ing of the barrow of Hector (_Il._ xxiv.)
brings vividly before us the scene so often suggested by the examination of
the tumuli of prehistoric times. During nine days wood was collected and
brought, in carts drawn by oxen, to the site of the funeral pyre. Then the
pyre was built and the body laid upon it. After burning for twenty-four
hours the smouldering embers were extinguished with libations of wine. The
white and calcined bones were then picked out of the ashes by the friends
and placed in a metallic urn, which was deposited in a hollow grave or cist
and covered over with large well-fitting stones. Finally, a barrow of great
magnitude was heaped over the remains and the funeral feast was celebrated.
The obsequies of Achilles, as described in the _Odyssey_, were also
celebrated with details which are strikingly similar to those observed in
tumuli both of the Bronze and Iron Ages. The body was brought to the pile
in an embroidered robe and jars of unguents and honey were placed beside
it. Sheep and oxen were slaughtered at the pile. The incinerated bones were
collected from the ashes and placed in a golden urn along with those of
Patroclus, Achilles's dearest friend. Over the remains a great and shapely
mound was raised on the high headland, so that it might be seen from afar
by future generations of men.

Herodotus, describing the funeral customs of the Scythians, states that, on
the death of a chief, the body was placed upon a couch in a chamber sunk in
the earth and covered with timber, in which were deposited all things
needful for the comfort of the deceased in the other world. One of his
wives was strangled and laid beside him, his cup-bearer and other
attendants, his charioteer and his horses were killed and placed in the
tomb, which was then filled up with earth and an enormous mound raised high
over all. The barrows which cover the plains of ancient Scythia attest the
truth of this description. A Siberian barrow, described by Demidov,
contained three contiguous chambers of unhewn stone. In the central chamber
lay the skeleton of the ancient chief, with his sword, his spear, his bow
and a quiver full of arrows. The skeleton reclined upon a sheet of pure
gold, extending the whole length of the body, which had been wrapped in a
mantle broidered with gold and studded with precious stones. Over it was
extended another sheet of pure gold. In a smaller chamber at the chief's
head lay the skeleton of a female, richly