DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4265#0061
MODERN NAMES OF THE VILLAGES IN THE MEGARESE TERRITORY.
BIZKLV.
AEPBENH5.
AflAEKA EKKAH2IAI'
KAKI2KAAA d.
KONAOTPAe.
AEANAP02 f.
MAZAI.
MErAPAs or MErPA.
nEPAXOPA.
20Y2AKH.
To these we may add some Villagesh in the Megarean Tract.
ArXOH. KPOMMTON".
AirEIPOT2A Ka\ MErAPA.
AirEIP02. NI2AIA.
Airo20ENA \ IIHrAI.
EAI22ANTH. 2IAOT2f.
" Gell mentions a village pronounced Bissia, en the road from
Corinth to Megara, by the Scironian way, before arriving at
Kasidi. See Itin. of Greece, p. 2. CBD0
b This must allude to the great Dcrvene, the guard or Custom-
house, on the modern road over Mount Geranion on the isthmus
of Corinth, about three hours distant from Megara. £f.d.]
c AwJE*a 'Y.x.x.>,rio-ttx,i, or the Twelve Churches, is a modern name
given to the ancient port of Megara, called Nissea, about a mile
distant from the capital, to which it was united, as the Piraeus
was to Athens, by long fortified walls, of which the traces still
remain. In Sir George Wheler's time the Twelve Churches
were in ruins, and the place entirely depopulated. £ki).[]
u Kaki-Scala was the ancient Scironian way next the sea,
in the road to Corinth, at the eastern foot of Mount Geranion,
and is about five miles from Megara. [ed.]
e A place of the same name has already been introduced in
the list of the modern names of Attic localities; possibly it is
here repeated from being near to the Megarian frontier, [ed.]
f Sidus and Crommyon were on the Scironian route between
Corinth and Megara; and some ruins near Kasidi midway, are
supposed to be those of Sidus, which the present peasantry call
Leandra. See Gell's Itin. of Greece, p. 3. ■ [id.]
s The present town of Megara is on the site of part of the an-
cient city. It is said to have contained a thousand houses or huts,
many of which were uninhabited, and the greater part probably
are now destroyed. [kd.]
h Stuart must have meant to say, ' a List of some Ancient
Places in Megaris', in support of which we will make the fol-
lowing extract from the Travels of that classical and inquiring
traveller, Mr. Dodwcll. " The territory of Megaris, though
small and unfertile, had, at one period, five towns, besides the
capital. These were, according to Scylax, Aigosthenai, Pegai,
Teichos, Geraneia', and Aris. Strabo mentions Tripodiskion,
Aigeirouse, and Polichne*'; and Pausanias, Aigisthaina, Pegai,
Trapodiskos, and Erencia. The latter ought most probably to
be read Geraneia. Diodorus mentions a place in Megaris called
Kimolia ; but he leaves it uncertain whether it was a town. The
remains of Pegai are seen on the sea of Halcyon, (the Gulf of
1 T£~£« Ti^anix probably alluded to a fort on the ridge of Geraneia, the most
defensible part of the isthmus of Corinth. It is satisfactory to know, that in the
opinion of military men, the Peninsula of the Morea (with the consent of the
natives,) might be maintained with a very small force against the most powerful
enemy, by any power commanding the sea. The late Colonel Squire, of the Royal
Engineers, observed:—" On examining the ground, the ridge of mountains, the
ancient Geraneia, appears to constitute the best and most tenable barrier of the
isthmus towards Greece; the Scironian road leading from Megara may readily
be destroyed ; an impracticable rocky height thus extends from one sea to the
other, presenting only in one instance a passable gorge, the present road into
the Peloponnesus, which r/iay be defended by a handful of men, against the most
formidable invader. Cannon judiciously planted in this part would ensure the
safety of the isthmus, for the whole ground in front, consisting of rugged uneven
heights, is completely commanded by the mountain." The isthmus of Corinth
was attempted to be cut through by several ancient sovereigns, of whom are re-
corded the names of Demetrius, Caesar, Nero, and Caligula. The traces of their
operations are still evident in an excavation for an intended canal, 200 feet in
width, and extending in length 3729 feet from the Gulph of Corinth, and situated
Livadostro,) and Tripodiskos is supposed to have been situated
near the entrance of the Scironian way, at the south-east foot of
Mount Geraneia, where some ancient vestiges are found. Gera-
neia was probably above the Scironian way." Gell, however,
places Ercna;a about two miles to the north of Megara, on the
road to Kontoura.
The territorial position of Megara was commanding, having
ports, like its rival neighbour Corinth, on each sea ; but the small-
ness of its territory, hemmed in by mountains, and bounded by
more powerful states, together with being subject to perpetual
inroads consequent on the wars of the Peloponnesian and conti-
nental states of Greece, rendered this advantage of little avail.
Megara, at the earlier epoch of Athenian and Spartan rivalry, was
constrained to accede to a confederacy with Athens; an alliance
which in reality was submission.
