DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4099#0086
RUINS OF AN ANCIENT CITY. 79
through the plain to the Maliac Gulf. Strabo1 mentions a river
called Acheloos, near Lamia. The neighbouring inhabitants were
denominated Paracheloitai. In a quarter of an hour from this place
we came to a rock called Niphi, the base of which is cut into steps.
We passed near a village named Megalo Brusi, or the great spring:
the water bubbles out of a rock, and finds its way to the sea. In
thirty-five minutes more, we crossed a small stream, called Mauro
Mandila; which, issuing from a rock, to the left of the road, enters
the plain. To our left was the village Akladi, and to the right those
of Kaprena and Palaio Pyrgo. AVe crossed two other streams,
when we came to some considerable traces and foundations, and
arrived at the village of Stilldi, the ruins still continuing. This place
is three hours from Zetoun, and is probably the ancient Phalara.
It stands upon a rising ground, at the foot of which is the sea, and
a good port. Livy2 says, that it was thickly inhabited, on account
of its excellent port. According to Strabo,3 Phalara was twenty
stadia by sea from the mouth of the Spercheios. Palmerius4 says,
it was the port of Lamia, from which it was distant fifty stadia.
Continuing our journey, we traversed some rich corn fields, and
in the course of forty-five minutes crossed six streams.
This copious supply of water contributes to enrich the soil, and
to decorate the surface with that smiling verdure that is seldom seen
in Greece. We ascended a hill to take a view of the Maliac Gulf;
on the opposite side of which, was seen the coast of the Hypokne-
midian Locrians, the pass of Thermopylae, and Mount Oeta, over-
topped by the distant Parnassos.3 More to the west was the Melian
plain, and the castle of Zetoun.6 Below was a rich valley, adorned
with many different kinds of trees, amongst which were some ex-
tremely large olives. On the foreground were a i'cw ancient traces.
We left this attractive spot with regret, and crossed two streams;
one of which merits the name of a river. We passed by a fountain,
* B. 9- P- 434. ' B. 27. c. SO. ' B. 9. p. *SS. ' Exercit. p. 322.
5 Bearing S. 75 W. " Bearing N. 70 W.
through the plain to the Maliac Gulf. Strabo1 mentions a river
called Acheloos, near Lamia. The neighbouring inhabitants were
denominated Paracheloitai. In a quarter of an hour from this place
we came to a rock called Niphi, the base of which is cut into steps.
We passed near a village named Megalo Brusi, or the great spring:
the water bubbles out of a rock, and finds its way to the sea. In
thirty-five minutes more, we crossed a small stream, called Mauro
Mandila; which, issuing from a rock, to the left of the road, enters
the plain. To our left was the village Akladi, and to the right those
of Kaprena and Palaio Pyrgo. AVe crossed two other streams,
when we came to some considerable traces and foundations, and
arrived at the village of Stilldi, the ruins still continuing. This place
is three hours from Zetoun, and is probably the ancient Phalara.
It stands upon a rising ground, at the foot of which is the sea, and
a good port. Livy2 says, that it was thickly inhabited, on account
of its excellent port. According to Strabo,3 Phalara was twenty
stadia by sea from the mouth of the Spercheios. Palmerius4 says,
it was the port of Lamia, from which it was distant fifty stadia.
Continuing our journey, we traversed some rich corn fields, and
in the course of forty-five minutes crossed six streams.
This copious supply of water contributes to enrich the soil, and
to decorate the surface with that smiling verdure that is seldom seen
in Greece. We ascended a hill to take a view of the Maliac Gulf;
on the opposite side of which, was seen the coast of the Hypokne-
midian Locrians, the pass of Thermopylae, and Mount Oeta, over-
topped by the distant Parnassos.3 More to the west was the Melian
plain, and the castle of Zetoun.6 Below was a rich valley, adorned
with many different kinds of trees, amongst which were some ex-
tremely large olives. On the foreground were a i'cw ancient traces.
We left this attractive spot with regret, and crossed two streams;
one of which merits the name of a river. We passed by a fountain,
* B. 9- P- 434. ' B. 27. c. SO. ' B. 9. p. *SS. ' Exercit. p. 322.
5 Bearing S. 75 W. " Bearing N. 70 W.