DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4099#0476
438 RUINS OF PHENEOS.
their construction, except in being composed of a thick mass of
small unhewn stones, united with a certain degree of care, but
without mortar. A few ancient tiles are also seen scattered about
the ruins; but we could not discover a single block of hewn stone,
or any object of architectural interest. I have seen other similar
remains in the mountainous parts of Greece; and they may possibly
be of very early date, and were perhaps the mtpMeohas or walled
villages of the ancients. The view from this rock embraces only a
mass of mountains, with wild glens and rugged indentations. It is a
deep solitude, where the voice of man is not heard, and not a single
habitation is seen.
We returned to Phonia in the evening, and the next morning
examined the few and imperfect remains of the ancient Pheneos,
which is situated upon an insulated rock below the village. This
rock has been encircled with walls, of which only the foundations
remain; the rest of the ruins consist of scattered blocks and con-
fused accumulations.
Pheneos, which was one of the most ancient cities of Greece, was
situated on a branch of Mount Cyllene,1 in that part of Arcadia
named Azania. It is mentioned by Homer,1 in his enumeration of
the Arcadian cities which equipped forces for the Trojan expedition.
The coins of Pheneos are scarce, and the beauty of them will
bear a comparison with those of Stymphalos. On the silver tetra-
drachms is a female head; on the reverse, Mercury with the child
Arkas in his arms ; inscription 0>ENEflN-APKA2. The female head
is possibly that of Kallisto, daughter of Lycaon, of whom Jupiter
became enamoured, and Arkas was the fruit of that passion. Kal-
listo was metamorphosed into a bear, and killed by Diana; but the
infant was saved by Mercury. Thus the coin and the fable mutually
elucidate each other.5
1 Eustath. in Horn. p. 301. 14.
Oi itvttv VevEfMvh, xai Opx°P*yl>Y -KoXv^Xtv. Iliad, 2. v. 605.
3 This story is related by Pausanias, b. 8. c. 3.
their construction, except in being composed of a thick mass of
small unhewn stones, united with a certain degree of care, but
without mortar. A few ancient tiles are also seen scattered about
the ruins; but we could not discover a single block of hewn stone,
or any object of architectural interest. I have seen other similar
remains in the mountainous parts of Greece; and they may possibly
be of very early date, and were perhaps the mtpMeohas or walled
villages of the ancients. The view from this rock embraces only a
mass of mountains, with wild glens and rugged indentations. It is a
deep solitude, where the voice of man is not heard, and not a single
habitation is seen.
We returned to Phonia in the evening, and the next morning
examined the few and imperfect remains of the ancient Pheneos,
which is situated upon an insulated rock below the village. This
rock has been encircled with walls, of which only the foundations
remain; the rest of the ruins consist of scattered blocks and con-
fused accumulations.
Pheneos, which was one of the most ancient cities of Greece, was
situated on a branch of Mount Cyllene,1 in that part of Arcadia
named Azania. It is mentioned by Homer,1 in his enumeration of
the Arcadian cities which equipped forces for the Trojan expedition.
The coins of Pheneos are scarce, and the beauty of them will
bear a comparison with those of Stymphalos. On the silver tetra-
drachms is a female head; on the reverse, Mercury with the child
Arkas in his arms ; inscription 0>ENEflN-APKA2. The female head
is possibly that of Kallisto, daughter of Lycaon, of whom Jupiter
became enamoured, and Arkas was the fruit of that passion. Kal-
listo was metamorphosed into a bear, and killed by Diana; but the
infant was saved by Mercury. Thus the coin and the fable mutually
elucidate each other.5
1 Eustath. in Horn. p. 301. 14.
Oi itvttv VevEfMvh, xai Opx°P*yl>Y -KoXv^Xtv. Iliad, 2. v. 605.
3 This story is related by Pausanias, b. 8. c. 3.