DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4692#0012
INTRODUCTION.
Texier to explore Asia Minor and Persia. M. Texier spent several years in these countries. He passed
through Bithynia and the central provinces, and returned to Constantinople, afterwards visiting Mysia, iEolia,
Caria, and Lycia. He made careful detailed drawings of all the finest monuments existing in the country.
These were published by the order and at the cost of the French Government, upon his return to Europe,
in three folio volumes. The engravings were by the best artists, and executed at great cost. On account of
the great expense of the work, it has not been generally accessible; consequently the beautiful edifices illustrated
in it have not been studied as much as they deserve.
A second Expedition was undertaken by M. Texier, for the purpose of removing the friezes of the Temple
of Diana Leucophryne at Magnesia ad Majandrum. This operation was successfully performed. The vase of
Pergamus and the frieze of the Temple of Neptune at Assos also were then obtained for the collection of
the Louvre.
In 1835, Mr. Hamilton, Secretary to the Geological Society, in company with Mr. Strickland, an eminent
geologist, thoroughly explored the coast of the Black Sea as far as Trebizond, then penetrated to Kars, and
passed through the interior of the country, following a zigzag course, so as to traverse a great space of
ground. In the two volumes published by Mr. Hamilton we find the most careful journal of observations made
by any traveller. His astonishing accuracy must strike every one who has in any way followed in his steps.
Other travellers visited the coast at various times. The most distinguished of these was, without doubt,
Mr. Layard ; but his attention was devoted almost exclusively to Assyrian antiquities, and he but cursorily
notices the ruins of later times. Amongst other travellers was Sir Charles Eellowes, who went from Con-
stantinople to Adalia, visiting Aizani, Sagalassus, and other important sites by the way. He then skirted the
coast of Syria as far as Patara, in the neighbourhood of which town he discovered the important remains of
the city of Xanthus. He afterwards journeyed northwards to Smyrna by way of the valley of the Macander.
After his return to England, he represented to the trustees of the British Museum the desirability of removing
the Xanthian marbles. An Expedition was consequently dispatched under Captain Graves, Sir Charles Eellowes
volunteering to accompany it. The fine tombs and sculptures now in the Lycian room of the British Museum
were then brought away. Sir Charles Eellowes' travels and his notes of the Expedition are well known.
During the sojourn of the Expedition on these coasts, three members of it — Lieutenant (now Captain)
Spratt, Professor Forbes, and the Bev. J. Daniell—explored Lycia thoroughly, and made plans of all the
principal ruined towns. The results of their labours were made public in two very interesting volumes.
Mr. Amsworth, who accompanied the Euphrates Expedition in the capacity of geologist, was enabled to
explore most of the eastern provinces of Asia Minor, and his narrative of his various journeys, containing
precise and accurate descriptions of the ruins he visited, is one of the most pleasing books of travels in this
part of the East that we possess.
In 1852, Mr. C. Newton, now keeper of Greek and Boman antiquities at the British Museum, was
appointed Vice-Consul at Mitylene, chiefly in the interest of art and archaeology. He thoroughly explored most
of the islands, and frequently visited the mainland, where he made many interesting discoveries. It had
been ever his ambition to discover the site of the sepulchre of Mausolus, king of Caria, which was considered
one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In 1855 he visited Budrum, and there found traces of fine
Greek sculpture sufficient to induce him to ask assistance from the Government, which was at once granted.
A ship of war, the Gorgon frigate, an officer of the Boyal Engineers, Lieut. Smith, and a detachment of
sappers, were dispatched to aid him in his operations. In the month of January, 1857, he had the satisfaction
of ascertaining without doubt that he had come upon the site of the Mausoleum, and before the expiration
of the year he had obtained sufficient architectural data to determine the plan of the monument and its
general dimensions; and he had brought to light the magnificent series of sculptures now in the British
Museum. In December, 1857, Mr. Newton proceeded to Cnidus, for the purpose of thoroughly exploring that
ancient city, the ruins of which had been visited by Sir William Gell and the second Mission of the Dilettanti
Society. Here he made excavations on the site of the Temple of Venus, at the Lion Tomb, the lower theatre,
and the temenos of Hecate.
During the years 1857-58, Mr. Newton and Lieut. Smith were enabled to explore the whole of that part
of Caria, from Labranda and Euromus to the Bay of Marmarice, opposite the island of Bhodes.
Amongst other discoveries made was that of the ruins of the Temple of Hecate at Lagina, with the sculpture
slabs of its frieze in tolerable preservation. Lieut. Smith identified the site of Labranda, where was situated
the celebrated Temple of Jupiter; and Mylasa, Myndus, Bargalia were visited, and the island of Cos was
thoroughly explored. Mr. Newton also visited the ruins of the Temple of Apollo Branchidfc, and brought from
the Sacred Way which led to it the series of figures now in the corridor of the British Museum.
In 1857 I was sent out by the Government to join the Expedition, with which I remained a year. During
this time I visited Budrum and Cnidus, explored the island of Cos, and upon my way home visited the site
of Troy and Thessalonica.
