Falkener, Edward; Belli, Onorio: A description of some important theatres and other remains in Crete: from a ms. history of Candia by Onorio Belli in 1586 (London, 1854)

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ON A MS. HIST. OF CANDIA, BY ONORIO BELLI.

ornamented. The columns were of a granite resembling that
of the two columns of the Piazza di Venezia. Many of them
are yet remaining, but injured by fire. I think this temple
may have been dedicated to JEsGul'apius, for in a square panel
I found sculptured a serpent of considerable size, and Pau-
sanias, moreover, in his description of the territory of Corinth,
says that the temple of iEsculapius at Lebena, in Candia, was
built in imitation of that at Cyrene. (Lett. II.)

LASSEA SOU THALASSA. (LISEA %)

Lassea still retains its name, but it is quite deserted.

The

nearest habitation is four or five miles off, where is a monastery
of Caloyers, called Pesonesso, in a most beautiful and enchant-
ing position. These Caloyers have a rental of upwards of
2000 ducats: they are courteous and kind. They have the
best wine in the island. (Lett. II.)

GORTYNA.

This city lay in a plain at the foot of a mountain : its cir-
cumference was certainly equal to ten miles. Close by it runs
the river Lethseus, celebrated as the scene of the rape of
Europa. The famous plaintain tree, which never lost its leaves,
no longer exists. Remains may be traced of two theatres, an
amphitheatre, a circus, baths, temples, fora, basilicas, aque-
ducts, cisterns, besides ruins of other edifices and fragments of
most noble columns. Of these objects Belli took plans of the
theatres, the amphitheatre, and the baths.* In the centre was

* The two latter are lost.