Gell, William: The itinerary of Greece: With a commentary on Pausanias and Strabo and an account of the monuments of antiquity at present existing in that country (London, 1810)

ARGOS TO LERNA AND MYL^E. 83

ARGOS TO LERNA AND MYL^.

Consulting the general view from the acropolis of Argos, it will be
seen that the road to the mills or Mylae crosses the river Erasinus at
some distance from its source, which lies on the right, and passes close
to the borders of the Lernsean marsh on the left. In the winter this
route is perhaps impracticable. Pausanias says, " the sea at Lerna
is 40 stadia distant from Argos." Descending to Lerna, in the way is
the Erasinus. This flows into the Phrixus, and the Phrixus into the
sea, between Temenium and Lerna. To the left of the Erasinus,
about eight stadia distant, is the temple of the Dioscuri. Turning
again into the direct road, cross the Erasinus, and come to the river
Cheimarros, near which is an inclosure of stones. Here it is said that
Pluto descended with Proserpine. Lerna, as I have said before, is at
the sea in the place where the mysteries of Ceres called Lernrea are
celebrated. There is a sacred grove which commences at the mount
Pontinos. This mount does not throw off the rain water from its sides,
but absorbs it. A river flows from it called also Pontinos. On the
summit are the vestiges of the temple of Minerva Saitis.

The foundations of the house of Hippomedon are also visible.
From this mountain a shady grove of platani, runs to the sea be-
tween the river Pontinos, and the waters of Amymone. There is
a temple of Bacchus Saotes. At the fount of Amymone grows a
platanus, under which the Hydra lurked. I saw also the fount of

M 2