DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9841#0290
268
vestiges of an ancient city.
[chap.
who undertakes to shew me the way to them, and by most
of his fellow-villagers. After reposing for a few minutes,
under the shade of an overhanging rock, I commenced
the ascent of the lofty and very steep mountain, on
which the ancient remains were said to exist, after
first winding round the side of an adjacent mountain, to
the south-west of the village, and which is thickly covered
with pines and cypresses. A good deal of snow is still
lying on all the neighbouring mountains.
A steep and tiresome ascent of a full hour brought
us to the alleged site of the ancient city. The existing
vestiges are remains of walls, constructed of irregularly
shaped stones, most of which are small, and which were
united by cement. These remains are five or six feet
high where they are best preserved, and may be traced
for a considerable distance round the mountain.
Just above this wall are seen vestiges of two rooms,
each about ten paces square: the wall which divided
them is standing to the height of about three feet; and
that on the western side is inserted as it were in the
side of the mountain, and is ten feet high.
About a hundred paces above these slight ruins,
is seen what I suppose once to have been a cistern,
although it is not covered over with cement in its
interior. Its length is eight paces, and its width three
paces and a half. It is partly filled up, its present
depth not being above five or six feet.
As to Hellenic remains my ascent ended in disap-
pointment ; but I was most amply repaid for my labour
by the loveliness of the day, and the wildness and mag-
nificence of the scenery around me. On my throwing
out some slight doubts about the vestiges which I saw
being very ancient, and suggesting that they could hardly
belong to the celebrated " Hellenes," my Samaridte guide
exclaimed, in the tone of one half offended at my ig-
norance or incredulity : " Here was the end of them,
my good Sir6!" as if the matter had been one on which
E7ra ETeXeitatravi Ka\e.
vestiges of an ancient city.
[chap.
who undertakes to shew me the way to them, and by most
of his fellow-villagers. After reposing for a few minutes,
under the shade of an overhanging rock, I commenced
the ascent of the lofty and very steep mountain, on
which the ancient remains were said to exist, after
first winding round the side of an adjacent mountain, to
the south-west of the village, and which is thickly covered
with pines and cypresses. A good deal of snow is still
lying on all the neighbouring mountains.
A steep and tiresome ascent of a full hour brought
us to the alleged site of the ancient city. The existing
vestiges are remains of walls, constructed of irregularly
shaped stones, most of which are small, and which were
united by cement. These remains are five or six feet
high where they are best preserved, and may be traced
for a considerable distance round the mountain.
Just above this wall are seen vestiges of two rooms,
each about ten paces square: the wall which divided
them is standing to the height of about three feet; and
that on the western side is inserted as it were in the
side of the mountain, and is ten feet high.
About a hundred paces above these slight ruins,
is seen what I suppose once to have been a cistern,
although it is not covered over with cement in its
interior. Its length is eight paces, and its width three
paces and a half. It is partly filled up, its present
depth not being above five or six feet.
As to Hellenic remains my ascent ended in disap-
pointment ; but I was most amply repaid for my labour
by the loveliness of the day, and the wildness and mag-
nificence of the scenery around me. On my throwing
out some slight doubts about the vestiges which I saw
being very ancient, and suggesting that they could hardly
belong to the celebrated " Hellenes," my Samaridte guide
exclaimed, in the tone of one half offended at my ig-
norance or incredulity : " Here was the end of them,
my good Sir6!" as if the matter had been one on which
E7ra ETeXeitatravi Ka\e.