DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.793#0006
PORT BATHY AND THE CAPITAL OF ITHACA.
ITHACA, which owes its celebrity to the associated recollections of Ulysses, and to
the divine poetry of Homer, is situated in the Ionian Sea, at about eight miles to
the south-east of the Lcucadian promontory, thirty-two miles north of the island of
Zakunthos, and twenty-three miles to the north-west of the Araxian promontory in
Achaia. It is separated from the island of Ccpliollenia by a canal, which, in some places,
is not two miles in breadth, and in others eight. Strabo' makes its circuit only eighty
stadia, and Plinya allows it twenty-five miles. Its actual circumference is, however, about
thirty-two miles. The population of the island amounts to about 8,000 persons, who
inhabit Bathy the capital, and three small villages. It has eight ports, of which Bathy
is the largest. The contiguous port of Aitos is the next in size. Ithaca still retains its
ancient name among the upper class, though it is generally known by the appellation of
Theaki. It contains the ruins of three cities, one of which is situated ujxm a rocky
acclivity rising from the port of Aitos, and is highly interesting from the vast antiquity
of its walls, wliich are composed of polygon stones of large dimensions. Uathy is
situated at the extremity of the port of the same name, wliich is deep and broad, and
screened from the violence of the winds by the surrounding elevations;
A spacious port appears,
Sacred lo Phorcys' pow'r, whoso name it bears:
Two craggy rocks, projecting lo the main,
The roaring winds' tcni|xstuoua rage restrain;
'Within, the waves in softer murmurs glide,
And ships secure without their lialscrs ride.'
This is the port which is exhibited in the present view, and the lofty mountain
beyond its entrance is the Ncritos of Homer; but the soil is worn away, and the bare
crags are no longer shaded by the waving forests which the poet has described.
The whole of Ithaca is rocky except the plain near Bathy. The principal produce
is the currant, which is exported to England. A fine wine is extracted from this fruit;
but it is difficult to be obtained even upon the spot, and is considered a great delicacy.
' II. 10. p. 445. • Nat. HisL b. 4. c. 12. ' Pope's Trans, of Homer, Odyss. IS. v. 95.
ITHACA, which owes its celebrity to the associated recollections of Ulysses, and to
the divine poetry of Homer, is situated in the Ionian Sea, at about eight miles to
the south-east of the Lcucadian promontory, thirty-two miles north of the island of
Zakunthos, and twenty-three miles to the north-west of the Araxian promontory in
Achaia. It is separated from the island of Ccpliollenia by a canal, which, in some places,
is not two miles in breadth, and in others eight. Strabo' makes its circuit only eighty
stadia, and Plinya allows it twenty-five miles. Its actual circumference is, however, about
thirty-two miles. The population of the island amounts to about 8,000 persons, who
inhabit Bathy the capital, and three small villages. It has eight ports, of which Bathy
is the largest. The contiguous port of Aitos is the next in size. Ithaca still retains its
ancient name among the upper class, though it is generally known by the appellation of
Theaki. It contains the ruins of three cities, one of which is situated ujxm a rocky
acclivity rising from the port of Aitos, and is highly interesting from the vast antiquity
of its walls, wliich are composed of polygon stones of large dimensions. Uathy is
situated at the extremity of the port of the same name, wliich is deep and broad, and
screened from the violence of the winds by the surrounding elevations;
A spacious port appears,
Sacred lo Phorcys' pow'r, whoso name it bears:
Two craggy rocks, projecting lo the main,
The roaring winds' tcni|xstuoua rage restrain;
'Within, the waves in softer murmurs glide,
And ships secure without their lialscrs ride.'
This is the port which is exhibited in the present view, and the lofty mountain
beyond its entrance is the Ncritos of Homer; but the soil is worn away, and the bare
crags are no longer shaded by the waving forests which the poet has described.
The whole of Ithaca is rocky except the plain near Bathy. The principal produce
is the currant, which is exported to England. A fine wine is extracted from this fruit;
but it is difficult to be obtained even upon the spot, and is considered a great delicacy.
' II. 10. p. 445. • Nat. HisL b. 4. c. 12. ' Pope's Trans, of Homer, Odyss. IS. v. 95.