DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4692#0030
ASSOS. 21
this structure was not erected for a church, as it has no narthex, nor a bema of sufficient depth,—nor any-
other of the characteristic marks of a Greek church. It was evidently a basilica used for civil purposes. {See
Explanation of Plates.) It is quite possible that it may have been eventually used for ecclesiastical purposes,
but it was not originally destined for a church.
We afterwards ascended the hill of the Acropolis by a paved road, following a zigzag course. The
castle stands about six or seven hundred feet above the town. It was rebuilt in Byzantine times, and there
are few, if any, traces of the original fortress built by Lysimachus. Within the citadel there are many
heaps of ruins: the only one the character of which was evident, was that of a Corinthian temple, which
stood in the centre of the enclosure. The substructure, which was vaulted, was entire, and around it lay
fragments of fluted columns and capitals. Excavations to a considerable depth had been made round it
by treasure-seekers. At first I had some hope that some valuable architectural evidences might have been
brought to light by these diggers, but I found that every sculptured stone that had been disinterred by them
had been broken to pieces by them in the expectation of discovering hidden gold.
On our return to the town, we found a young Greek at the house, who had been at Smyrna, and
who could speak French; he kindly volunteered to accompany us on a visit to the Mudir, whom we found
sitting in the konak of the Cadi, engaged with him in the administration of justice. The Mudir advised
us to take guards when we proceeded on our road to Smyrna, as that part of the country was very unsafe.
This I consented to do for the first time, for the neighbourhood of Pergamus had a bad reputation even at
Smyrna. Our new acquaintance also accompanied us to the amphitheatre, the ruins of which are the finest
remaining here. It is of Roman times, and is one of very few existing in Asia Minor; for the Greeks were
never so much devoted to the sports of the arena as their conquerors. The situation is peculiar, as the
amphitheatre was built over a ravine, at the bottom of which formerly ran a stream which passed through
the centre of the oval, and was doubtless used for naumachia.
October 5th — We left Pergamus in company with two Zebecks, sent by the Governor to act as guards.
Our road at first lay due south through an uncultivated plain. After three hours' ride we ascended a low
range of hills, passing by a settlement of expatriated Circassians. We then passed through Kasikcui,
where I dismissed the guards with a baksheesh. The Mudir of the place urged mo to take another escort;
but we had had so much trouble with the first,—for they often lagged behind and wished to halt at unreasonable
times, that I declined.
We descended to the shores of the Gulf of Sanderlik, passing Elaea, where I purchased the torso
before mentioned, and took up our quarters for the night in a barn at the scala, as the weather was
too stormy for our tent to be safe. The next morning the inhabitants endeavoured to deter us from
proceeding, by circumstantial accounts of there being eight men behind a ruined mill two or three miles
on the road, who were there for the purpose of waylaying us. They had been making inquiries about the
road we should take, and about our time of starting.
We proceeded, however, without paying any attention to the reports, which were either inventions
or exaggerations, skirting the shores of the gulf and passing close to the sites we had visited in our first
excursion,—Grynium, Myrina, and Cyme;—we also saw in the distance the town of Guzel-IIissar, said to be
the site of Aegvc. After six hours' ride we turned eastward, following a road parallel to, but at some distance
from, the Gulf of Smyrna. We were unable to reach Menimen that night, and therefore encamped at the
village of Davakeui. In the morning we proceeded on our journey, examining some Hellenic foundations on
the left of our road on the way. We then forded the Hermus, about two miles from Menimen, a cheerful
picturesque town, the site of Temnus. It was sunset before we reached the scala opposite to Smyrna, but
fortunately wo were able to avail ourselves of the kindness of a gentleman who had a Smyrna caique there,
and who offered to take us across the gulf.
Amongst various coins of Mysia and the Troad obtained by me from peasants and others arc tin
following:—
Assos.—/E 3. Ilelmeted head of Pallas. AZSI. A recumbent griffin, monogram, and youth's head.
Cebrene.— >*E 5. Wreathed head of female, to right KE. Rev. Head of ram ; below, a bird.
/E 1. Similar head KE. Rev. Head of ram.
/E 1. Similar head KE. Rev. Monogram.
GAitGAitA— /E 3. Wreathed head of Apollo. Horse galloping to right; below, laurel-leaves.
/E 1. Same type.
Gergitus— K. 1. Head of Apollo, wreathed with laurel. Rev. TEP. Sphinx seated to right.
Lampsacus.—Of Augustus. /E 4>.
Pergamus.—fL. Cistophori—2 silver, 1 copper, and various others.
