The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-14

Biologists inform lis that all this region
was in the ages of the dim past uhder Tue
water which receded, and during TINS Seconu
period these cities were built. 1t IS plainly
visible to the less profound student oil thiS
misty past that the plain sank after the i"n
of the Roman Empire; for on the Dlack lia,-
BILE columns of Jupiter Scraps tiny sheii-
fish has clearly written the fact OF the nun
dation by its burrowing into the very heart
of the solid marble, Beginning at the fourth
foot from the sandy bed, the whole surface
of the columns is honeycombad up as hlgh
as the tenth foot, and one can easily PICK
out the little crusty huts, which were lett
when these destroyers were themselves de-
stroyed by being lifted out of their native
element. Some volcanic force must have
raised these ruins from their watery grave,
though not to their former level, as mosalcs
are found six feet under water, and for
half-mile beyond the beach STRUCTURES OF
stone are clearly seen beneath the wave.
Lying about are heaps of broken statutes,
fine Corinthian capitals, and fragments OF
shafts of Verde antique, African and Chip
polini marbles, which give some adequate
luGt VI UllSllldl bCduOg VI bANpS ONihSSos
The amphitheatre is one of the earliest
built in an elliptical form, the invention of
which is said to have originated during
close political campaign in Rome. Scaurus
and Curio were rival candidates, represent
ing the two-patrician and plebian-factions
for the Senatorship. Scaurus had plenty OF
money, and gave succession of grand theat-
Yical entertainments, and on these occasions
Toasted 5000 of his constituents each day in
the tents on his grounds. Curio resorted to
various ingenious schemes to outwit him.
At last he conceived the idea of inviting the
people to witness two displays at the same
time, given in small wooden theatres At
the close of the first exhibition the specta-
tors were astonished to find themselves and
the arena with all its appointments slowly
turning around, until both audiences faced;
at once a new entertainment was put upon
the scene, which was followed by success
sion of surprises. Thus by catering to the
popular love of novelty, Curio carried the
day, and was proclaimed Senator with great
applause, while his wealthy opponent had
spent his gold for naught in extravaganza
Hastings and gorgeous spectacles. The new
theatre was such great success that this
architectural form was adopted generally
throughout Greece.
Walking under the massive arches which
sustained this colossal structure, and its vast
concourse of actors, spectators, wild beasts,
and ships, was like passing along the great
arcades of modern European cities. Here
we saw the old water gates, which were lift
ed to feod the arena, and the passages
through which the slaves dragged the gal
leys, when the emperor wished for a naval
spectacle the parties in their sham
conflicts often fought unto death. The water
to float these galleys was brought through
branch of the Julian aqueduct. We could
count five distinct divisions of seats, where
the people were seated by their rank. Nero
had such passion for these games that he is
said to have worn mask and entered into
hand-to- hand conflicts with the common
gladiators ou this stage. 1t was in this am
phitheatre that tradition locates the impris-
onment of St.sJanuarius, and his miraculous
deliverance from the jaws of the lions; but
his prosecutors did not change their minds
when they saw the lions did not consume
their victim, as the simple Maltese peasants
did about Paul, who reasoned, because the
viper did not attack him as murderer, he
must indeed be god; for they soon after
pursued the poor soul unto martyrdom. A
dissenting minister has explained the mira
Gle of the lions curbing their ferocious appe-
titles, when a dinner of fresh meat was set
before them, by saying that the old saint
was altogether too tough for them.
When the barbaric Saracens sacked Rome,
and devastated all these lovely cities, they
hurled the pillars into the cellar, lest the
Romans might rally their forces and convert
them into barricades of defence.
Only small portion of the cellar has been
excayated, but many of the fine statues in
the museums came from here. 1t is surpris
ing to find that these lofty domes are packed
as solid as terra-frma with debris and dust,
in which plants and trees are growing We
saw where the Saracens put in beams to
make sheds for their horses. The best Of the
loose material in these ruins was worked,
during the medieval ages, into cathedrals.
palaces, and civic buildings.
M. G. P. B.