Dyer, Thomas Henry: Ancient Athens: Its history, topography, and remains (London, 1873)

31.4

ANCIENT A THENS.

and quality of the stones, the largest heing brought from Elephantine,
just as Pausanias admired those at Athens. There was a propylseum
before the temple of Demeter at Eleusis, which may perhaps he that
alluded to by Cicero as building, or at all events designed, by Appius
Claudius. Cicero had entertained the idea of erecting a propyleeum at
the Academy by way of an Attic monument to himself.1 Such struc-
tures, therefore, must be regarded rather as entrances to some sacred

VIEW OF T1IE 1'BOl'VIuKA.

precinct than fortifications, as LeakeJ and other topographers have
thought. As M. Beule observes, the elegance of the Athenian structure,
and the statuary and paintings with which it was adorned, show that it
was not meant for such a purpose. Propylasa differed from pylm (irvXai,
gates), in being complex buildings and having f\jlm of their own. In
that at Athens there were no fewer than five gates. These, though not

1 Epp. ad Attic, vi. 1, 2G.

vol. i. p. 317.