DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4099#0474
436 PLAIN AND LAKE OF PHENEOS.
Corinthian gulf towards the east; the plain of Pheneos was also
visible below us. Our road ran along the rocky sides of the moun-
tains, which rise majestically on the north-east side of the plain,
and are enlivened with villages and shaded with trees. The view
over the plain of Pheneos is singularly grand; it presents a surface
of fine verdure and of great extent; its little lake is scarcely visible
at its northern extremity. The contiguous mountains shoot into
the air in impressive forms, while they are diversified by bold pro-
jections and green retreats.
Pausanias1 relates that the ancient town of Pheneos was once
overwhelmed during an inundation of the plain, and that in his
time the marks of this inundation were still visible on the mountains.
It is a circumstance of singular interest that the marks of the inun-
dation, which are mentioned by the topographer, remain to the
present day, and thus afford us an opportunity of bearing testimony
to his veracity.
The lower parts of the mountains, for some hundred feet above
the plain, are of a much lighter colour than the upper parts, and a
yellow border is carried along their bases round the whole circle of
the plain. It is evident that a temporary inundation could not
effect so striking a difference in the superficies of the rock, the
colour of which must have been changed from that of the upper
parts by the concreting deposit of many ages.
Plutarch* relates that Apollo was supposed to have destroyed the
territory of the Pheneates, because Hercules, who had stolen the
tripod from Delphi, had taken it to Pheneos a thousand years before.
We passed through some villages, and descending to the plain,
came to the river Olbios, or Aroanios, which was flowing in a rapid
and copious current from the solution of the snow upon the moun-
tains. We crossed it with considerable difficulty, and passing through
B. 8. c. 14. wait xai t<? 1ffM» «nj/*eia iXttrik ttt few tpm, it; a. txxva.$Van h vSivp Aiyeixn.
* De iis qui tarde a nana cor.
Corinthian gulf towards the east; the plain of Pheneos was also
visible below us. Our road ran along the rocky sides of the moun-
tains, which rise majestically on the north-east side of the plain,
and are enlivened with villages and shaded with trees. The view
over the plain of Pheneos is singularly grand; it presents a surface
of fine verdure and of great extent; its little lake is scarcely visible
at its northern extremity. The contiguous mountains shoot into
the air in impressive forms, while they are diversified by bold pro-
jections and green retreats.
Pausanias1 relates that the ancient town of Pheneos was once
overwhelmed during an inundation of the plain, and that in his
time the marks of this inundation were still visible on the mountains.
It is a circumstance of singular interest that the marks of the inun-
dation, which are mentioned by the topographer, remain to the
present day, and thus afford us an opportunity of bearing testimony
to his veracity.
The lower parts of the mountains, for some hundred feet above
the plain, are of a much lighter colour than the upper parts, and a
yellow border is carried along their bases round the whole circle of
the plain. It is evident that a temporary inundation could not
effect so striking a difference in the superficies of the rock, the
colour of which must have been changed from that of the upper
parts by the concreting deposit of many ages.
Plutarch* relates that Apollo was supposed to have destroyed the
territory of the Pheneates, because Hercules, who had stolen the
tripod from Delphi, had taken it to Pheneos a thousand years before.
We passed through some villages, and descending to the plain,
came to the river Olbios, or Aroanios, which was flowing in a rapid
and copious current from the solution of the snow upon the moun-
tains. We crossed it with considerable difficulty, and passing through
B. 8. c. 14. wait xai t<? 1ffM» «nj/*eia iXttrik ttt few tpm, it; a. txxva.$Van h vSivp Aiyeixn.
* De iis qui tarde a nana cor.