DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1519#0023
[2 TEMPLE OF JUPITER PANHELLENIUS AT /EGINA.
an eminence, and surrounded by such scenery, we at once admit the fitness of those sturdy and stern proportions,
both of the parts and of the whole, so much in accordance with the nature of the site, but so lamentably ineffective
in a less conspicuous situation, or when placed in the midst of a crowded metropolis, and on a level with the
public streets.*
The Greeks themselves were so sensible of this fact, that we find different proportions generally adopted
when the temple was placed on a plain or in a city, as at the Temple in the city described in the last
chapter, at Nemea, in the city of Athens, in the instance of the Portico of Augustus. Generally too, we may be
permitted to remark, that architects have adapted a low and horizontal system of architecture to a lofty country,
and a perpendicular and aspiring system to a level and flat district, as if convinced of the inefficacy of all attempts
at loftiness amidst the wonders of mountain scenery, and seeking rather by the regularity of art and succession
of horizontal lines, to present a contrast to those rugged irregularities of nature. Only in the plain, where nature
presents no such contrasts, we may indulge all our ambition of loftiness with some hope of effect. Thus we see
throughout Greece'and in Egypt, enclosed within rocks and mountains, the horizontal temple prevailing, and in
the plains of Assyria the Tower of Babel, and in the Low Countries the lofty Gothic spire.
The Temple of which these pages treat, was conspicuously seen from the entrance of the Saronic Gulf, and
from the whole range of the coasts of Attica and Argolis ; and when its polished and colored front was lighted
by the sun, it must have been a landmark useful as well as joyfully hailed by the iEginetan mariner on his
homeward voyage, as he directed his course amidst the rocks and shoals by which the island was surrounded, and
which were placed there by iEacus himself, according to popular belief, for the defence of his favourite abode.
Pausanias, who visited iEgina about a.d. 170, is the earliest writer who cites this story.f He mentions the
Temple of Jupiter Panhellenius with the same brevity which he is accustomed to adopt when speaking on
subjects of universal notoriety: "In going to the Hill of Panhellenian Jove," says Pausanias, "you find the
Temple of Apheea, to whom Pindar wrote a Hymn for the iEginetas. The Panhellenian Hill has nothing on it
remarkable but the Temple of Zeus, called by this name ; they say that iEacus built it."
We have already seen that this small island consists partly of a plain, and partly of a mountainous district.
The term " Oros," " the Hill," is still applied to the highest peak which rises from the eastern side, near the
southern extremity of the island. It is, however, not here, but upon one of the most elevated of these peaks of
the mountainous ridge which runs along the north, called Mount OEa, that the Temple is situated. Although the
words of Pausanias do not contain in themselves any exact description of the remains as at present existing
(inasmuch as the extent of the Panhellenian mount is not defined), yet their position, unquestionably upon some
part of the mount, their intrinsic importance, and the character of the architecture so entirely corresponding with
the expectations of travellers, have left no doubt upon the minds of the best-informed travellers, such as
Chandler, Leake, and others, as to their identity with the Temple of Zeus, so slightly touched upon by Pausanias.
A contrary opinion has, however, been maintained by some, who identify the existing remains with the Temple
of Minerva, incidentally cited by Herodotus,J and the mount of Panhellenian Jove with the peak at the southern
extremity of the island. But against this view we have to object, that no remains of a corresponding character
are to be found on " Oros," either on the summit, now occupied by the little chapel of St. Elias, for which indeed
there is barely space—or on its sides, which, on the south especially, afford no sufficient platform for the reception
of such an edifice.
At the ruined monastery of St. Nicolas, just below the peak to the north, some fragments of a small temple
are still existing, which by some inscriptions found near would seem to have been dedicated to Hebe.
Furthermore, the essential evidence of extensive remains is totally wanting to support that opinion ; and it may
be added with deference to contrary opinions, that there is no example in Greece of a temple of great resort
being placed on the top of a precipitous peak. Compared with the Temple of Jupiter in other countries and of
more recent date, the iEginetan temple was certainly small in its dimensions; but at the same time the
character of the architecture in the order and the distribution of its plan, was probably the most magnificent used
at that time in Greece, and entirely corresponds with the majesty of the deity to whom it was dedicated. It
* We may be permitted to remind the reader that " templum " (originally tuemplura) is derived from " tueor," to contemplate, and is
applied to any lofty object, such as the different regions of the sky. Thus Lucretius writes (Rerum Nat. ii. 8, 9),—
" Templa serena,
Despicere unde qucas alios."
