DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0475
442
SITE OF PESSINUS.
[Chap. xxr.
important geographical facts:—1. I was informed by the
people of Bala Hissar that between three and four hours
(nine or ten miles) to the E. or E. by S. there is a place
called Yerma with considerable ruins. This is clearly the
town through which Macdonald Kinneir passed on his way
from Sevri Hissar to Angora, and which he justly recog-
nised as the site of Germa. 2. I was told both at Bala
Hissar and at Sevri Hissar that the Sakaria flows from west
to east, about four or five miles to the south of Pessinus,
talcing its rise in a lake eight hours S.W. of Sevri Hissar;
and I was also told that I should cross it in my way from
Sevri Hissar to Afiom Kara Hissar. I will here only so
far anticipate my journal as to state that after leaving Sevri
Hissar I did cross a deep, clear, and beautiful river, full of
fish, at a place called Tchander, about fifteen miles S.S.W.
of Sevri Hissar. Now, the existence of this southern branch
of the Sangarius, flowing from the west and to the south of
Pessinus, has been omitted in all our maps; and it is re-
markable that Pococke, who must have crossed it near Ale-
kiam or Orcistus, should not have mentioned it. This is of
great importance in serving to explain many of the apparent
contradictions regarding the site of Pessinus, showing that
although the city was to the north of the river, it was yet con-
siderably to the south of that part of the river, where it has
hitherto been looked for, and on its left instead of right
bank; thereby reconciling the conflicting testimonies of
Polybius and Livy with regard to the march of Manlius.*
We also find that, although called in question by Co-
lonel Leake, the Antonine Itinerary is correct in placing
Germa 16 M. P. on the road from Pessinus to Ancyra.f It
* See Leake's Asia Minor, p. SI. Cramer, Asia Minor, vol. ii. p. 87.
f Iter a Pessinuiite Ancyram ... 99 M. P.
Sic : Germa . . . 1G
Vindia ... 24
Papira ... 32
Ancyra ... 27
99
SITE OF PESSINUS.
[Chap. xxr.
important geographical facts:—1. I was informed by the
people of Bala Hissar that between three and four hours
(nine or ten miles) to the E. or E. by S. there is a place
called Yerma with considerable ruins. This is clearly the
town through which Macdonald Kinneir passed on his way
from Sevri Hissar to Angora, and which he justly recog-
nised as the site of Germa. 2. I was told both at Bala
Hissar and at Sevri Hissar that the Sakaria flows from west
to east, about four or five miles to the south of Pessinus,
talcing its rise in a lake eight hours S.W. of Sevri Hissar;
and I was also told that I should cross it in my way from
Sevri Hissar to Afiom Kara Hissar. I will here only so
far anticipate my journal as to state that after leaving Sevri
Hissar I did cross a deep, clear, and beautiful river, full of
fish, at a place called Tchander, about fifteen miles S.S.W.
of Sevri Hissar. Now, the existence of this southern branch
of the Sangarius, flowing from the west and to the south of
Pessinus, has been omitted in all our maps; and it is re-
markable that Pococke, who must have crossed it near Ale-
kiam or Orcistus, should not have mentioned it. This is of
great importance in serving to explain many of the apparent
contradictions regarding the site of Pessinus, showing that
although the city was to the north of the river, it was yet con-
siderably to the south of that part of the river, where it has
hitherto been looked for, and on its left instead of right
bank; thereby reconciling the conflicting testimonies of
Polybius and Livy with regard to the march of Manlius.*
We also find that, although called in question by Co-
lonel Leake, the Antonine Itinerary is correct in placing
Germa 16 M. P. on the road from Pessinus to Ancyra.f It
* See Leake's Asia Minor, p. SI. Cramer, Asia Minor, vol. ii. p. 87.
f Iter a Pessinuiite Ancyram ... 99 M. P.
Sic : Germa . . . 1G
Vindia ... 24
Papira ... 32
Ancyra ... 27
99