Sanskrit Literature

The Sanskrit is the language of the ancient Hindoos: it is not now spoken, and is understood only by the Brahmins, and by scholars who have made special study of it.

It was the opening up of this tongue to the knowledge of European scholars at the close of the last century, that led to the grouping of all the languages of Europe under the Aryan family.

It was found that Sanskrit, both in its words and grammar, bore a remarkable likeness to the Greek, Latin, German, Celtic, and Slavonic languages; and though Sanskrit is not regarded as the parent of these dialects, it is looked upon as the language nearest to the original speech of the undivided Aryans.

Among the oldest writings in this language are the Vedas, which are believed to be as old as 2000 B.C. They form part of the sacred books of the Brahminic religion.

In addition to the Vedas, the Hindoos possess a very extensive literature in both prose and poetry. A large number of these works have been translated by modern scholars.

147. CHORAGIC MONUMENTS. (Called Choragic from Choragus, a chorus-leader.)

These monuments were memorials erected by private persons in honor of a victory obtained by them in public musical contests.

The motive of the design in these buildings was to obtain a support for the tripod, which had been received as the reward of victory, and which, in the true Greek spirit, was to be placed in public view as a consecrated gift.

For this purpose, either a column was used, the capital of which supported the Tripod, or a more extensive substructure was formed for it.

The richest and most beautiful of these monuments is that of Lysicrates, erected in honor of a victory obtained in the year 334 B.C.: also may be named the so-called "Tower of the Winds," or the "Lantern of Diogenes."

On one of the streets of Athens there were so many of these monuments, that it was called the "Street of the Tripods."