AR'UNDEL MARBLES, part of a collection of ancient sculptures, formed about the beginning of the 17th c. by Thomas Howard. earl of Arundel. and presented in 1667 to the university of Oxford, by his grandson, Henry Howard,. afterwardsduke of Norfolk.
The principal portion of it Is the "Parian chronicle," consisting of the fragments of an inscription in marble, supposed to have been executed in the island of Pares, about 263 mc. In its perfect state, this inscription contained a chronological table of the principal events in Grecian history from the time of Cecrops (1582 D. C.) to the archonship of Ding netus (204 n.c.). The chronicle of the last 90 years is lost, and the extant portion of the inscription is much corroded and defaced. This curious and interesting monument, the authenticity of which has been questioned and vindicated with almost equal ingenuity and learning, was purchased for the earl of Arundel, along with many other relics of antiquity, at Smyrna, by Mr. (afterwards Sir William) Petty. The inscription, and all the other principal sculptures in the Oxford collection, are to be found fully illustrated in the relative publications of Selden, Prideaux, Maittaire, and Chandler, under the various titles of Marmora Arundelliana and M. aconientria.
The nobleman whose name is associated with these ancient marbles is worthy of remembrance, independently of his general merits, as the first of his order in England who liberally encouraged the flue arts, and communicated the influence of his own taste and enthusiasm in their cultivation to a wide circle of imitators and successors. Among the scholars and artists on whom his liberal patronage was specially bestowed, were Francis Junius, the younger (his librarian), and Oughtred, the mathematician; Wences laus Holler, the engraver, whom he &ought over to England; Vandyck and Inigo Jones, and the sculptors Stone, Le Sceur, and Fanelli. His collection of works of art•, for the supply of which, from the treasures of antiquity, he engaged the services of two distin guished men of letters, Evelyn and Petty, rivaled the galleries of princes. After his death, it was unfortunately dispersed, and many of his choicest treasures were forever lost sight of. His collection of sculpture alone, when entire, numbered 37 statues, 128 busts, and 250 inscribed marbles, besides altars, sarcophagi, fragments, and gems.