The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-08-14
Athens.

]
them TO surrender so that he might not
be compelled to destroy it, the invaders
of Greece may have had some appreci-
alton of these ancient landmarks and
spared them. While much has been de-
stroyed there is still much to be seen that
will recall the classics of Thucydides,
Nexophon, Herodotus, PythagoraS, De-
mosthenes, Socrates, Phocion; Prax-
ltelos and Phidias. A cave in the hillside
is pointed out as the place where Socrates
was confined as prisoner before he drank
the fatal hemlock. A stone platform
reached by flight of three or four stone
steps called the PnyX, where political
assemblies were held, and some of the
greatest orations ever listened to were
delivered, The famous tower Of the
Winds, with its Doric columns and num-
erous inscriptions is another interesting
place to visit. The Dipylon, which stands
at the beginning of the way to E'eusis, is
worthy ofstudy, as it also dates back to
the time of Pericles.
The Theater of Dionysos, or Bacchus,
at the south side of the Acropolis is re-
markably well preserved. Here were
given representations of the tragades
and comedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles,
Euripides and Aristophanes. The stage
is Of stone and marble, as is also the rest
of the Theater, and is supported in front
by mythological figures carved in mar
Bile. \ space in front OF the stage is re-
served for the musicians, and the first
row of seats for the priests, each seat
still bearing the name of that particular
deity the priest served. These seats all
have backs and arms. The other seats,
which are also of stone, are elevated, to
the rear and circular in form, the whole
constituting a half circle. This dates
back to Lycurgus in the fourth century
B. c. Lying just close by, at the base
of the Acropolis, is another ruin called
the Odeion Of Herodes Atticus. In gem
eral construction it is like the theater
only that the front part was built up Of
brick and iron three stories high much of
which is still in place, and seems to have
been covered by roof of wood. Here is
where the great musical contest between
the different choruses were held. The
victor was permitted to erect Choragic
monument bearing Tripod, with suita-
hle inscriptions. This Choragic Tripod,
whether on a monument in apubhc place
or in house, usually bore the names of
the chief Archon, the director of the
Chorus, the poet who composed the ver-
ses and the musician who ACCOMPANIED
the songs with his flute. One of these. of
Lysicrates, still stands in public square
and bears the marks of great age upon it.
Two other monuments of a similar char
acter were found at the base cf the Aero
polls when they were clearing away the
debris that had fallen from the buildings
above.
Modern Athens is not without its
place of interest. Rich citizens living
abroad have contributed much to build
and beautify their native city, and make
it a place of interest to students of every
land. Without attempting description
there might be meutioned the Academy
of Science, the University, the Museum
which is rich in ancient Greecian an
tiquities, the library and the Polytech
mic Institute. 1t is hoped the request
King George has made to the different ma
tons TO return to Greece the many rare
and valuable relics that have been car
ried away will be complied with.
We had time to make one excursion
outside of the city and this was to Eleu-
sis. Here was one of the most famous
temples ofGreece where the sacred mys-
teries were performed. What these mys-
teries we're has never been known except
to those initiated into the sacred rites.
They took place annually and were per-
formed with great pomp and show. The
procession formed on the Acropolis and
marched the distance of eight or ten
miles at night, along what was called the
Sacred Way. The foundation of this
temple which stands not far from the sea-
shore, has been uncovered and indicates
a very large and gorgeous structure.
Tiers of seats are exposed that have been
cut out of the solid rock. This drive was
a delightful one and gave us an oppor-
tunity to see something of the life of the
country people. On the way we passed a
very old church in which was some fine
Mosaic work, Along the way we're long
rows of the century blant growing wild.
Numerous stems were seen ten to fifteen
feet high and four to six inches through
upon which the plant had bloomed.
was sorry not TO see flower but it seemed
too late in the season for that. We also
passed soldiers camp situated on a
beautiful hillside. The soldiers were at
drill and looked like fine lot of men.
The hills as we approached the sea were
covered with wood of different kinds
that looked like either pine or cedar.
None of it had attained any considerable
size but was sufficient to break the mo-
notony of bare hills to which we had
been so accustomed.
The roads here were much superior 10
any we had seen. the people seemed
fairly prosperous, were contented and
happy, and always courteous and polite.
J.V. MCANINcH.
May Is, 1901.
Hnus. Th;,D