DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0549
51G
AQUEDUCT.
[Chap. xxix.
It traversed the plain in pipes of the same kind; and I was
enabled to trace them the whole way quite up tc its former
level in the town. Thus we have evidence that the ancients
were acquainted with this hydrostatic principle of water find-
ing its level when confined in a close pipe or drain of suffi-
cient strength. The aqueduct on the hill appears to have
been overthrown by an earthquake, as the remaining arches
lean bodily on one side, without being much broken. At
the spot where it reaches the town is a high conical wall
picturesquely covered with incrustations and water-pipes of
red clay, some of which are completely choked up; the
remains of what appeared to have been another water-tower
were not far distant.
The stadium, which is in a good state of preservation, is
near the southern extremity of the city. The seats, almost
perfect, are arranged along two sides of a narrow valley,
which appears to have been taken advantage of for this
purpose, and to have been closed up at both ends. Towards
the west are considerable remains of a subterranean pass-
age, by which horses and chariots were admitted into the
arena, with a long inscription over the entrance.* Near the
east end are the ruins of a massive pile of building, the
plan of which can be distinctly traced, the walls still standing
to a considerable height.
The whole area of the ancient city is covered with
ruined buildings, and I could distinguish the sites of seve-
ral temples, with the bases of the columns still in situ. Strabo
says that although formerly an inconsiderable place, it had
risen to great importance just before his time; thus the
ruins bear the stamp of Roman extravagance and luxury,
rather than of the stern and massive solidity of the Greeks.
The celebrity of the place he attributes to the fertility of the
soil and the wealth of some of its inhabitants: amongst whom
Hiero, having adorned the city with many beautiful build-
ings, bequeathed to it more than 2000 talents at his death.
Together with Apamea, Colossa3, and Hi'erapolis, Laodicea
* See Appendix, No. 207.
AQUEDUCT.
[Chap. xxix.
It traversed the plain in pipes of the same kind; and I was
enabled to trace them the whole way quite up tc its former
level in the town. Thus we have evidence that the ancients
were acquainted with this hydrostatic principle of water find-
ing its level when confined in a close pipe or drain of suffi-
cient strength. The aqueduct on the hill appears to have
been overthrown by an earthquake, as the remaining arches
lean bodily on one side, without being much broken. At
the spot where it reaches the town is a high conical wall
picturesquely covered with incrustations and water-pipes of
red clay, some of which are completely choked up; the
remains of what appeared to have been another water-tower
were not far distant.
The stadium, which is in a good state of preservation, is
near the southern extremity of the city. The seats, almost
perfect, are arranged along two sides of a narrow valley,
which appears to have been taken advantage of for this
purpose, and to have been closed up at both ends. Towards
the west are considerable remains of a subterranean pass-
age, by which horses and chariots were admitted into the
arena, with a long inscription over the entrance.* Near the
east end are the ruins of a massive pile of building, the
plan of which can be distinctly traced, the walls still standing
to a considerable height.
The whole area of the ancient city is covered with
ruined buildings, and I could distinguish the sites of seve-
ral temples, with the bases of the columns still in situ. Strabo
says that although formerly an inconsiderable place, it had
risen to great importance just before his time; thus the
ruins bear the stamp of Roman extravagance and luxury,
rather than of the stern and massive solidity of the Greeks.
The celebrity of the place he attributes to the fertility of the
soil and the wealth of some of its inhabitants: amongst whom
Hiero, having adorned the city with many beautiful build-
ings, bequeathed to it more than 2000 talents at his death.
Together with Apamea, Colossa3, and Hi'erapolis, Laodicea
* See Appendix, No. 207.