DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4099#0340
BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE GULF. 307
Having crossed a river about an hour from Balto Koriipho, we
ascended an eminence, in order to take a view of the gulf in its
direction towards the entrance. This view, in addition to the ani-
mating recollections of classical interest, displays great magnificence
in the combination of its lines and exquisite harmony in the assem-
blage of its tints. We looked down upon the entrance of the gulf
which is between the promontories of Rhion and Antirrhion, on
which are respectively situated the castles of Morea and Romelia.
The former bears N. 88° W.; the latter N. 70° W.; and the inter-
mediate space is certainly much more considerable than it was
computed by the ancients.1 The above-mentioned promontories are
denominated by Livy' " the jaws of the Corinthian gulf." We dis-
covered the projecting coast from the Araxian promontory; and, in
the faint distance, the islands of Cephallenia, Ithaca, and the Echi-
nades, with the TEtolian shore, near Mesaloggion. These soft dis-
tances are well contrasted with the rugged and frowning precipices
of Chalcis and Taphiassos, presenting their craggy sides to the open
sea, and uniting with the lofty chains of Rhegana, and Loidonki, as
they branch out from Pindos and (Eta. The town of Nepaktos is
seen on the Locrian coast in a direction of N. 6° E., and the sickle-
formed cape of Drepanon projects in a thin line, from the Achaian
shore.
When we had drawn this beautiful prospect, the evening ap-
proached, and we left our luggage horses to follow at the usual pace
of three miles an hour, while we proceeded with greater expedition
to Patra, where we arrived after dark. In our way we crossed four
rivers mentioned by Pausanias; namely, the Bolinaios, Selemnos,
Charadros, and Meilichos. These are insignificant streams; and,
except the latter, which is called Melikoukia, have no distinctive
names, but are merely called rola^og, or giv^a,.
> Thucydides says it is seven stadia in breadth, b. 2. c. S6 ; Strabo says five, b. 8. p. 335 ;
and Pliny says it is near a mile. Nat. Hist. b. 4. c. 2.
B. 28. c. 7. Fauces eas sunt Corinthii sinus.
R R 2
Having crossed a river about an hour from Balto Koriipho, we
ascended an eminence, in order to take a view of the gulf in its
direction towards the entrance. This view, in addition to the ani-
mating recollections of classical interest, displays great magnificence
in the combination of its lines and exquisite harmony in the assem-
blage of its tints. We looked down upon the entrance of the gulf
which is between the promontories of Rhion and Antirrhion, on
which are respectively situated the castles of Morea and Romelia.
The former bears N. 88° W.; the latter N. 70° W.; and the inter-
mediate space is certainly much more considerable than it was
computed by the ancients.1 The above-mentioned promontories are
denominated by Livy' " the jaws of the Corinthian gulf." We dis-
covered the projecting coast from the Araxian promontory; and, in
the faint distance, the islands of Cephallenia, Ithaca, and the Echi-
nades, with the TEtolian shore, near Mesaloggion. These soft dis-
tances are well contrasted with the rugged and frowning precipices
of Chalcis and Taphiassos, presenting their craggy sides to the open
sea, and uniting with the lofty chains of Rhegana, and Loidonki, as
they branch out from Pindos and (Eta. The town of Nepaktos is
seen on the Locrian coast in a direction of N. 6° E., and the sickle-
formed cape of Drepanon projects in a thin line, from the Achaian
shore.
When we had drawn this beautiful prospect, the evening ap-
proached, and we left our luggage horses to follow at the usual pace
of three miles an hour, while we proceeded with greater expedition
to Patra, where we arrived after dark. In our way we crossed four
rivers mentioned by Pausanias; namely, the Bolinaios, Selemnos,
Charadros, and Meilichos. These are insignificant streams; and,
except the latter, which is called Melikoukia, have no distinctive
names, but are merely called rola^og, or giv^a,.
> Thucydides says it is seven stadia in breadth, b. 2. c. S6 ; Strabo says five, b. 8. p. 335 ;
and Pliny says it is near a mile. Nat. Hist. b. 4. c. 2.
B. 28. c. 7. Fauces eas sunt Corinthii sinus.
R R 2