DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4099#0128
THE VALE OF TEMPE. 117
The account of iElian1 is still more beautiful, and more in
unison with the exquisite beauty of the spot which he describes.
But as the original is too diffuse for insertion, the reader will excuse
me for presenting it to him in an English version. He says, that
" Tempe is between Olympos and Ossa, mountains of prodigious
height, separated from each other by divine agency. The interme-
diate vale is forty stadia in length, and, in some parts, a plethron in
breadth, and in others more. The Peneios flows through the valley,
and is engrossed by the confluence of other rivers. This place is
varied with many beautiful recesses ; not the works of art, but of
spontaneous nature, whose embellishments appear to have been stu-
diously lavished on this favoured spot; for copious and thick ivy,2
like the spreading vine, twines up the highest trees, while the rocks
are shaded by abundant verdure,5 refreshing to the eye. Within
the vale are many forests and retired spots; which, in the heat of
summer, refresh and alleviate the wearied traveller. Frequent rivu-
lets and springs, of the best and coolest water, strengthen those who
bathe in them. The birds, on all sides, sing the whole day long,
with the sweetest melody, soothing the way-worn stranger as he
travels through the vale. On each side of the river are sweet and
solitary spots ; the slow and sluggish Peneios flows through the vale
as smooth as oil. The thick foliage of the trees, with their wide
spreading branches, protect from the fury of the sun those who
navigate the river. The neighbouring people here assemble, per-
forming sacrifices, and indulging in conviviality ; and the traveller is
greeted with the grateful odour of frequent victims."
1 Var. Hist. b. 3.c. 1. * Ki77o*.
' It is 2ftiAa£ in the original, which is supposed to be the Yew; but, as this tree does not
grow in Thessalv, I have substituted the general term of verdure.
The account of iElian1 is still more beautiful, and more in
unison with the exquisite beauty of the spot which he describes.
But as the original is too diffuse for insertion, the reader will excuse
me for presenting it to him in an English version. He says, that
" Tempe is between Olympos and Ossa, mountains of prodigious
height, separated from each other by divine agency. The interme-
diate vale is forty stadia in length, and, in some parts, a plethron in
breadth, and in others more. The Peneios flows through the valley,
and is engrossed by the confluence of other rivers. This place is
varied with many beautiful recesses ; not the works of art, but of
spontaneous nature, whose embellishments appear to have been stu-
diously lavished on this favoured spot; for copious and thick ivy,2
like the spreading vine, twines up the highest trees, while the rocks
are shaded by abundant verdure,5 refreshing to the eye. Within
the vale are many forests and retired spots; which, in the heat of
summer, refresh and alleviate the wearied traveller. Frequent rivu-
lets and springs, of the best and coolest water, strengthen those who
bathe in them. The birds, on all sides, sing the whole day long,
with the sweetest melody, soothing the way-worn stranger as he
travels through the vale. On each side of the river are sweet and
solitary spots ; the slow and sluggish Peneios flows through the vale
as smooth as oil. The thick foliage of the trees, with their wide
spreading branches, protect from the fury of the sun those who
navigate the river. The neighbouring people here assemble, per-
forming sacrifices, and indulging in conviviality ; and the traveller is
greeted with the grateful odour of frequent victims."
1 Var. Hist. b. 3.c. 1. * Ki77o*.
' It is 2ftiAa£ in the original, which is supposed to be the Yew; but, as this tree does not
grow in Thessalv, I have substituted the general term of verdure.