DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4324#0101
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CHAPTER IV.
LABRANDA.
The superb titles of Neokoroi, of Supreme Guardians and Directors of Asia, assumed by the votaries
of their tutelar deities with ostentation and triumph, were beheld with a jealous eye by those who,
under a different form of religious institution, were yet candidates for a like pre-eminence.
The temple, which is chosen for the subject of the present chapter, cannot boast so proud an
origin. Its magnificence, however, the choice and richness of the materials employed, together
with the inscriptions, with which the columns were decorated, might, as its founders appear to
have imagined, have secured its name and memorial to posterity. The style of the architecture, the
form of the inscriptions, the names and titles of the magistrates recorded, may possibly induce us to
fix the aera of its construction to the time of the Antonines. The freedom of the Grecian republics
would scarcely have allowed their magistrates so distinguished an honour; but the modesty of
more ancient times soon gave way to the arbitrary regulations of proconsular government.
Notwithstanding these advantages and helps which attend our enquiry, it must be confessed that
little can be collected relating to the antiquity of this building ; for even the name of the district,
in which it stands has been differently given by those travellers who have recently and attentively
visited the spot, and from whom alone any satisfactory illustration of the subject can be expected.
The several authorities are now given, that in a point of so much obscurity, the reader may be
furnished with every possible assistance, which the nature of the enquiry will admit. The account
which Dr. Chandler has given is as follows :
" On the way from Iasus to Mendelet, which is distant four hours, and three from Mylasa, we
left the level green; and riding northwards, through stubble of Turkish wheat, came in an hour
CHAPTER IV.
LABRANDA.
The superb titles of Neokoroi, of Supreme Guardians and Directors of Asia, assumed by the votaries
of their tutelar deities with ostentation and triumph, were beheld with a jealous eye by those who,
under a different form of religious institution, were yet candidates for a like pre-eminence.
The temple, which is chosen for the subject of the present chapter, cannot boast so proud an
origin. Its magnificence, however, the choice and richness of the materials employed, together
with the inscriptions, with which the columns were decorated, might, as its founders appear to
have imagined, have secured its name and memorial to posterity. The style of the architecture, the
form of the inscriptions, the names and titles of the magistrates recorded, may possibly induce us to
fix the aera of its construction to the time of the Antonines. The freedom of the Grecian republics
would scarcely have allowed their magistrates so distinguished an honour; but the modesty of
more ancient times soon gave way to the arbitrary regulations of proconsular government.
Notwithstanding these advantages and helps which attend our enquiry, it must be confessed that
little can be collected relating to the antiquity of this building ; for even the name of the district,
in which it stands has been differently given by those travellers who have recently and attentively
visited the spot, and from whom alone any satisfactory illustration of the subject can be expected.
The several authorities are now given, that in a point of so much obscurity, the reader may be
furnished with every possible assistance, which the nature of the enquiry will admit. The account
which Dr. Chandler has given is as follows :
" On the way from Iasus to Mendelet, which is distant four hours, and three from Mylasa, we
left the level green; and riding northwards, through stubble of Turkish wheat, came in an hour