DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4719#0203
182
LTCIA.
extend along the coast, and appear to have been dungeons
or guard-rooms for a fortified town ; many foundations and
walls remain, but it is difficult to trace the plans of the
buildings.
The chief objects of interest are the tombs, which are of
several kinds and dates#, some appearing from the style to
be of as late a period as the Romans ; those standing on the
hills and near the town have been much shaken by the earth-
quakes so frequently felt here. The most beautiful speci-
mens are those cut out of the live rock which has been
excavated, leaving what in appearance are finely built temples.
A singular consequence of this mode of building is seen in
a column broken at the base, but remaining suspended by
the capital. The tombs are in most cases approached by
steps, and the columns of the portico stand out perhaps six
feet from the entrance to the cella ; the imitation of a door
is carved in panels, with ornaments and nails finely finished.
The entrance has originally been effected by sliding sideways
a panel of the false door ; but this tedious process has not
suited the despoilers of these tombs, who have entered by
breaking open one of the panels. The interiors vary but
little; they are roughly worked, and are about nine feet by
twelve, and six feet in height; on the three sides are the seats,
or more probably benches, upon which the coffin or urns
have been placed, three feet six inches in height. Some
tombs are larger, affording accommodation for the mourners
within them. The outward architecture varies so much, that
I can do no more than refer to the sketches given in a sub-
sequent part of this volume, which will assist in making my
memoranda intelligible.
* The Soros or Sarcophagus tombs at Telmessus, which are con-
sidered more modern than those excavated in the rock, Professor Por-
son decides, from an inscription in Dr. Clark's Travels, to be of a
date " evidently older than the 100th Olympiad," making the date pro-
bably before 377 B.C.
[-■■ II
a i ■
LTCIA.
extend along the coast, and appear to have been dungeons
or guard-rooms for a fortified town ; many foundations and
walls remain, but it is difficult to trace the plans of the
buildings.
The chief objects of interest are the tombs, which are of
several kinds and dates#, some appearing from the style to
be of as late a period as the Romans ; those standing on the
hills and near the town have been much shaken by the earth-
quakes so frequently felt here. The most beautiful speci-
mens are those cut out of the live rock which has been
excavated, leaving what in appearance are finely built temples.
A singular consequence of this mode of building is seen in
a column broken at the base, but remaining suspended by
the capital. The tombs are in most cases approached by
steps, and the columns of the portico stand out perhaps six
feet from the entrance to the cella ; the imitation of a door
is carved in panels, with ornaments and nails finely finished.
The entrance has originally been effected by sliding sideways
a panel of the false door ; but this tedious process has not
suited the despoilers of these tombs, who have entered by
breaking open one of the panels. The interiors vary but
little; they are roughly worked, and are about nine feet by
twelve, and six feet in height; on the three sides are the seats,
or more probably benches, upon which the coffin or urns
have been placed, three feet six inches in height. Some
tombs are larger, affording accommodation for the mourners
within them. The outward architecture varies so much, that
I can do no more than refer to the sketches given in a sub-
sequent part of this volume, which will assist in making my
memoranda intelligible.
* The Soros or Sarcophagus tombs at Telmessus, which are con-
sidered more modern than those excavated in the rock, Professor Por-
son decides, from an inscription in Dr. Clark's Travels, to be of a
date " evidently older than the 100th Olympiad," making the date pro-
bably before 377 B.C.
[-■■ II
a i ■