Author Description

"Studies in Herodotus" deals with statements of Herodotus in connection with the inscription on the Serpent-Column of Delphi and its counterpart at Olympia. The other studies covered are on "Herodotus, and the Greek Forces at Salamis and Plataea", and "The Battle of Salamis". * * * * * An excerpt from the beginning of Part I: THE INSCRIPTION ON THE SERPENT-COLUMN OF DELPHPAND ITS COUNTERPART AT OLYMPIA. No satisfactory explanation has yet been given of the order in which the Greek states stand upon the celebrated monument dedicated at Delphi from the spoils of the battle of Platsea. As is well known, the monument consisted of a golden tripod, standing upon a bronze column of three intertwining serpents. The inscription begins upon the thirteenth coil from the base, and the names stand in a single column, three upon each coil, with the exception of the fourth and seventh, upon which there are four, and the third, which has but two. The names of the Tenians and Siphnians, which stand fourth upon the seventh and fourth coils respectively, are very badly written and it is admitted that they are later insertions.