DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4099#0179
162 CAVE OF PAN.
finished.1 In the same excavation was discovered an anlefix" of
terra cotta, ornamented with the usual foliage, and inscribed
A0HNAIOT. It is difficult to decide whether this word relates to
an Athenian, or to a person named Athenaeus. Gold darics 3 have
sometimes been found at Marathon, but not in such numbers as
might be expected.
We visited the cave of Pan, of which Pausanias4 gives so exagge-
rated an account, that it appears probable that he was satisfied
with the details which he received from the people of the neighbour-
hood, and was deterred from exploring its winding recesses by the
smallness and inconvenience of the aperture. It is three quarters
of an hour from the village, and is situated a short way up a
steep and rocky hill. We entered this cave with all the ardour of
impatient curiosity, which was followed by the usual disappoint-
ment. After creeping for some time on our knees, and descrying
only a few small chambers covered with coarse stalactite, Ave forced
our way with considerable trouble, through some low and narrow
passages, where the only gratification for our pains was an opportu-
nity of observing the rocks marked with the names of some of our
countrymen, who, like ourselves, had probably been deceived by
the description of Pausanias.
At the foot of the hill of Pan s is the fountain Makaria, which
was evidently much ornamented. Part of a well-built circular wall,
composed of large regular blocks, still remains; and several other
ruins and traces are confused^ scattered in the vicinity. The water
is clear and copious, and after issuing from the rock, forms a rapid
stream, which is shaded by the elegant oleander, of surprising
height. This stream sometimes overflows in winter, occasioning
1 They were bought, in 1818, by the Count de Portalis, at the sale of the late Count de
Choiseul Gouffier, at Paris.
* There is a similar antifix in the British Museum.
3 There is one in Mr. Burgon's collection, which was found at this place.
B. l. c. 33. s Uayos Opus. Pausan. loc. cit.
finished.1 In the same excavation was discovered an anlefix" of
terra cotta, ornamented with the usual foliage, and inscribed
A0HNAIOT. It is difficult to decide whether this word relates to
an Athenian, or to a person named Athenaeus. Gold darics 3 have
sometimes been found at Marathon, but not in such numbers as
might be expected.
We visited the cave of Pan, of which Pausanias4 gives so exagge-
rated an account, that it appears probable that he was satisfied
with the details which he received from the people of the neighbour-
hood, and was deterred from exploring its winding recesses by the
smallness and inconvenience of the aperture. It is three quarters
of an hour from the village, and is situated a short way up a
steep and rocky hill. We entered this cave with all the ardour of
impatient curiosity, which was followed by the usual disappoint-
ment. After creeping for some time on our knees, and descrying
only a few small chambers covered with coarse stalactite, Ave forced
our way with considerable trouble, through some low and narrow
passages, where the only gratification for our pains was an opportu-
nity of observing the rocks marked with the names of some of our
countrymen, who, like ourselves, had probably been deceived by
the description of Pausanias.
At the foot of the hill of Pan s is the fountain Makaria, which
was evidently much ornamented. Part of a well-built circular wall,
composed of large regular blocks, still remains; and several other
ruins and traces are confused^ scattered in the vicinity. The water
is clear and copious, and after issuing from the rock, forms a rapid
stream, which is shaded by the elegant oleander, of surprising
height. This stream sometimes overflows in winter, occasioning
1 They were bought, in 1818, by the Count de Portalis, at the sale of the late Count de
Choiseul Gouffier, at Paris.
* There is a similar antifix in the British Museum.
3 There is one in Mr. Burgon's collection, which was found at this place.
B. l. c. 33. s Uayos Opus. Pausan. loc. cit.