In recent history, the whole of the territory adjoining the north-
ern side of the isthmus of the Peloponnesus, including Megara and
Kondoura, was by the Turkish policy constituted a province, called
Derveni Gloria, the population of which was considered respon-
sible in guarding the entrance by the isthmus to the Morea. They
were Christians, who paid a small capitation-tax, and had only one
Turk among them, being subject to the Capitan Pasha. On several
occasions they proved their fidelity to the Pashas of the Morea
against his rebellious Albanesc. In the present war they have
inflicted severe losses on the Turks. Dodwell's Travels, V. II.
p. 179- Gell's Itinerary of Greece, p. 11. CKD-]
1 Aigosthense, was situate in the Gulf of Livadostro, at a bay,
formed by the roots of Mount Cithairon. The romantic site with
the remains of ancient walls still in existence, and with a high
tower, in almost perfect preservation, which exemplify the Gre-
cian principles of ancient military architecture, are supposed to
be the remains of this port. More to the north, towards Liva-
dostro, there is a bay named Psatho, which is considered to be the
ancient llnyou, or Pega;. There is another port near the above on
this side the isthmus, now called Porto-Germano. [ed.]
k Dr. Clarke places Cromyon at a miserable village, called
Carneta or Canetto, on the eastern shore of the isthmus, [ed.]
about a mile to the north of the ruined ancient wall which traverses the isthmus.
Walpole's Memoirs on Turkey, V. I. p. 343. V. Plan of part of the isthmus of
Corinth in the Elgin collection of drawings at the British Museum. [m.]
* The names of these places, with that of the port Nisasa, are introduced by
Strabo, from the catalogue of ships in Homer, according to the text said by the
Megareans to have been the original by that father of Greek poesy, it being related
and supported by many authors, that Solon, in place of the lines —
Aius 2' Ix 2«A«j"<»« *V«» »«*(i l» ft TLo\i%vns,
"Ex r' A'tyugoviftiSt Niffmm re, T^vrohm ts'
caused the following to be introduced (which now remain in the received text),
Ala? 5' Ix ~2aXapivos a.ytv SvoxxiSixa vSjaf,
It^« V cLyuVy iv Atirivcctcov "ffrscyro cpaXayyis*
'for the purpose of strengthening the antiquity of the Athenian pretensions to the
possession of Salamis, in opposition to those of the Megareans, on an appeal to the
decision of the Spartans, during the almost hopeless struggle to recover that re-
volted island supported by its alliance with Megara. V. Strabo, p. 394. Homeri
II. B'. 557. Quintil. Inst. L. V. C. XI. Plut. Solon. [ED,]
BIZKLV.
AEPBENH5.
AflAEKA EKKAH2IAI'
KAKI2KAAA d.
KONAOTPAe.
AEANAP02 f.
MAZAI.
MErAPAs or MErPA.
nEPAXOPA.
20Y2AKH.
To these we may add some Villagesh in the Megarean Tract.
ArXOH. KPOMMTON".
AirEIPOT2A Ka\ MErAPA.
AirEIP02. NI2AIA.
Airo20ENA \ IIHrAI.
EAI22ANTH. 2IAOT2f.
" Gell mentions a village pronounced Bissia, en the road from
Corinth to Megara, by the Scironian way, before arriving at
Kasidi. See Itin. of Greece, p. 2. CBD0
b This must allude to the great Dcrvene, the guard or Custom-
house, on the modern road over Mount Geranion on the isthmus
of Corinth, about three hours distant from Megara. £f.d.]
c AwJE*a 'Y.x.x.>,rio-ttx,i, or the Twelve Churches, is a modern name
given to the ancient port of Megara, called Nissea, about a mile
distant from the capital, to which it was united, as the Piraeus
was to Athens, by long fortified walls, of which the traces still
remain. In Sir George Wheler's time the Twelve Churches
were in ruins, and the place entirely depopulated. £ki).[]
u Kaki-Scala was the ancient Scironian way next the sea,
in the road to Corinth, at the eastern foot of Mount Geranion,
and is about five miles from Megara. [ed.]
e A place of the same name has already been introduced in
the list of the modern names of Attic localities; possibly it is
here repeated from being near to the Megarian frontier, [ed.]
f Sidus and Crommyon were on the Scironian route between
Corinth and Megara; and some ruins near Kasidi midway, are
supposed to be those of Sidus, which the present peasantry call
Leandra. See Gell's Itin. of Greece, p. 3. ■ [id.]
s The present town of Megara is on the site of part of the an-
cient city. It is said to have contained a thousand houses or huts,
many of which were uninhabited, and the greater part probably
are now destroyed. [kd.]
