DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.800#0015
ANCIENT ATHENS
ITS HISTORY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND REMAINS.
7raacov 'A&rjvai TifiicordTTj ttoAis.
Sophocles.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory—Xature of the Attic plain—The so-called Cranaan city on the western
hills—Hypotheses respecting it—Early population of Attica—Foseidonia—Attic
traditions and legends.
We shall relate so much of the early history of Athens as may serve
to illustrate its progress as a city, and to explain the names and
allusions -which may occur in descriptions of its topography, its monu-
ments, and its works of art. "Whether this history he truth or fiction
it is not our province to inquire. Such researches belong to the philo-
sophical historian who undertakes to relate the political history of the
people. For our more humble purpose it suffices to tell what the
Athenians themselves believed, or generally admitted as authentic, re-
specting the origin and progress of their city, the introduction of their
religious ceremonies, and the adventures of their most famous heroes,
from which were taken the subjects of their poetry, their painting, and
their sculpture. For the same reason we shall not stop to inquire
whether their myths were of native growth, or—according to some
modern views—imported from the East. Their primitive traditions
as well as their early art point to an Eastern origin; but to pursue
this subject would lead us too far from our design, and it has been
£, V already discussed by many able writers.
u
ITS HISTORY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND REMAINS.
7raacov 'A&rjvai TifiicordTTj ttoAis.
Sophocles.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory—Xature of the Attic plain—The so-called Cranaan city on the western
hills—Hypotheses respecting it—Early population of Attica—Foseidonia—Attic
traditions and legends.
We shall relate so much of the early history of Athens as may serve
to illustrate its progress as a city, and to explain the names and
allusions -which may occur in descriptions of its topography, its monu-
ments, and its works of art. "Whether this history he truth or fiction
it is not our province to inquire. Such researches belong to the philo-
sophical historian who undertakes to relate the political history of the
people. For our more humble purpose it suffices to tell what the
Athenians themselves believed, or generally admitted as authentic, re-
specting the origin and progress of their city, the introduction of their
religious ceremonies, and the adventures of their most famous heroes,
from which were taken the subjects of their poetry, their painting, and
their sculpture. For the same reason we shall not stop to inquire
whether their myths were of native growth, or—according to some
modern views—imported from the East. Their primitive traditions
as well as their early art point to an Eastern origin; but to pursue
this subject would lead us too far from our design, and it has been
£, V already discussed by many able writers.
u