DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4099#0441
CHAPTER XI.
Ruius of Sparta—Panorama—Mount Taygeton—Remains of Amyklai—From Misithru to Tri-
politza—Mount Menalion—Ruins of Tegea—From Tripolitza to Mantineia—Ruins of the
city—To Orchomenos—Description of its ruins.
TO THE RUINS OF SPARTA.
On the 27th I set out, accompanied by Demetrio Manusaki, to
visit the ruins of Sparta. Our way led across the plain in an eastern
direction, through vineyards and mulberry plantations. In half an
hour we reached the village of Magoula, and crossed a rapid stream,
probably the Tiason, which, descending from Taygeton, enters the
Eurotas near the ruins of Sparta. Here we reached the first remains
of the Lacedaemonian capital, now called Palaio-Kastro, consisting
of uncertain traces, and heaps of large stones tossed about in a sort
of promiscuous wreck. In ten minutes from Magoula, we reached
the theatre, which is of large dimensions. The Jcoilon is excavated
in the hill which rose nearly in the middle * of the city, and which
served as an acropolis.' The theatre appears of Roman construc-
tion, and the walls of the proscenium are principally of brick. The
white marble of which Pausanias says it was composed, has dis-
appeared. The early Spartans1 did not permit dramatic perform-
ances; their theatre was used only for public exercises.
Near the theatre are the remains of a Roman brick tower, which
Manusaki assured me was the pyrgos of Menelaos! A traveller
must not expect to derive any information whatever from the gene-
rality of Greeks upon the antiquities of their country, but must ex-
1 Plutarch's Life of .Agesilaos. ' Pausan. b. 3. C. 17. 3 Plutarch, Instit. Lacon.
3 F 2
Ruius of Sparta—Panorama—Mount Taygeton—Remains of Amyklai—From Misithru to Tri-
politza—Mount Menalion—Ruins of Tegea—From Tripolitza to Mantineia—Ruins of the
city—To Orchomenos—Description of its ruins.
TO THE RUINS OF SPARTA.
On the 27th I set out, accompanied by Demetrio Manusaki, to
visit the ruins of Sparta. Our way led across the plain in an eastern
direction, through vineyards and mulberry plantations. In half an
hour we reached the village of Magoula, and crossed a rapid stream,
probably the Tiason, which, descending from Taygeton, enters the
Eurotas near the ruins of Sparta. Here we reached the first remains
of the Lacedaemonian capital, now called Palaio-Kastro, consisting
of uncertain traces, and heaps of large stones tossed about in a sort
of promiscuous wreck. In ten minutes from Magoula, we reached
the theatre, which is of large dimensions. The Jcoilon is excavated
in the hill which rose nearly in the middle * of the city, and which
served as an acropolis.' The theatre appears of Roman construc-
tion, and the walls of the proscenium are principally of brick. The
white marble of which Pausanias says it was composed, has dis-
appeared. The early Spartans1 did not permit dramatic perform-
ances; their theatre was used only for public exercises.
Near the theatre are the remains of a Roman brick tower, which
Manusaki assured me was the pyrgos of Menelaos! A traveller
must not expect to derive any information whatever from the gene-
rality of Greeks upon the antiquities of their country, but must ex-
1 Plutarch's Life of .Agesilaos. ' Pausan. b. 3. C. 17. 3 Plutarch, Instit. Lacon.
3 F 2