f Hook ii. ch. 29. 6 \ Hook iii. ch. 59.
an eminence, and surrounded by such scenery, we at once admit the fitness of those sturdy and stern proportions,
both of the parts and of the whole, so much in accordance with the nature of the site, but so lamentably ineffective
in a less conspicuous situation, or when placed in the midst of a crowded metropolis, and on a level with the
public streets.*
The Greeks themselves were so sensible of this fact, that we find different proportions generally adopted
when the temple was placed on a plain or in a city, as at the Temple in the city described in the last
chapter, at Nemea, in the city of Athens, in the instance of the Portico of Augustus. Generally too, we may be
permitted to remark, that architects have adapted a low and horizontal system of architecture to a lofty country,
and a perpendicular and aspiring system to a level and flat district, as if convinced of the inefficacy of all attempts
at loftiness amidst the wonders of mountain scenery, and seeking rather by the regularity of art and succession
of horizontal lines, to present a contrast to those rugged irregularities of nature. Only in the plain, where nature
presents no such contrasts, we may indulge all our ambition of loftiness with some hope of effect. Thus we see
throughout Greece'and in Egypt, enclosed within rocks and mountains, the horizontal temple prevailing, and in
the plains of Assyria the Tower of Babel, and in the Low Countries the lofty Gothic spire.
The Temple of which these pages treat, was conspicuously seen from the entrance of the Saronic Gulf, and
from the whole range of the coasts of Attica and Argolis ; and when its polished and colored front was lighted
by the sun, it must have been a landmark useful as well as joyfully hailed by the iEginetan mariner on his
homeward voyage, as he directed his course amidst the rocks and shoals by which the island was surrounded, and
which were placed there by iEacus himself, according to popular belief, for the defence of his favourite abode.
Pausanias, who visited iEgina about a.d. 170, is the earliest writer who cites this story.f He mentions the
Temple of Jupiter Panhellenius with the same brevity which he is accustomed to adopt when speaking on
subjects of universal notoriety: "In going to the Hill of Panhellenian Jove," says Pausanias, "you find the
Temple of Apheea, to whom Pindar wrote a Hymn for the iEginetas. The Panhellenian Hill has nothing on it
remarkable but the Temple of Zeus, called by this name ; they say that iEacus built it."
We have already seen that this small island consists partly of a plain, and partly of a mountainous district.
The term " Oros," " the Hill," is still applied to the highest peak which rises from the eastern side, near the
southern extremity of the island. It is, however, not here, but upon one of the most elevated of these peaks of
the mountainous ridge which runs along the north, called Mount OEa, that the Temple is situated. Although the
words of Pausanias do not contain in themselves any exact description of the remains as at present existing
(inasmuch as the extent of the Panhellenian mount is not defined), yet their position, unquestionably upon some
part of the mount, their intrinsic importance, and the character of the architecture so entirely corresponding with
the expectations of travellers, have left no doubt upon the minds of the best-informed travellers, such as
Chandler, Leake, and others, as to their identity with the Temple of Zeus, so slightly touched upon by Pausanias.
A contrary opinion has, however, been maintained by some, who identify the existing remains with the Temple
of Minerva, incidentally cited by Herodotus,J and the mount of Panhellenian Jove with the peak at the southern
extremity of the island. But against this view we have to object, that no remains of a corresponding character
are to be found on " Oros," either on the summit, now occupied by the little chapel of St. Elias, for which indeed
there is barely space—or on its sides, which, on the south especially, afford no sufficient platform for the reception
of such an edifice.
At the ruined monastery of St. Nicolas, just below the peak to the north, some fragments of a small temple
are still existing, which by some inscriptions found near would seem to have been dedicated to Hebe.
Furthermore, the essential evidence of extensive remains is totally wanting to support that opinion ; and it may
be added with deference to contrary opinions, that there is no example in Greece of a temple of great resort
being placed on the top of a precipitous peak. Compared with the Temple of Jupiter in other countries and of
more recent date, the iEginetan temple was certainly small in its dimensions; but at the same time the
character of the architecture in the order and the distribution of its plan, was probably the most magnificent used
at that time in Greece, and entirely corresponds with the majesty of the deity to whom it was dedicated. It
* We may be permitted to remind the reader that " templum " (originally tuemplura) is derived from " tueor," to contemplate, and is
applied to any lofty object, such as the different regions of the sky. Thus Lucretius writes (Rerum Nat. ii. 8, 9),—
" Templa serena,
Despicere unde qucas alios."
f Hook ii. ch. 29. 6 \ Hook iii. ch. 59.