DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4099#0092
RUINS OF AN ANCIENT CITY. 85
we might pass the night, we pursued our journey, passed by the
source of a clear spring, and came to two roads, the left leading to
Platanios, the other to Armiro. We crossed a spacious, but shallow,
stream, with a great expanse of sand about it, which shows that, at
times, it is very broad. This may be a continuation of the Am-
phryssos ; but, as it had been dark for some time, I could not ascer-
tain the course of the stream. In ten minutes from this river, we
arrived at Armiro, a large town, the capital of a province, situated
in a fertile vale, and varied with man)' different kinds of trees, par-
ticularly cypresses and platani, which grow in the streets, diffusing
around an agreeable and refreshing shade. This town, which, some
years ago, was nearly depopulated by the plague, has at present the
appearance of being half deserted. The Turks, who form the prin-
cipal part of the population, have four mosques. There are a few
imperfect traces in the town, indicating an ancient city, which some
have supposed to be Thebrc Phthioticae. After its capture by the
last Philip of Macedon, its name was changed to Philippopolis.'
Polybius says, that Skopion and Heliotropion were situated in its
vicinity, and that it was 300 stadia from Larissa.2
TO BOLO.
On the 30th we proceeded ; and, entering an oak forest, observed
several upright stones, which we were informed were the sepulchres
of those who died of the plague, some years ago, at Armiro. A
quarter pf an hour further, we remarked some ancient remains. An
hour from Armiro we .crossed a river, and saw a village named
Idris, to the left. We passed a village called Staikesi, with one
mosque; and, in two hours from Armiro, arrived at the ruins of a
city, now called Aias, which, from the similarity of the name, may
1 Polyb. b. 5. p. 438. Diodor. Sic. b. 26. c. 7.
' Pol)b. b. .5. p. 437. Livv calls it Thebx Phthiie and Tliebs Phthioticie.
we might pass the night, we pursued our journey, passed by the
source of a clear spring, and came to two roads, the left leading to
Platanios, the other to Armiro. We crossed a spacious, but shallow,
stream, with a great expanse of sand about it, which shows that, at
times, it is very broad. This may be a continuation of the Am-
phryssos ; but, as it had been dark for some time, I could not ascer-
tain the course of the stream. In ten minutes from this river, we
arrived at Armiro, a large town, the capital of a province, situated
in a fertile vale, and varied with man)' different kinds of trees, par-
ticularly cypresses and platani, which grow in the streets, diffusing
around an agreeable and refreshing shade. This town, which, some
years ago, was nearly depopulated by the plague, has at present the
appearance of being half deserted. The Turks, who form the prin-
cipal part of the population, have four mosques. There are a few
imperfect traces in the town, indicating an ancient city, which some
have supposed to be Thebrc Phthioticae. After its capture by the
last Philip of Macedon, its name was changed to Philippopolis.'
Polybius says, that Skopion and Heliotropion were situated in its
vicinity, and that it was 300 stadia from Larissa.2
TO BOLO.
On the 30th we proceeded ; and, entering an oak forest, observed
several upright stones, which we were informed were the sepulchres
of those who died of the plague, some years ago, at Armiro. A
quarter pf an hour further, we remarked some ancient remains. An
hour from Armiro we .crossed a river, and saw a village named
Idris, to the left. We passed a village called Staikesi, with one
mosque; and, in two hours from Armiro, arrived at the ruins of a
city, now called Aias, which, from the similarity of the name, may
1 Polyb. b. 5. p. 438. Diodor. Sic. b. 26. c. 7.
' Pol)b. b. .5. p. 437. Livv calls it Thebx Phthiie and Tliebs Phthioticie.