shaped bell. Thickened concave rim, Published: JHS 44 (1924), 259 fig- 3; BSA 30
set off from body by groove. Four knob-shaped feet. (1928-30), 252 no. 5; A. Woodward, British School at
High arched handle with short upturned, curled Athens:E xcavationas t Sparta,1 924 (Pamphlet, autumn
ends attached to shoulder. Hole at summit. Slight 1924), ii fig. 7, P. 13; LGPNIIIA. 228.
traces of corrosion inside bell suggest presence of Br 13. Inv. no. 2030.67. H. (total) 3.1 cm, (body) 2.4
iron clapper. Green patina, some brown patches. cm; D. 2.6 cm; Th. 0.15-0.3 cm; D. (hole) 0.2 cm; W.
Inscribed in two rows in lower half of bell: 30 g. Conical bell with rounded top. Offset rim
FEIAANAAOANAIAIIANEOEKEP. robably fifth or consisting of two ridges, the upper one with small
early fourth century. Found in 1907. vertical incised lines. Three relatively large feet. Very
Published: BSA 24 (1919-21), 117-18 no. 66; CR 21 small round hole at top. Green and brown-reddish
(1907), 12; REG 21 (1908), 173; IG v. i. 1509; LGPJVIIIA. patina. Found in 1926.
185; Boring, Literacy( as in Br I), Iii no. 144. Br i4. H. (total body) 4.5 cm; D. 5.I cm; Th. 0.2-0.7
Br 9. H. (total) 3.5 cm, (body) 3.1 cm; D. 2.7 cm; Th. cm; D. (hole) 1.8 cm; W. 140 g. Dome-shaped bell.
0.3 cm; D. (hole) 0.15-0.2 cm; W. 30 g. High Offset convex rim. Probably once handle attached.
conical/dome-shaped bell. Offset thickened rim Large hole at top, irregularly shaped (broken out).
consisting of wide convex band bordered by two Surface very corroded, brown-green patina.
narrow ridges. Remains of arched handle with slightly Inscription very difficult to decipher, only letter
upturned ends attached to shoulder. Three knob- clearly visible is A. Hondius and Woodward suggest
230 ALEXANDRA VILLING
'AO]a[v]aLaLt 'xv4E[OEKc]b, ut letters are not W. io g. High conical/dome-shaped bell. Thin, high
decipherable. Found in 1907. arched handle on shoulder. Small hole at top (filled
BSA 24 (1919-2I), 118 no. 68 [not illustrated]; with corroded metal); running down from channel-
Boring, Literac(ya s in Br x), III no. 146. like groove (ending in another hole not pierced
Br 15. Inv. no. 3017. H. (total) 4.2 cm, (body) 2.3 cm; through ?). Traces of corroded iron inside attest
D. 2.3 cm; Th. 0.3-0.4 cm; D. (hole) 0.4 cm; W 40 g. existence of iron clapper. Green patina. Found 1924-7
Dome-shaped bell. Slightly convex offset rim. Integral (bell is marked 'Akrop.1 924-7').
thick, loop-shaped handle. Three feet. Hole of slightly Br 23. H. (total) 2.1 cm, (body) 1.4 cm; D. 1.8 cm;
irregular shape at top. Some traces of corroded metal Th. 0o.1-0.15 cm; D. (hole) 0.3 cm; W. io g. Bell of
on inside. Surface irregular,b ut well preserved, green- irregular truncated cone shape, with straight sides
brown patina. and flattened top. High arched handle merging into
Br 16. Inv. no. 2030.66. H. (total) 3.5 cm, (body) 2.0 shoulder. Irregularly shaped hole at top. Surface
cm; D. 1.8 cm; Th. 0.1-0.2 cm; D. (hole) 0.2 cm; W. 15 relatively well-preserved.
g. Dome-shaped bell. Offset rim demarcated from Br 24. H. (total)5 .2 cm, (body) 3.3 cm; D. 2.3 cm; Th.
body by deep groove. Three knob-shaped feet. High 0.2 cm (much corroded); W. 40 g. High truncated
arched handle attached to shoulder. Round hole at conical/dome-shaped bell. Large hole at top. Low
top. Found in 1926. arched handle topped by flat disk and small loop. In
Br 17. Inv. no. 2030.65. H. (total) 3.I1c m, (body) 1.6 hole, traces of wire with which clapper (now lost) was
cm; D. 1.8 cm; Th. o.15-0.3 cm; D. (hole) 0.3 cm; W. once attached. Apparently faint traces of horizontal
15 g. Dome-shaped bell. Offset rim, demarcated from incised lines around top and bottom edges of mantle.
