DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.793#0022
RUINS OP OKCIIOMENOS
IN UCEOTIA.
THIS celebrated city, which in the cnrlicst times was proverbial for its wealth ', was
founded, according to Pausanias3, by the Thessalian Andreos, from whom it derived
the name of Andreis. 11 was afterwards called Phlegyas, from a son of Mars, and sub-
sequently Orchomenos, from a grandson of Neptune of that Dame, who was the son of
Minyas. The ancient appellation of Orchomenos has, by the modern inhabitants, been
converted into that of Skripou. Its acropolis, which is here represented, stands on a
steep and rocky acclivity, part of Mount Akontios, which rises to the west of the lower
town, with the Cephissos winding at its southern Iwtse. The walls, which extend from
the plain to the summit of the hill, enclose an irregular triangle, with the acute angle
terminating at the summit of the rock, which is crowned with a large square tower
regularly constructed, and approached by ninety-one steps excavated in the rock. The
three first styles3 of early military construction are observed in the walls of the acropolis.
The Tirynthian style is only seen in a few places; the well-joined polygonal is the most
predominant, and the walls appear to have suffered at least two great overthrows. We
know, from the testimony of Diodorus Siculus*, that the city was destroyed by Hercules,
and that it experienced a similar catastrophe' in the war against the Thebans, which
happened about 364 years before Christ. The rough Tirynthian style, which is observed
in the walls, was probably anterior to the time of Hercules. The acropolis was approached
by three gates, one of which was at its eastern base, another in the northern side, and
the third on the southern; the latter is entire, and is covered with two large blocks
forming the lintel. The most celebrated edifice at Orchomenos was the treasury of
Minyas, which Pausanias5 designates as one of the wonders of Greece. It was of white
marble. The entrance, which is still entire, is covered with a lintel of a single block of
marble, fifteen feet four inches in length, six feet three inches in breadth, and three feet
three inches in thickness.
The present view represents the southern side of the acropolis. Parnassos, covered
with snow, is seen in the distance, with Daulis, Panopcus, and Clucroncin, rising from the
memorable plain in which Greece made the last great hut ineffectual struggle for her
liberty and independence. The pointed mountain on the left of Parnassos is Kirphis.
The river is the Cephissos, which rises at Lila?a. The figures are Albanian Christians.
' Homer. Strata, b. 9. p. 41*, who cites Homer, Iliad, 9- v. 381. * B. 9. c 34.
• For different tpccunciu of these walk see the appendix of my Tour through Greece. It is my intention to
publish, in n short time, a work upon the Cyclopian and I'clasgic remains of Greece and Italy, which will contain
numerous Utbagnfhkal engravings by Charles I Iulbnnndel, K.»q. This work is intended to represent the
extraordinary and magnificent ruins of the heroic ages, which ore little known, ami have been seldom visited,
particularly those of ll:ily.
■ H. 4.c. id. ' It. 'J. c. 38.
IN UCEOTIA.
THIS celebrated city, which in the cnrlicst times was proverbial for its wealth ', was
founded, according to Pausanias3, by the Thessalian Andreos, from whom it derived
the name of Andreis. 11 was afterwards called Phlegyas, from a son of Mars, and sub-
sequently Orchomenos, from a grandson of Neptune of that Dame, who was the son of
Minyas. The ancient appellation of Orchomenos has, by the modern inhabitants, been
converted into that of Skripou. Its acropolis, which is here represented, stands on a
steep and rocky acclivity, part of Mount Akontios, which rises to the west of the lower
town, with the Cephissos winding at its southern Iwtse. The walls, which extend from
the plain to the summit of the hill, enclose an irregular triangle, with the acute angle
terminating at the summit of the rock, which is crowned with a large square tower
regularly constructed, and approached by ninety-one steps excavated in the rock. The
three first styles3 of early military construction are observed in the walls of the acropolis.
The Tirynthian style is only seen in a few places; the well-joined polygonal is the most
predominant, and the walls appear to have suffered at least two great overthrows. We
know, from the testimony of Diodorus Siculus*, that the city was destroyed by Hercules,
and that it experienced a similar catastrophe' in the war against the Thebans, which
happened about 364 years before Christ. The rough Tirynthian style, which is observed
in the walls, was probably anterior to the time of Hercules. The acropolis was approached
by three gates, one of which was at its eastern base, another in the northern side, and
the third on the southern; the latter is entire, and is covered with two large blocks
forming the lintel. The most celebrated edifice at Orchomenos was the treasury of
Minyas, which Pausanias5 designates as one of the wonders of Greece. It was of white
marble. The entrance, which is still entire, is covered with a lintel of a single block of
marble, fifteen feet four inches in length, six feet three inches in breadth, and three feet
three inches in thickness.
The present view represents the southern side of the acropolis. Parnassos, covered
with snow, is seen in the distance, with Daulis, Panopcus, and Clucroncin, rising from the
memorable plain in which Greece made the last great hut ineffectual struggle for her
liberty and independence. The pointed mountain on the left of Parnassos is Kirphis.
The river is the Cephissos, which rises at Lila?a. The figures are Albanian Christians.
' Homer. Strata, b. 9. p. 41*, who cites Homer, Iliad, 9- v. 381. * B. 9. c 34.
• For different tpccunciu of these walk see the appendix of my Tour through Greece. It is my intention to
publish, in n short time, a work upon the Cyclopian and I'clasgic remains of Greece and Italy, which will contain
numerous Utbagnfhkal engravings by Charles I Iulbnnndel, K.»q. This work is intended to represent the
extraordinary and magnificent ruins of the heroic ages, which ore little known, ami have been seldom visited,
particularly those of ll:ily.
■ H. 4.c. id. ' It. 'J. c. 38.