DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4265#0020
PLATE I.
ON THE PLAN OF ATHENS'.
Of the various evils which accompanied the decline of Roman greatness, and which continued to
diffuse their baneful influence long after its destruction, no one appears to have been more severely
felt than the universal torpor which at this period possessed the minds of men; insomuch that, for
some centuries, the exertions of virtue and genius seemed to have ceased. Upon the dissolution and
ruin of this mighty empire, the imperial city was more than once a prey to Barbarians : the stately
monuments of public magnificence, or private luxury, were now demolished; those beautiful forms
and proportions which had excited the admiration of ages, became mutilated and defaced ; the arts
themselves, from which the most marvellous effects had arisen, were for a time extinguished. It was
long before the nobler faculties of the mind were re-animated, and began to assume their proper
force and direction; but as knowledge advanced, and emulation was excited, the enthusiasm spread
over Europe, and with no small degree of fervour strove to retrieve the history of those achieve-
ments, and to investigate the system of that policy, which, from beginnings by no means splendid,
had raised so stupendous a superstructure. Rome became again the resort of the learned ; the ve-
nerable ruins of the city forcibly attracted the attention of the curious, who were eager to examine
the remains of her ancient splendour; to these researches, painting, sculpture, and architecture, the
arts which had formerly contributed to adorn her, owe their revival. The ancient topography of
Rome was at this time with great diligence and accuracy ascertained; and many interesting points
of ancient history again were brought into view, and received a satisfactory illustration.
But Athens, that once celebrated seat of learning, whence the arts were derived, although long
forsaken, and lastly subdued by the Barbarians, under whose tyranny she still languishes, has seldom
been visited by persons of erudition, leisure, and curiosity; and, at such times, these visits have been
casual and transitory. The Marquis de Nointel, who was there in 1674, was the first traveller of any
consequence. Mr. Vernon, who arrived there in the year 1675, seems to have been the most
earnest and diligent enquirer during his short residence j as Sir George Wheler, who came thither
with Dr. Spon in the year I676, and remained there some months, seems to have been the most per-
severing j yet, notwithstanding the pains these gentlemen have employed to ascertain the ancient
topography of Athens, I am persuaded they have been but too frequently mistaken; their authority,
however, is so great, that the errors they committed have generally misled succeeding travellers.
The far greater part of the buildings which once adorned this celebrated place, are annihilated;
those few which remain are extremely mutilated. The tradition of the present inhabitants is for the
most part false. We may add, that the observations of the ancients which have come down to us are
directed more to grammatical niceties, orthography, or historical narration, than to architecture or
topography. There are some places and buildings, of the identity of which we cannot doubt; these
we may use as data to ascertain those which unfortunately no longer exist. One principal feature
a This chapter was left in an imperfect state by Mr. Stuart, rangement of those scattered materials which constitute the re-
The first and greater part of that which is here printed is given mainder. [R-3
nearly in the words of the manuscript, and has dictated the ar-
ON THE PLAN OF ATHENS'.
Of the various evils which accompanied the decline of Roman greatness, and which continued to
diffuse their baneful influence long after its destruction, no one appears to have been more severely
felt than the universal torpor which at this period possessed the minds of men; insomuch that, for
some centuries, the exertions of virtue and genius seemed to have ceased. Upon the dissolution and
ruin of this mighty empire, the imperial city was more than once a prey to Barbarians : the stately
monuments of public magnificence, or private luxury, were now demolished; those beautiful forms
and proportions which had excited the admiration of ages, became mutilated and defaced ; the arts
themselves, from which the most marvellous effects had arisen, were for a time extinguished. It was
long before the nobler faculties of the mind were re-animated, and began to assume their proper
force and direction; but as knowledge advanced, and emulation was excited, the enthusiasm spread
over Europe, and with no small degree of fervour strove to retrieve the history of those achieve-
ments, and to investigate the system of that policy, which, from beginnings by no means splendid,
had raised so stupendous a superstructure. Rome became again the resort of the learned ; the ve-
nerable ruins of the city forcibly attracted the attention of the curious, who were eager to examine
the remains of her ancient splendour; to these researches, painting, sculpture, and architecture, the
arts which had formerly contributed to adorn her, owe their revival. The ancient topography of
Rome was at this time with great diligence and accuracy ascertained; and many interesting points
of ancient history again were brought into view, and received a satisfactory illustration.
But Athens, that once celebrated seat of learning, whence the arts were derived, although long
forsaken, and lastly subdued by the Barbarians, under whose tyranny she still languishes, has seldom
been visited by persons of erudition, leisure, and curiosity; and, at such times, these visits have been
casual and transitory. The Marquis de Nointel, who was there in 1674, was the first traveller of any
consequence. Mr. Vernon, who arrived there in the year 1675, seems to have been the most
earnest and diligent enquirer during his short residence j as Sir George Wheler, who came thither
with Dr. Spon in the year I676, and remained there some months, seems to have been the most per-
severing j yet, notwithstanding the pains these gentlemen have employed to ascertain the ancient
topography of Athens, I am persuaded they have been but too frequently mistaken; their authority,
however, is so great, that the errors they committed have generally misled succeeding travellers.
The far greater part of the buildings which once adorned this celebrated place, are annihilated;
those few which remain are extremely mutilated. The tradition of the present inhabitants is for the
most part false. We may add, that the observations of the ancients which have come down to us are
directed more to grammatical niceties, orthography, or historical narration, than to architecture or
topography. There are some places and buildings, of the identity of which we cannot doubt; these
we may use as data to ascertain those which unfortunately no longer exist. One principal feature
a This chapter was left in an imperfect state by Mr. Stuart, rangement of those scattered materials which constitute the re-
The first and greater part of that which is here printed is given mainder. [R-3
nearly in the words of the manuscript, and has dictated the ar-