DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4098#0466
PORT PIR^US. 421
triple port by Cornelius Nepos,1 alluding to the three smaller ones
of Aphrodision,2 Kantharos,3 and Zea,4 which are within its basin.
It is of circular form, almost as broad as it is long, and nearly two
miles round, deep and even throughout, affording good anchorage,
and shelter from the winds. The mouth is shallow in some parts;
and the entrance of the harbour is marked by two pointed rocks.
The opposite promontories of Alkimos and Eetioneia, form the
natural entrance ; the first on the right hand, the latter on the
left. From each of these points, some strong foundations run into
the sea, and form the %ijXa< or claws of the port, as Diodorus5 terms
them, or the horns, as they are denominated by Cicero.
The foundations of a round tower are seen at Alkimos.
Thucydides6 informs us, that the Athenians built a wall at Eetio-
neia; which, together with that which already existed on the opposite
side, was constructed in such a manner, that very few men, being
stationed within them, could prevent ships from entering. He7 also
says, that the mouth of the Piraeus was occasionally barricaded with
chains. But at present the total want of trade constitutes as effectual
an obstruction as the chains of the ancients. The silence of the
tomb, and the desolation of the desert, have succeeded to " the busy
hum of men," to the vivid activity of commercial pursuit, and to
the varied industry of an animated population.
This celebrated emporium, which was once crowded with vessels
bearing the produce of Asia, Africa, and Europe, which was equal
to Athens in dignity, and superior in utility,8 has sometimes not a
single boat within its port!
We are informed by Strabo,9 that the arsenal of Philo was capable
1 Life of Themistocles. s From a neighbouring temple of Venus.
3 Scholiast. Aristoph. in Equit. v. 327. * Ibid, and Hesych. in voce trupauvQ.
5 B. IS. 6B. 8. c. 90. IB. 2. c. 94.
8 Thucyd, b. I.e. 93. and Corn. Nepos. Life of Themistocles. 9 B. 9. p. 395.
triple port by Cornelius Nepos,1 alluding to the three smaller ones
of Aphrodision,2 Kantharos,3 and Zea,4 which are within its basin.
It is of circular form, almost as broad as it is long, and nearly two
miles round, deep and even throughout, affording good anchorage,
and shelter from the winds. The mouth is shallow in some parts;
and the entrance of the harbour is marked by two pointed rocks.
The opposite promontories of Alkimos and Eetioneia, form the
natural entrance ; the first on the right hand, the latter on the
left. From each of these points, some strong foundations run into
the sea, and form the %ijXa< or claws of the port, as Diodorus5 terms
them, or the horns, as they are denominated by Cicero.
The foundations of a round tower are seen at Alkimos.
Thucydides6 informs us, that the Athenians built a wall at Eetio-
neia; which, together with that which already existed on the opposite
side, was constructed in such a manner, that very few men, being
stationed within them, could prevent ships from entering. He7 also
says, that the mouth of the Piraeus was occasionally barricaded with
chains. But at present the total want of trade constitutes as effectual
an obstruction as the chains of the ancients. The silence of the
tomb, and the desolation of the desert, have succeeded to " the busy
hum of men," to the vivid activity of commercial pursuit, and to
the varied industry of an animated population.
This celebrated emporium, which was once crowded with vessels
bearing the produce of Asia, Africa, and Europe, which was equal
to Athens in dignity, and superior in utility,8 has sometimes not a
single boat within its port!
We are informed by Strabo,9 that the arsenal of Philo was capable
1 Life of Themistocles. s From a neighbouring temple of Venus.
3 Scholiast. Aristoph. in Equit. v. 327. * Ibid, and Hesych. in voce trupauvQ.
5 B. IS. 6B. 8. c. 90. IB. 2. c. 94.
8 Thucyd, b. I.e. 93. and Corn. Nepos. Life of Themistocles. 9 B. 9. p. 395.