DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4324#0033
.//V.'Wr. ,/.'/.
CHAPTER II.
PRIENE.
Priene was situated on the south side of a mountain called Mycale. It now commands an
extensive view over a fine plain intersected by a winding water-course approaching near to the
walls, and by the river Maeander.
The alteration in the topography of this tract, gradually produced in a long series of time, will
be alluded to in the description of the plain of the Maeander. At present, therefore, we shall remark
only in general, that Priene, though now seen as an inland city, was once on the sea, and had two
ports ; the plain between it and Miletus was a large bay ; and the Maeander, which now prolongs
its course much beyond, once glided smoothly* into it.
These changes are so great as to bewilder and perplex the traveller, unless he is in possession
of a clue, and may be assigned as the probable reason why so remarkable a portion of ancient
Ionia is at present so little visited or known; the only tour through this tract, as yet given to the
public, being that which was undertaken in 1673, by certain English merchants from Smyrna.t
It would be ungenerous to censure this journey as superficial and unsatisfactory, while it merits
so much applause for the liberal design and communicative spirit of the party, which thus opened
as it were a way, although hitherto almost unfrequented, for the benefit of future inquirers.
* Lenis illabitur mari. Plin. L. v. c. 29.
*f- Published by Wheler in 1082, as also by Spon.
CHAPTER II.
PRIENE.
Priene was situated on the south side of a mountain called Mycale. It now commands an
extensive view over a fine plain intersected by a winding water-course approaching near to the
walls, and by the river Maeander.
The alteration in the topography of this tract, gradually produced in a long series of time, will
be alluded to in the description of the plain of the Maeander. At present, therefore, we shall remark
only in general, that Priene, though now seen as an inland city, was once on the sea, and had two
ports ; the plain between it and Miletus was a large bay ; and the Maeander, which now prolongs
its course much beyond, once glided smoothly* into it.
These changes are so great as to bewilder and perplex the traveller, unless he is in possession
of a clue, and may be assigned as the probable reason why so remarkable a portion of ancient
Ionia is at present so little visited or known; the only tour through this tract, as yet given to the
public, being that which was undertaken in 1673, by certain English merchants from Smyrna.t
It would be ungenerous to censure this journey as superficial and unsatisfactory, while it merits
so much applause for the liberal design and communicative spirit of the party, which thus opened
as it were a way, although hitherto almost unfrequented, for the benefit of future inquirers.
* Lenis illabitur mari. Plin. L. v. c. 29.
*f- Published by Wheler in 1082, as also by Spon.