body by groove. Thick high arched/loop-shaped Surface much corroded, green-brown patina. Found
handle on shoulder. Two of originally three feet are on acropolis summit in layer 'xiv black' in 1927.
preserved. Round hole at top. Some traces of Br 25. H. (total) 2.7 cm, (body) 2 cm; D. 2.8 cm; Th.
corrosion on inside walls. Dark green and brown- 0.2-0.3 cm; D. (holes) 0.2 cm; W. 20 g. Hemispherical
reddish patina. Found in 1926. bell with fairly thin walls. Knob-shaped (?) handle,
Br x8. Inv. no. 3017. H. (total) 2.8 cm, (body) 1.8 cm; partly broken off at top of bell. Two round holes on
D. 1.8 cm; Th. o.i cm; D. (hole) 0.3 cm; W. Io g. shoulder opposite each other beside handle, probably
Dome-shaped bell. Rim offset from body by groove. once served to hold wire to which clapper could be
Thick low arched handle merging into shoulders. attached, much corroded metal inside. Surface
Three feet. Round hole slightly below top, set slightly corroded, brown-greenp atina.
to one side. Surface well-preserved, green patina. Br 26. Inv. no. 2030.71. H. (total) 3.15 cm, (body) 2.9
Found in 1926. cm; D. 3.4 cm; Th. 0.05 cm; D. (hole) 0.23 cm; W 15
Br xg. Inv. no. 3283. H. (total) 3.4 cm, (body) 2.2 cm; g. Hemispherical/dome-shaped bell with half of the
D. 2.2 cm; Th. 0.2 cm; W. 20 g. Dome-shaped bell. wall crushed inwards. Heavily corroded thin, sheet-
Offset rim, demarcated from body by narrow ridge. like walls. Three flat feet integral to bell, one foot
Thick, low arched handle. Three knob-shaped feet. turned inwards. Small round hole at the top. Green
Hole at top. No traces of clapper. Green patina. and brown patina. Inscribed above rim: AEA. Found
Found in 1924-7. in 1926.
Br 20. Inv. no. 3283. H. (total) 3.2 cm, (body) 2.2 cm; Br 27. H. (total) 2.7 cm, (body) 2.1 cm; D. 1.9-3.4 cm;
D. 2.1 cm; Th. 0.2 cm; W. 25 g. Dome-shaped bell. W. Io g. Hemispherical bell with thin, sheet-like walls.
Thin, loop-shaped handle (very top broken off) at Walls much bent out of shape, broken into two parts,
summit. Offset rim, demarcated from body by groove now glued, sections of lower part and top missing.
(cut after casting). Three feet (squarisha nd flattened). Traces of small round hole at top appear to be visible.
Small hole at top, two larger holes opposite each other Two of originally three large, flat, rhomboid feet are
at shoulder level. Flat, rectangular but slightly preserved. Surface much corroded, green-brown
tapering corroded iron clapper now sticking to inside patina.
of wall. Dark bronze patina. Found in 1924-7. Br 28. H. (total) 2.3 cm, (body) 2 cm; D. 2.8 cm; Th.
Br 21. Inv. no. 2030.69. H. (total) 4-4 cm, (body) 3.2 0.1-o.15 cm; W 5 g. Hemispherical bell, top broken
cm; D. 2.75 cm; Th. 0.25-0.3 cm; D. large hole 0.5 off. Thin wall, rim offset by groove (only partly
cm; small hole 0.2 cm (both irregularlys haped);W 45 preserved). One of originally three flat feet is
g. High dome-shaped bell. Wall of irregulart hickness. preserved, bent inwards, one is partly preserved.
Pointed arched handle on shoulder. Hole in shoulder Surface corroded.
at one end of handle; smaller hole at opposite side. Br 29. Inv. no. 3018.4. H. (total) 2 cm, (body) 1.7 cm;
Green and brown patina. Found in I926. D. 3.6 cm; Th. o.1 cm; D. (hole) 0.2 cm; W. io g. Very
Br 22. Inv. no. 3283.5. H. (total) 2.7 cm, (body) 1.9 low, flattened hemispherical bell. Thin, sheet-like
cm; D. 1.4-1.7 cm; D. (hole) 0.2-0.3 cm; Th. o.I cm; walls, three low, flat, angular feet (possibly originally
FOR WHOM DID THE BELL TOLL IN ANCIENT GREECE? 231
Br 21 Br2 2 Br2 3
Br 24 Br 25
Br 27
Br 26
Br 29
Br 28
Br 30 Br 31
Br 32 Br 33 Br 34
FIG.5 . Bronze bells from the sanctuary of Athena on the Spartan acropolis. Sparta, Museum (scale i : 2).