Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-12-25
RIVALS PoNPEli.
Finest Example of an Ancient City
Ever Uncovered.

| Finest Example of an Ancient City
Ever Uncovered.
The recent international archaeological
congress at Rome revived public interest In
the excavations 10 progress In that portion
OF Italy known to Psychologists As SIRE
clan Italy,, so called from the traces OF
Greek settlements when Greece was still
the foremost coionixing nation of the
| earth and had not yet come under the
domination of Rome.
OF all the traces OF dreek civilization in
this part of Italy nothing equals in inter-
est the ruins of the city of Pesto, about
thirty miles south OF Naples. The outside
world knows little of Pcsto, because IL is
out OF the beaten track of the tourist and
no, easily accessible, like Pompeii or other
| buried cities on direct line OF railway
But those who take the trouble to make a
special visit will be astonished to find
some OF the most perfectly preserved re-
mains of an ancient city that have yet been
brought to light.
As the work progresses the whole city In
its original plan is gradually becoming
oatlined-the temples, baths. fountains,
squares, public buildings, private houses
and shops erected by the hand of man
$500 years ago. main street runs
through the city from the northern gate,
skirting several magnificent temples, and
continuing through the southern gate as
high road TO others Grccisn cities or set
Elements on the Mediterranean suast. The
roadway Is paved With massive blocks OF
granite, some OF them ten feet square.
weied together ~ith concrete.
About midway in the city rises a temple
OF pure design, forming a spectacle unique
OF its kind. The massive Corinthian
columns are surmounted by friexe, the
greater part OF which remains intact The
roofing is gone, but sufficient remains TO
reveal one OF the most magnificent editices
of ancient times. Along the main street
are many houses, doorways and other evil
dences OF city life.
Near the temple has been unearthed a
massive altar, such as the Greeks used to
erect Inf front OF their places OF worship.
1t is seventy-iive feet around by twenty
high, aud il scuiptured with heads of
divinities and drinking cups and other
t0st%ee tcASh%AhS w tAN Aht1k fSAAo1 VI
Greek art.
Prof. Victor Spinazzola, director OF the
Naples museum, who also directs the ex-
cayatioiis at Pompeii, has been able to
identity Neptune as the god to whom the
city Was consecrated through its leading
temple, aud the harmony of detail coin
Gliding with this theory has thrown vaiua.
BILE light or certain disputed points Of
heather mythology.
Continuing his research on his own line
of action, the professor struck the other
main street crossings, the first mentioned,
at right angles, and gradually a whole
vista of columns are rising to view In a
line running from east 10 west, broken by
what seems 10 have been a forum near the
centre of the city. Behind the forum are
sumpiuous marble vdifices, side by side, of
varied architecture.
In one OF these a flight of steps leads
into vestibule fianked with statues and
paved with mosiacs and in the centre a
marble fountain OF exquisite beauty. The
period of these buildings is fixed about
the sixth century before Christ, when
Athens was in her full spIendor. This
fact is rather upsetting for the theory that
Rome was the first settlement known in
this part of Italy as eivilizing agency.
The Pesto ruins also show that the city
was In full splendor in later times when
Rome was at the height OF her power.
This Is attested by the numerous statues
OF Roman emperors up to the time of Con-
stsntine which have been successfully
unearthed.
When the excavations have been COM
pleied-whieh, II is hoped, viii be within
the next i've yesrs-Pesro, it is asserted by
the professor, will be tho finest example OF
an ancient city, restored through excava-
TONS " hieh the modern world has seen.