DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1031#0240
214 ANCIENT GATE AND PORT. [CHAP. XXVII.
In the wall near the theatre is an old postern,
surmounted by a pointed arch formed in approaching
horizontal courses, in the same manner as the arches
in the galleries at Tiryns. We trace the walls of
the Acropolis stretching for a considerable extent over
two rugged hills, which rise to the north-east of the
theatre. The style and massiveness of this postern,
and of these walls, afford clear evidence of the great
antiquity and local importance of Thoricus.
The harbour of Thoricus, now Porto Mandri, lies
on the south side of the citadel. It has the repu-
tation of being an excellent place of refuge, both in
a northerly and southerly gale: it is a semi-circular
bay, half a league in breadth, from north to south:
its anchorage is completely sheltered by the long
island of Macri, the ancient Helena, which was well
described as
<£>povpa irap aKTrjv Terafxevt], vijcrov \ey<o'
'E\ep)j to \oittop ev ftportns Ke/cXj/treTtu1.
StretcKd as a rampart by the shore, an isle,
Which shall henceforth the name of Helen bear.
There is one great defect here, as in this district
generally, the scarcity of fresh water.
Thoricus was principally remarkable, in early Athe-
nian history, as the residence of Cephalus. He died
here, and, as it seems, while in the prime of life;
1 Eur. Helen. 1683.
In the wall near the theatre is an old postern,
surmounted by a pointed arch formed in approaching
horizontal courses, in the same manner as the arches
in the galleries at Tiryns. We trace the walls of
the Acropolis stretching for a considerable extent over
two rugged hills, which rise to the north-east of the
theatre. The style and massiveness of this postern,
and of these walls, afford clear evidence of the great
antiquity and local importance of Thoricus.
The harbour of Thoricus, now Porto Mandri, lies
on the south side of the citadel. It has the repu-
tation of being an excellent place of refuge, both in
a northerly and southerly gale: it is a semi-circular
bay, half a league in breadth, from north to south:
its anchorage is completely sheltered by the long
island of Macri, the ancient Helena, which was well
described as
<£>povpa irap aKTrjv Terafxevt], vijcrov \ey<o'
'E\ep)j to \oittop ev ftportns Ke/cXj/treTtu1.
StretcKd as a rampart by the shore, an isle,
Which shall henceforth the name of Helen bear.
There is one great defect here, as in this district
generally, the scarcity of fresh water.
Thoricus was principally remarkable, in early Athe-
nian history, as the residence of Cephalus. He died
here, and, as it seems, while in the prime of life;
1 Eur. Helen. 1683.