DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1004#0138
102
APHIDN.E TO RHAMNUS.
To return from these excursions in the regions of the early history of
this country to a survey of the scenery which suggested them—We pursue
our course from Aphidnas (which will be found in the sketch of Attica, inserted
above in the 66th page) in an easterly direction over the high land of Mount
Parnes till we arrive at the sea coast, which is distant about ten miles from the
ruins of that place. The cliffs above the shore present magnificent views of
the channel of the Euripus, and of the bold and rocky coast of Eubcea, sweep-
ing in a varied line, and terminating at the south on the bay of Carystus, and
in the noble summit of Mount Ocha. The country over which we pass in our
way to the sea, and at a little distance from it, is covered with thick clusters of
heath, arbutus, and lentisk: there are scarcely any trees, with the exception of
the mountain-pine and the wild pear; and no human dwelling is visible.
In this solitary scene, at about half a mile from the sea, and three hundred
feet above it, is a rectangular terrace, of which two sides, namely those on
the north and east, are faced with massive blocks of white Pentelic marble,
fitted to each other with the nicest symmetry. The eastern wall is one hun-
dred and fifty feet in length: it rises eight feet above the soil below it, which
slopes gently to the sea.
This terrace was a Sacred Enclosure. On it two temples formerly stood;
they belonged to the city of Rhamnus, which lay below them on a circular
knoll upon the sea shore. The direction in which they were placed was
from north to south; the remains of both are considerable.
Whether they ever existed contemporaneously in a perfect state is a
matter of much uncertainty. Had this been the case, the buildings, as is
APHIDN.E TO RHAMNUS.
To return from these excursions in the regions of the early history of
this country to a survey of the scenery which suggested them—We pursue
our course from Aphidnas (which will be found in the sketch of Attica, inserted
above in the 66th page) in an easterly direction over the high land of Mount
Parnes till we arrive at the sea coast, which is distant about ten miles from the
ruins of that place. The cliffs above the shore present magnificent views of
the channel of the Euripus, and of the bold and rocky coast of Eubcea, sweep-
ing in a varied line, and terminating at the south on the bay of Carystus, and
in the noble summit of Mount Ocha. The country over which we pass in our
way to the sea, and at a little distance from it, is covered with thick clusters of
heath, arbutus, and lentisk: there are scarcely any trees, with the exception of
the mountain-pine and the wild pear; and no human dwelling is visible.
In this solitary scene, at about half a mile from the sea, and three hundred
feet above it, is a rectangular terrace, of which two sides, namely those on
the north and east, are faced with massive blocks of white Pentelic marble,
fitted to each other with the nicest symmetry. The eastern wall is one hun-
dred and fifty feet in length: it rises eight feet above the soil below it, which
slopes gently to the sea.
This terrace was a Sacred Enclosure. On it two temples formerly stood;
they belonged to the city of Rhamnus, which lay below them on a circular
knoll upon the sea shore. The direction in which they were placed was
from north to south; the remains of both are considerable.
Whether they ever existed contemporaneously in a perfect state is a
matter of much uncertainty. Had this been the case, the buildings, as is