DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.748#0068
INVESTIGATIONS AT ASSOS, 1881. 53
are also indicated in their full height, upon the south, by the
section Plate 5-
Naturally steep upon all sides, and rendered still more
secure by a judicious scarping of the rock, the summit be-
came wholly impregnable by the construction of enclosing
walls. The limited circuit was easily to be defended, while
the enclosed area was still of sufficient extent to accom-
modate an adequate garrison. A fissure in the rock of
the lower step forms a natural well, and the supply of water
was still further assured by the excavation of deep cis-
terns at this point. It was with truth that Strabo1 re-
marked that Nature and Art had united to make Assos
a stronghold.
The view from the Acropolis is magnificent. At the north,
beyond the Turkish village, the land descends rapidly to the
alluvial plain formed by the Satnioeis. The river emerges
from a rugged and confined gorge, and, winding through the
green fields, is lost to sight in the dense oak forests of its
lower course. The great volcanic plateau, which separates
the stream from the sea, extends to the west, rising above
Lecton to a height even greater than that of the isolated cra-
ter of Assos. At the south, occupying nearly half of the
horizon, lies the Gulf of Adramyttion, stretching from the
little port, in the extreme inner nook, which bears its name,
to the open iEgean, north of Cape Sigrion. Beyond this
narrow channel is " the noble and pleasant island " of Lesbos,
the pearl of ^Eolic lands. At the foot of Lepethymnus the
promontory and citadel of Methymna is relieved against
the majestic mountain which glows with constantly changing
light and color, as the seasons of the year and the hours of
the day advance. In the far distance, directly south of Assos,
rises the peak of the Mytilenian Olympus. At the east tower
1 Strabo, xiii. 610.
are also indicated in their full height, upon the south, by the
section Plate 5-
Naturally steep upon all sides, and rendered still more
secure by a judicious scarping of the rock, the summit be-
came wholly impregnable by the construction of enclosing
walls. The limited circuit was easily to be defended, while
the enclosed area was still of sufficient extent to accom-
modate an adequate garrison. A fissure in the rock of
the lower step forms a natural well, and the supply of water
was still further assured by the excavation of deep cis-
terns at this point. It was with truth that Strabo1 re-
marked that Nature and Art had united to make Assos
a stronghold.
The view from the Acropolis is magnificent. At the north,
beyond the Turkish village, the land descends rapidly to the
alluvial plain formed by the Satnioeis. The river emerges
from a rugged and confined gorge, and, winding through the
green fields, is lost to sight in the dense oak forests of its
lower course. The great volcanic plateau, which separates
the stream from the sea, extends to the west, rising above
Lecton to a height even greater than that of the isolated cra-
ter of Assos. At the south, occupying nearly half of the
horizon, lies the Gulf of Adramyttion, stretching from the
little port, in the extreme inner nook, which bears its name,
to the open iEgean, north of Cape Sigrion. Beyond this
narrow channel is " the noble and pleasant island " of Lesbos,
the pearl of ^Eolic lands. At the foot of Lepethymnus the
promontory and citadel of Methymna is relieved against
the majestic mountain which glows with constantly changing
light and color, as the seasons of the year and the hours of
the day advance. In the far distance, directly south of Assos,
rises the peak of the Mytilenian Olympus. At the east tower
1 Strabo, xiii. 610.