DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.846#0104
The Temple of Hercule$. Wt"
temple of Agrigentum to the destroyers of the city, or to the
Goths and Vandals.
The Temple of Hercules.
At a distance equal to that which separates the two former
temples, that is to say, about 300 steps farther, still stretching
towards the west, in the midst of a heap of ruins, a single co-
lumn still rises, which was pointed out to me by my guide, as
well as by the authors of antiquity, as the last remnant of one of
the most beautiful, the richest, and the most celebrated temples
in the history of this unfortunate city—the Temple of Hercules
—the temple which Verres attempted to plunder, but which
Cicero caused to rise from its ruins. Here also was formerly
seen the celebrated statue of Hercules, the admiration of all
who beheld it, the value of which may be estimated when we
know that the Roman orator declared that it surpassed in beauty
every thing of the kind he had ever seen. Not having any
remarks to make on the remains of this temple, I cannot for-
bear transcribing the passage in which Cicero describes the in-
famous attempt of Verres, and the noble resistance by which
that attempt was entirely frustrated.
" The Temple of Hercules," says Cicero, " is situated in the
city of Agrigentum, a little distance from the forum. During the
night Verres dispatched to the temple a band of soldiers, under
the conduct of Temachrides. At the sound of their approach,
and the clashing of their arms, the guardians of the temple ut-
tering loud lamentations, prepared for their defence; but
being attacked and wounded by the soldiers of Verres, they
were compelled to flee. The soldiers then forced the gates of
the temple, entered into the interior, and surrounded the statue
of Hercules, endeavouring to raise if, in order to carry it away
with them. The report of this sacrilege soon spread through
the city. Suddenly awakened from their sleep, all the citi-
zens, old and young, seized such arms as were in their way,
or other things which could supply the place of weapons. In
a moment the whole city was assembled, and ran to the der
fence of the temple, which was situated near the walls of the
city, looking towards the sea. The soldiers of Verres were
attacked by the people, forced to retreat, and, finally, put to
flight.
Of the interior walls, which divided this city into five different
divisions, like Syracuse, not the least trace remains; and if,
indeed, their foundations exist, they must be buried many feet
beneath the surface of the earth. One gate, said to be that of
the inferior part ef the city, is at present all that remains of
these sections.
temple of Agrigentum to the destroyers of the city, or to the
Goths and Vandals.
The Temple of Hercules.
At a distance equal to that which separates the two former
temples, that is to say, about 300 steps farther, still stretching
towards the west, in the midst of a heap of ruins, a single co-
lumn still rises, which was pointed out to me by my guide, as
well as by the authors of antiquity, as the last remnant of one of
the most beautiful, the richest, and the most celebrated temples
in the history of this unfortunate city—the Temple of Hercules
—the temple which Verres attempted to plunder, but which
Cicero caused to rise from its ruins. Here also was formerly
seen the celebrated statue of Hercules, the admiration of all
who beheld it, the value of which may be estimated when we
know that the Roman orator declared that it surpassed in beauty
every thing of the kind he had ever seen. Not having any
remarks to make on the remains of this temple, I cannot for-
bear transcribing the passage in which Cicero describes the in-
famous attempt of Verres, and the noble resistance by which
that attempt was entirely frustrated.
" The Temple of Hercules," says Cicero, " is situated in the
city of Agrigentum, a little distance from the forum. During the
night Verres dispatched to the temple a band of soldiers, under
the conduct of Temachrides. At the sound of their approach,
and the clashing of their arms, the guardians of the temple ut-
tering loud lamentations, prepared for their defence; but
being attacked and wounded by the soldiers of Verres, they
were compelled to flee. The soldiers then forced the gates of
the temple, entered into the interior, and surrounded the statue
of Hercules, endeavouring to raise if, in order to carry it away
with them. The report of this sacrilege soon spread through
the city. Suddenly awakened from their sleep, all the citi-
zens, old and young, seized such arms as were in their way,
or other things which could supply the place of weapons. In
a moment the whole city was assembled, and ran to the der
fence of the temple, which was situated near the walls of the
city, looking towards the sea. The soldiers of Verres were
attacked by the people, forced to retreat, and, finally, put to
flight.
Of the interior walls, which divided this city into five different
divisions, like Syracuse, not the least trace remains; and if,
indeed, their foundations exist, they must be buried many feet
beneath the surface of the earth. One gate, said to be that of
the inferior part ef the city, is at present all that remains of
these sections.