DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4098#0455
ACADEMY. 411
have experienced the same overwhelming destiny, and mouldered
into dust.
More to the west, on the southern side of the Ilissos, is a small
church on a rock. Some traces mark the site of an ancient building.
The position of the Academy is occupied by some gardens and
olive groves, about two miles to the north-west of the modern town. It
was six1 stadia from the ancient city ; and the way which conducted
to it was ornamented with the tombs and monuments of the greatest
men of Athens; of which Pausanias2 gives an interesting account.
In the intermediate plain, between the ancient walls and the site of
the Academy, several fine fragments of sculpture and architecture
have been discovered, with some interesting palseographical remains,
and several sepulchres containing vases of terra cotta, exquisitely
beautiful, and in the highest state of preservation. A Greek and
Phoenician inscription upon a sepulchral stele was found near the
spot, which has been learnedly explained by the late much-lamented
Mr. Akerblad,3 to whose kindness I am indebted for the drawing
which is here given of it.
The Ccphissos, which fertilizes the soil, and refreshes the verdure of
this retired spot, passes through the grove in a rapid and circuitous
course. It is generally not above six feet in breadth, and is divided
into several channels, like the Pleistos below Delphi, in order to irri-
gate the olives. It is crossed by a small modern bridge of two arches.
The beauty of the place is increased by a variety of trees, particu-
larly the weeping willow, the poplar, the walnut, and the olive. The
gardens are stocked with large orange and lemon trees, and pome-
granates, almonds, figs, and various other fruits; which, from the
abundance of the water, and the fertility of the soil, arrive at
great size and perfection.
1 Cicero. Epist. 2 B. I.e. 29.
3 This profound and celebrated scholar died at Rome, on the 7th of February, 1819; his
loss is most severely felt by the literary world, and more particularly so by those who had the
advantage of his personal acquaintance.
3 g 2
have experienced the same overwhelming destiny, and mouldered
into dust.
More to the west, on the southern side of the Ilissos, is a small
church on a rock. Some traces mark the site of an ancient building.
The position of the Academy is occupied by some gardens and
olive groves, about two miles to the north-west of the modern town. It
was six1 stadia from the ancient city ; and the way which conducted
to it was ornamented with the tombs and monuments of the greatest
men of Athens; of which Pausanias2 gives an interesting account.
In the intermediate plain, between the ancient walls and the site of
the Academy, several fine fragments of sculpture and architecture
have been discovered, with some interesting palseographical remains,
and several sepulchres containing vases of terra cotta, exquisitely
beautiful, and in the highest state of preservation. A Greek and
Phoenician inscription upon a sepulchral stele was found near the
spot, which has been learnedly explained by the late much-lamented
Mr. Akerblad,3 to whose kindness I am indebted for the drawing
which is here given of it.
The Ccphissos, which fertilizes the soil, and refreshes the verdure of
this retired spot, passes through the grove in a rapid and circuitous
course. It is generally not above six feet in breadth, and is divided
into several channels, like the Pleistos below Delphi, in order to irri-
gate the olives. It is crossed by a small modern bridge of two arches.
The beauty of the place is increased by a variety of trees, particu-
larly the weeping willow, the poplar, the walnut, and the olive. The
gardens are stocked with large orange and lemon trees, and pome-
granates, almonds, figs, and various other fruits; which, from the
abundance of the water, and the fertility of the soil, arrive at
great size and perfection.
1 Cicero. Epist. 2 B. I.e. 29.
3 This profound and celebrated scholar died at Rome, on the 7th of February, 1819; his
loss is most severely felt by the literary world, and more particularly so by those who had the
advantage of his personal acquaintance.
3 g 2