DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4266#0131
46
PLAN OF THE THEATRE
Pausanias a remarks, that •• they inter their dead much in the same manner as the other Greeks; but
when the body has been covered with earth, they surround it with a low wall with columns, which
support the top, resembling the pediments of temples, and do not put any inscription on the tomb."
It is not improbable that Polycletus, a Sicyonian by birth, may have erected in the manner of his
country a tomb to some distinguished individual, or perhaps to a countryman, who may have visited
the Hieron in the unavailing hope of being relieved from some fatal malady by the interposing influ-
ence of the god.
Fig. 5. and 6. Plan and section of a reservoir or fountain built of fine large blocks of stone
covered with a thick and strong cement: this was probably one of the works constructed at the ex-
pense of the munificent Antoninus. The water from the basin on Mount Cinortion was led in con-
duits into the nearest reservoir, and thence distributed, by branch pipes, to the various edifices within
the sacred precinct. Many of these conduits are to be traced among the ruins ; they are formed of
two stones, one upon the other, with a circular channel in the middle, as though formed for the re-
ception of a leaden pipe.
Of the other edifices enumerated by Pausanias, the stadium is still remaining, though in a
very dilapidated state : there seems to have been twenty-one seats, of which eighteen can now be
traced, having the same form as those of the theatre, placed immediately upon the artificial embank-
ment mentioned by the ancient traveller. One staircase is perceptible on either side, not opposite
each other, and, on the north side, a passage about six feet wide under ground, affords ingress into
the arena, which was about seventy-eight feet wide: the whole width appears to have been about 200
feet, and between 3 and 400 feet of the length are distinguishable independent of the circular end.
Near the stadium are extensive ruins, among which a heap, composed of many fragments of Corinthian
capitals, shafts of Greek Doric columns, and various caissons. Near the enriched pediment of Fig.
IV. to the eastward, are the stones of a circular building, very possibly the tliolus. The indications
of such extensive remains seem to point out this sacred precinct as containing many valuable
marbles, still buried but a few feet under the soil, and which would amply reward any well directed
excavations.
PLATE III.
PLANS AND DETAILS OF A THEATRE AT DRAMYSSUS NEAR
JOANNINA IN ALBANIA.
At about seven miles to the south-west of Joannina, the capital of Albania, are some ruins near
a village called Dramyssus. These fragments lie on a small mount rising in the middle of a plain,
surrounded by mountains; that, at the foot of which the mount lies, being called Olitzca by the inhabit-
ants. On the summit of this mount is the citadel or acropolis, whose soil, now cultivated by the
husbandman, represents a varied surface of terraces rising one above the other. Below the Acropolis
at the south angle is the theatre, which, as well as the citadel, is built of the stone found near the spot,
"worked together with the greatest care without cement. The whole of the constructions would have
been preserved even till this time much more entire than they are, but the soil entering between the
blocks and the rock on which they lie, has produced a vegetation, which by degrees has forced the
stones out of their former situation. Two entrance gates and long lines of walls of inferior construc-
tion, which enclosed the lower city, still remain, but offer no regular outline : near the north gate is
Cormtmaca, C. VII. a^toi Si £iy.tw«oi TO mXXa. eoikot» ™V» xiotctf IXHaTuat, xai lit airoT; lvi6vfia ttokwi mto Toi; asTou?
twrouo-i. To fA.it o-wpa. yy H^ivTova-^, ?u6oy SI £7roiKooViio-a»TEs KgwrlSa, paXta-rci -iov<; h to':'; tao7r 'f7riygafiij.a i\ uXXo ph iiriy^cclpotia-it oiSit.
PLAN OF THE THEATRE
Pausanias a remarks, that •• they inter their dead much in the same manner as the other Greeks; but
when the body has been covered with earth, they surround it with a low wall with columns, which
support the top, resembling the pediments of temples, and do not put any inscription on the tomb."
It is not improbable that Polycletus, a Sicyonian by birth, may have erected in the manner of his
country a tomb to some distinguished individual, or perhaps to a countryman, who may have visited
the Hieron in the unavailing hope of being relieved from some fatal malady by the interposing influ-
ence of the god.
Fig. 5. and 6. Plan and section of a reservoir or fountain built of fine large blocks of stone
covered with a thick and strong cement: this was probably one of the works constructed at the ex-
pense of the munificent Antoninus. The water from the basin on Mount Cinortion was led in con-
duits into the nearest reservoir, and thence distributed, by branch pipes, to the various edifices within
the sacred precinct. Many of these conduits are to be traced among the ruins ; they are formed of
two stones, one upon the other, with a circular channel in the middle, as though formed for the re-
ception of a leaden pipe.
Of the other edifices enumerated by Pausanias, the stadium is still remaining, though in a
very dilapidated state : there seems to have been twenty-one seats, of which eighteen can now be
traced, having the same form as those of the theatre, placed immediately upon the artificial embank-
ment mentioned by the ancient traveller. One staircase is perceptible on either side, not opposite
each other, and, on the north side, a passage about six feet wide under ground, affords ingress into
the arena, which was about seventy-eight feet wide: the whole width appears to have been about 200
feet, and between 3 and 400 feet of the length are distinguishable independent of the circular end.
Near the stadium are extensive ruins, among which a heap, composed of many fragments of Corinthian
capitals, shafts of Greek Doric columns, and various caissons. Near the enriched pediment of Fig.
IV. to the eastward, are the stones of a circular building, very possibly the tliolus. The indications
of such extensive remains seem to point out this sacred precinct as containing many valuable
marbles, still buried but a few feet under the soil, and which would amply reward any well directed
excavations.
PLATE III.
PLANS AND DETAILS OF A THEATRE AT DRAMYSSUS NEAR
JOANNINA IN ALBANIA.
At about seven miles to the south-west of Joannina, the capital of Albania, are some ruins near
a village called Dramyssus. These fragments lie on a small mount rising in the middle of a plain,
surrounded by mountains; that, at the foot of which the mount lies, being called Olitzca by the inhabit-
ants. On the summit of this mount is the citadel or acropolis, whose soil, now cultivated by the
husbandman, represents a varied surface of terraces rising one above the other. Below the Acropolis
at the south angle is the theatre, which, as well as the citadel, is built of the stone found near the spot,
"worked together with the greatest care without cement. The whole of the constructions would have
been preserved even till this time much more entire than they are, but the soil entering between the
blocks and the rock on which they lie, has produced a vegetation, which by degrees has forced the
stones out of their former situation. Two entrance gates and long lines of walls of inferior construc-
tion, which enclosed the lower city, still remain, but offer no regular outline : near the north gate is
Cormtmaca, C. VII. a^toi Si £iy.tw«oi TO mXXa. eoikot» ™V» xiotctf IXHaTuat, xai lit airoT; lvi6vfia ttokwi mto Toi; asTou?
twrouo-i. To fA.it o-wpa. yy H^ivTova-^, ?u6oy SI £7roiKooViio-a»TEs KgwrlSa, paXta-rci -iov<; h to':'; tao7r 'f7riygafiij.a i\ uXXo ph iiriy^cclpotia-it oiSit.