G
this structure was not erected for a church, as it has no narthex, nor a bema of sufficient depth,—nor any-
other of the characteristic marks of a Greek church. It was evidently a basilica used for civil purposes. {See
Explanation of Plates.) It is quite possible that it may have been eventually used for ecclesiastical purposes,
but it was not originally destined for a church.
We afterwards ascended the hill of the Acropolis by a paved road, following a zigzag course. The
castle stands about six or seven hundred feet above the town. It was rebuilt in Byzantine times, and there
are few, if any, traces of the original fortress built by Lysimachus. Within the citadel there are many
heaps of ruins: the only one the character of which was evident, was that of a Corinthian temple, which
stood in the centre of the enclosure. The substructure, which was vaulted, was entire, and around it lay
fragments of fluted columns and capitals. Excavations to a considerable depth had been made round it
by treasure-seekers. At first I had some hope that some valuable architectural evidences might have been
brought to light by these diggers, but I found that every sculptured stone that had been disinterred by them
had been broken to pieces by them in the expectation of discovering hidden gold.
On our return to the town, we found a young Greek at the house, who had been at Smyrna, and
who could speak French; he kindly volunteered to accompany us on a visit to the Mudir, whom we found
sitting in the konak of the Cadi, engaged with him in the administration of justice. The Mudir advised
us to take guards when we proceeded on our road to Smyrna, as that part of the country was very unsafe.
This I consented to do for the first time, for the neighbourhood of Pergamus had a bad reputation even at
Smyrna. Our new acquaintance also accompanied us to the amphitheatre, the ruins of which are the finest
remaining here. It is of Roman times, and is one of very few existing in Asia Minor; for the Greeks were
never so much devoted to the sports of the arena as their conquerors. The situation is peculiar, as the
amphitheatre was built over a ravine, at the bottom of which formerly ran a stream which passed through
the centre of the oval, and was doubtless used for naumachia.
October 5th — We left Pergamus in company with two Zebecks, sent by the Governor to act as guards.
Our road at first lay due south through an uncultivated plain. After three hours' ride we ascended a low
range of hills, passing by a settlement of expatriated Circassians. We then passed through Kasikcui,
where I dismissed the guards with a baksheesh. The Mudir of the place urged mo to take another escort;
but we had had so much trouble with the first,—for they often lagged behind and wished to halt at unreasonable
times, that I declined.
We descended to the shores of the Gulf of Sanderlik, passing Elaea, where I purchased the torso
before mentioned, and took up our quarters for the night in a barn at the scala, as the weather was
too stormy for our tent to be safe. The next morning the inhabitants endeavoured to deter us from
proceeding, by circumstantial accounts of there being eight men behind a ruined mill two or three miles
on the road, who were there for the purpose of waylaying us. They had been making inquiries about the
road we should take, and about our time of starting.
We proceeded, however, without paying any attention to the reports, which were either inventions
or exaggerations, skirting the shores of the gulf and passing close to the sites we had visited in our first
excursion,—Grynium, Myrina, and Cyme;—we also saw in the distance the town of Guzel-IIissar, said to be
the site of Aegvc. After six hours' ride we turned eastward, following a road parallel to, but at some distance
from, the Gulf of Smyrna. We were unable to reach Menimen that night, and therefore encamped at the
village of Davakeui. In the morning we proceeded on our journey, examining some Hellenic foundations on
the left of our road on the way. We then forded the Hermus, about two miles from Menimen, a cheerful
picturesque town, the site of Temnus. It was sunset before we reached the scala opposite to Smyrna, but
fortunately wo were able to avail ourselves of the kindness of a gentleman who had a Smyrna caique there,
and who offered to take us across the gulf.
Amongst various coins of Mysia and the Troad obtained by me from peasants and others arc tin
following:—
Assos.—/E 3. Ilelmeted head of Pallas. AZSI. A recumbent griffin, monogram, and youth's head.
Cebrene.— >*E 5. Wreathed head of female, to right KE. Rev. Head of ram ; below, a bird.
/E 1. Similar head KE. Rev. Head of ram.
/E 1. Similar head KE. Rev. Monogram.
GAitGAitA— /E 3. Wreathed head of Apollo. Horse galloping to right; below, laurel-leaves.
/E 1. Same type.
Gergitus— K. 1. Head of Apollo, wreathed with laurel. Rev. TEP. Sphinx seated to right.
Lampsacus.—Of Augustus. /E 4>.
Pergamus.—fL. Cistophori—2 silver, 1 copper, and various others.
G