The Monuments of Athens; An Historical and Archaeological Description (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884. Excerpt: ... commander was preparing to cannonade the Christians assembled about St. Demetrius, an explosion ensued which destroyed the entablature of the eastern stoa. That on the western side remained intact not only until 1656, when it was seen by Spon and Wheler, but even until 1687, when the engineer Bernadas sketched it after Morozini's siege. When Athens became free, the Propylaea came into her possession without a roof. But when once the surrounding soil was excavated and cleared of its later walls, as much as possible of its ancient form was restored to it. The Temple of Wingless Victory. On the southern brow of the Acropolis hill, to the right as we ascend to the Propyls, stands the small, but very graceful Temple of Wingless Victory. This temple is of Pentelic marble and of the Ionic order; it now stands on its original site, and is all but perfect. It is perched on a tower-like eminence which was of old called a tower; and the statue of the Three-shaped Hecate of Alcamenes which stood in it was called the Epipurgidias.f This tower (or pyrgos) on which the temple stands, consists of a wall of light marble (TMpivos), built in equal courses. But towards the top, on its N. and W. side, the marble pavement terminates in a little projection, thus forming a tiny cornice. All the upper surface of the tower stands at the same level as the foundation of the Propylasa. This temple stands upon a base 3 feet high, and is 27 feet long from E. to W., and 18 feet broad. The height of the columns, including their bases and capitals, is 13 feet, their Paus. Att. xxii. 4. t Paus. Corinth, xxx. 2. diameter at the base is o 5 2 m., and at the top o 43 m. The whole height of the temple from the base to the summit of the pediment is 23 feet. This temple is amphiprostyle and t...