h Stuart must have meant to say, ' a List of some Ancient
Places in Megaris', in support of which we will make the fol-
lowing extract from the Travels of that classical and inquiring
traveller, Mr. Dodwcll. " The territory of Megaris, though
small and unfertile, had, at one period, five towns, besides the
capital. These were, according to Scylax, Aigosthenai, Pegai,
Teichos, Geraneia', and Aris. Strabo mentions Tripodiskion,
Aigeirouse, and Polichne*'; and Pausanias, Aigisthaina, Pegai,
Trapodiskos, and Erencia. The latter ought most probably to
be read Geraneia. Diodorus mentions a place in Megaris called
Kimolia ; but he leaves it uncertain whether it was a town. The
remains of Pegai are seen on the sea of Halcyon, (the Gulf of
1 T£~£« Ti^anix probably alluded to a fort on the ridge of Geraneia, the most
defensible part of the isthmus of Corinth. It is satisfactory to know, that in the
opinion of military men, the Peninsula of the Morea (with the consent of the
natives,) might be maintained with a very small force against the most powerful
enemy, by any power commanding the sea. The late Colonel Squire, of the Royal
Engineers, observed:—" On examining the ground, the ridge of mountains, the
ancient Geraneia, appears to constitute the best and most tenable barrier of the
isthmus towards Greece; the Scironian road leading from Megara may readily
be destroyed ; an impracticable rocky height thus extends from one sea to the
other, presenting only in one instance a passable gorge, the present road into
the Peloponnesus, which r/iay be defended by a handful of men, against the most
formidable invader. Cannon judiciously planted in this part would ensure the
safety of the isthmus, for the whole ground in front, consisting of rugged uneven
heights, is completely commanded by the mountain." The isthmus of Corinth
was attempted to be cut through by several ancient sovereigns, of whom are re-
corded the names of Demetrius, Caesar, Nero, and Caligula. The traces of their
operations are still evident in an excavation for an intended canal, 200 feet in
width, and extending in length 3729 feet from the Gulph of Corinth, and situated
Livadostro,) and Tripodiskos is supposed to have been situated
near the entrance of the Scironian way, at the south-east foot of
Mount Geraneia, where some ancient vestiges are found. Gera-
neia was probably above the Scironian way." Gell, however,
places Ercna;a about two miles to the north of Megara, on the
road to Kontoura.
The territorial position of Megara was commanding, having
ports, like its rival neighbour Corinth, on each sea ; but the small-
ness of its territory, hemmed in by mountains, and bounded by
more powerful states, together with being subject to perpetual
inroads consequent on the wars of the Peloponnesian and conti-
nental states of Greece, rendered this advantage of little avail.
Megara, at the earlier epoch of Athenian and Spartan rivalry, was
constrained to accede to a confederacy with Athens; an alliance
which in reality was submission.
In recent history, the whole of the territory adjoining the north-
ern side of the isthmus of the Peloponnesus, including Megara and
Kondoura, was by the Turkish policy constituted a province, called
Derveni Gloria, the population of which was considered respon-
sible in guarding the entrance by the isthmus to the Morea. They
were Christians, who paid a small capitation-tax, and had only one
Turk among them, being subject to the Capitan Pasha. On several
occasions they proved their fidelity to the Pashas of the Morea
against his rebellious Albanesc. In the present war they have
inflicted severe losses on the Turks. Dodwell's Travels, V. II.
p. 179- Gell's Itinerary of Greece, p. 11. CKD-]
1 Aigosthense, was situate in the Gulf of Livadostro, at a bay,
formed by the roots of Mount Cithairon. The romantic site with
the remains of ancient walls still in existence, and with a high
tower, in almost perfect preservation, which exemplify the Gre-
cian principles of ancient military architecture, are supposed to
be the remains of this port. More to the north, towards Liva-
dostro, there is a bay named Psatho, which is considered to be the
ancient llnyou, or Pega;. There is another port near the above on
this side the isthmus, now called Porto-Germano. [ed.]
k Dr. Clarke places Cromyon at a miserable village, called
Carneta or Canetto, on the eastern shore of the isthmus, [ed.]
about a mile to the north of the ruined ancient wall which traverses the isthmus.
Walpole's Memoirs on Turkey, V. I. p. 343. V. Plan of part of the isthmus of
Corinth in the Elgin collection of drawings at the British Museum. [m.]
* The names of these places, with that of the port Nisasa, are introduced by
Strabo, from the catalogue of ships in Homer, according to the text said by the
Megareans to have been the original by that father of Greek poesy, it being related
and supported by many authors, that Solon, in place of the lines —
Aius 2' Ix 2«A«j"<»« *V«» »«*(i l» ft TLo\i%vns,
"Ex r' A'tyugoviftiSt Niffmm re, T^vrohm ts'
caused the following to be introduced (which now remain in the received text),
Ala? 5' Ix ~2aXapivos a.ytv SvoxxiSixa vSjaf,
It^« V cLyuVy iv Atirivcctcov "ffrscyro cpaXayyis*
'for the purpose of strengthening the antiquity of the Athenian pretensions to the
possession of Salamis, in opposition to those of the Megareans, on an appeal to the
decision of the Spartans, during the almost hopeless struggle to recover that re-
volted island supported by its alliance with Megara. V. Strabo, p. 394. Homeri
II. B'. 557. Quintil. Inst. L. V. C. XI. Plut. Solon. [ED,]