Texier to explore Asia Minor and Persia. M. Texier spent several years in these countries. He passed
through Bithynia and the central provinces, and returned to Constantinople, afterwards visiting Mysia, iEolia,
Caria, and Lycia. He made careful detailed drawings of all the finest monuments existing in the country.
These were published by the order and at the cost of the French Government, upon his return to Europe,
in three folio volumes. The engravings were by the best artists, and executed at great cost. On account of
the great expense of the work, it has not been generally accessible; consequently the beautiful edifices illustrated
in it have not been studied as much as they deserve.
A second Expedition was undertaken by M. Texier, for the purpose of removing the friezes of the Temple
of Diana Leucophryne at Magnesia ad Majandrum. This operation was successfully performed. The vase of
Pergamus and the frieze of the Temple of Neptune at Assos also were then obtained for the collection of
the Louvre.
In 1835, Mr. Hamilton, Secretary to the Geological Society, in company with Mr. Strickland, an eminent
geologist, thoroughly explored the coast of the Black Sea as far as Trebizond, then penetrated to Kars, and
passed through the interior of the country, following a zigzag course, so as to traverse a great space of
ground. In the two volumes published by Mr. Hamilton we find the most careful journal of observations made
by any traveller. His astonishing accuracy must strike every one who has in any way followed in his steps.
Other travellers visited the coast at various times. The most distinguished of these was, without doubt,
Mr. Layard ; but his attention was devoted almost exclusively to Assyrian antiquities, and he but cursorily
notices the ruins of later times. Amongst other travellers was Sir Charles Eellowes, who went from Con-
stantinople to Adalia, visiting Aizani, Sagalassus, and other important sites by the way. He then skirted the
coast of Syria as far as Patara, in the neighbourhood of which town he discovered the important remains of
the city of Xanthus. He afterwards journeyed northwards to Smyrna by way of the valley of the Macander.
After his return to England, he represented to the trustees of the British Museum the desirability of removing
the Xanthian marbles. An Expedition was consequently dispatched under Captain Graves, Sir Charles Eellowes
volunteering to accompany it. The fine tombs and sculptures now in the Lycian room of the British Museum
were then brought away. Sir Charles Eellowes' travels and his notes of the Expedition are well known.
During the sojourn of the Expedition on these coasts, three members of it — Lieutenant (now Captain)
Spratt, Professor Forbes, and the Bev. J. Daniell—explored Lycia thoroughly, and made plans of all the
principal ruined towns. The results of their labours were made public in two very interesting volumes.
Mr. Amsworth, who accompanied the Euphrates Expedition in the capacity of geologist, was enabled to
explore most of the eastern provinces of Asia Minor, and his narrative of his various journeys, containing
precise and accurate descriptions of the ruins he visited, is one of the most pleasing books of travels in this
part of the East that we possess.
In 1852, Mr. C. Newton, now keeper of Greek and Boman antiquities at the British Museum, was
appointed Vice-Consul at Mitylene, chiefly in the interest of art and archaeology. He thoroughly explored most
of the islands, and frequently visited the mainland, where he made many interesting discoveries. It had
been ever his ambition to discover the site of the sepulchre of Mausolus, king of Caria, which was considered
one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In 1855 he visited Budrum, and there found traces of fine
Greek sculpture sufficient to induce him to ask assistance from the Government, which was at once granted.
A ship of war, the Gorgon frigate, an officer of the Boyal Engineers, Lieut. Smith, and a detachment of
sappers, were dispatched to aid him in his operations. In the month of January, 1857, he had the satisfaction
of ascertaining without doubt that he had come upon the site of the Mausoleum, and before the expiration
of the year he had obtained sufficient architectural data to determine the plan of the monument and its
general dimensions; and he had brought to light the magnificent series of sculptures now in the British
Museum. In December, 1857, Mr. Newton proceeded to Cnidus, for the purpose of thoroughly exploring that
ancient city, the ruins of which had been visited by Sir William Gell and the second Mission of the Dilettanti
Society. Here he made excavations on the site of the Temple of Venus, at the Lion Tomb, the lower theatre,
and the temenos of Hecate.
During the years 1857-58, Mr. Newton and Lieut. Smith were enabled to explore the whole of that part
of Caria, from Labranda and Euromus to the Bay of Marmarice, opposite the island of Bhodes.
Amongst other discoveries made was that of the ruins of the Temple of Hecate at Lagina, with the sculpture
slabs of its frieze in tolerable preservation. Lieut. Smith identified the site of Labranda, where was situated
the celebrated Temple of Jupiter; and Mylasa, Myndus, Bargalia were visited, and the island of Cos was
thoroughly explored. Mr. Newton also visited the ruins of the Temple of Apollo Branchidfc, and brought from
the Sacred Way which led to it the series of figures now in the corridor of the British Museum.
In 1857 I was sent out by the Government to join the Expedition, with which I remained a year. During
this time I visited Budrum and Cnidus, explored the island of Cos, and upon my way home visited the site
of Troy and Thessalonica.