The palaces of Crete and their builders . sation north-ward is well known. The important fact is that the palaceof Knossos has four entrances corresponding to the cardinalpoints, and the same arrangement is observed in the palace ofPhasstos. This orientation and the regular disposition of the apartments,which are all at right angles, establishes a resemblance betweenthe terramare, the pile dwellings, and the fortified camps of theRoman legions with the Cretan palaces. Whatever may be theview of the archaeologists, the agreement between buildings sofar apart and so remote in point of time is ve
The palaces of Crete and their builders . sation north-ward is well known. The important fact is that the palaceof Knossos has four entrances corresponding to the cardinalpoints, and the same arrangement is observed in the palace ofPhasstos. This orientation and the regular disposition of the apartments,which are all at right angles, establishes a resemblance betweenthe terramare, the pile dwellings, and the fortified camps of theRoman legions with the Cretan palaces. Whatever may be theview of the archaeologists, the agreement between buildings sofar apart and so remote in point of time is very suggestive,and a comparison should be fertile in results. ^ Brizio, Monumenti Antichi, R. Accademia del Lincei, vol. i. p. 250.^ Pigorini, Terramara di Castellazzo Fontanellato, Notizie degli Scavi,Lincei, 1895. I20 PALACES OF CRETE AXD THEIR BUILDERS V. On entering the central court I walked round the chamberson the northern side, and visited the rooms which served for theguard and some others, where many frescoes, now removed to the. FIG. 53.—THE THROXE OF MIXOS. Museum at Candia, were found. Among the great blocks ofgypsum there are lying on the ground broad limestone slabs withpink and darker-coloured veins. The slabs of alabaster withwhich the walls were faced are taller than a man, and it is onlyjust possible to touch the edges with arms outstretched to the THE PALACE OF KNOSSOS 121 utmost. But the rain is destroying them rapidly, as may be seenby the vertical channels by which the water from the upperfloors runs ofF. The Pentelic marble is fine, the veins are,however, too regular and parallel, but the light transparencyof the ivory-coloured alabaster renders it a decorative material ofgreat charm. The impression produced by the court is imposing,^and its chiet attraction is the throne-room, which is to the right ofthe northern entrance. A few steps lead down to the ante-chamber, which is surrounded by alabaster benches, and in themidst is a great basin of red limest
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