DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1004#0213
NATURAL THEATRE OF IKEOTIA.
171
converge, as it were, to the centre of the circle, are its Vije ; the semi-
circular area itself may be considered as the Orchestra of the Theatre:
nor is it unworthy of observation, that this is the precise title which was
given to it by ancient geographers, who, on account of its having been the
field of so many battles, called it,—in the Greek though not in the more
modern acceptation of the term,—the Orchestra of Mars. In the same
manner, the western line of the Copaic Lake may be called its Pulpitum, or
Stage. On the grounds, therefore, which we have stated, we speak of this
district, which from its great importance in the annals of Greek history
deserves especial regard, as the natural Theatre of Boeotia.
We have referred in general terms to the conflicts which gave celebrity,
and communicated a peculiar appellation, to the plain which lies at the feet
of these five cities. From its position at the mouth of the valley of the
Cephissus, and from its other local advantages, as well as from the richness
of its soil, the plain of Orchomenus was frequently, from the earliest ages of
Greek history, the seene of military operations, especially in the struggles of
that city with its neighbour and rival Thebes.
The name of ChjEron/ea is connected with that last and fatal effort which
the City of Athens, at the instigation of Demosthenes, made in conjunction
171
converge, as it were, to the centre of the circle, are its Vije ; the semi-
circular area itself may be considered as the Orchestra of the Theatre:
nor is it unworthy of observation, that this is the precise title which was
given to it by ancient geographers, who, on account of its having been the
field of so many battles, called it,—in the Greek though not in the more
modern acceptation of the term,—the Orchestra of Mars. In the same
manner, the western line of the Copaic Lake may be called its Pulpitum, or
Stage. On the grounds, therefore, which we have stated, we speak of this
district, which from its great importance in the annals of Greek history
deserves especial regard, as the natural Theatre of Boeotia.
We have referred in general terms to the conflicts which gave celebrity,
and communicated a peculiar appellation, to the plain which lies at the feet
of these five cities. From its position at the mouth of the valley of the
Cephissus, and from its other local advantages, as well as from the richness
of its soil, the plain of Orchomenus was frequently, from the earliest ages of
Greek history, the seene of military operations, especially in the struggles of
that city with its neighbour and rival Thebes.
The name of ChjEron/ea is connected with that last and fatal effort which
the City of Athens, at the instigation of Demosthenes, made in conjunction