IV.

minaret. Another imperfect legend is upon a CHAP. stone in the same building, also noticed by Wheler: they were moreover both published by his companion Spon3. The name of the city occurs in these inscriptions, variously written,ΠΟΛΙΣ ΛΕΒΑΔΕΩΝ, and ΛΕΒΑΔΕΙΕΩΝ. From the fortress we observed the bearings of Charonéa and Orchomenus.

CHERONÉA bears north and by east, and is distant from LEBADEA one hour and a half.

ORCHOMENUS, east-north-east, distant from LEBADEA two hours.

of Lebadéa.

The commerce of LEBADEA is very conside- Commerce rable. It carries on a thriving trade, in the exportation, even to London, of corn and cotton, and of currant-raisins: the last article it sends from Patras. Its own port is Aspropiti, antiently ANTICYRA. The wine of ORCHOMENUS is also sold here it is as good as old hock, having a similar flavour, but with less acidity: it is sometimes as limpid and colourless as the clearest

(2) See Journey into Greece, pp. 327, 328. Lond. 1682, (3) Voyage de Grèce, et du Levan', tome II. pp. 266, 267. à la Haye, 1724.

IV.

CHAP. spring water. The honey of LEBADEA is sent to the Grand Signior's seraglio; but in our opinion it was much inferior to the honey of ATHENS. We had brought some of the Athenian honey with us: they were both placed upon the table of the archon, to be compared: that of ATHENS was paler, but as clear as crystal; and so inspissated, that it might be cut with a knife.

EXCURSIONS FROM LEBADÉA, TO CHERONÉA AND ORCHOMENUS.

The Author visits a Village called Capranû-Aspect of PARNASSUS-Ruins of CHERONEA-InscriptionsAqueduct Theatre-Acropolis-Battles of Charonéa -Tomb of the Thebans-Sceptre of AgamemnonAntiquities at the Church of Capranû-Marble Cathedra-Five Inscriptions upon one Tablet-Visit to a Village called Romaiko - Remarkable Bas-reliefVisit to Scrept-River MELAS-Tomb of HesiodRuins of OBCHOMENUS-Archaic Inscriptions-Hieron of the Graces-Inscriptions relating to the Charitesian Games-Observations on the Eolian Digamma —

Homoloña

Homoloïa Sophocles of Athens mentioned as a Victor in Tragedy-Later Inscriptions-Hieron of Bacchus Sciathericum of the antient City-Greek Epigram thereby illustrated-Treasury of Minyas-Proof of the antiquity of Domes in Architecture-Acropolis of Orchomenus-Condition of the present inhabitantsSuperstition respecting certain stones-Return to

Lebadéa.

CHAP. ON

V.

N Thursday, December the tenth, we made an excursion across the plain, from Lebadéa; and passing a bridge, took a north-west direction, towards some hills, over which we rode, following the antient paved way to CHERONÉA. Descending these hills, we crossed a rivulet, and entered the Plain of Cheronéa; thus divided from that of Lebadéa, but resembling the latter in its beauty and fertility. It extends from east-south-east to west-north-west; being about two miles in breadth, and ten or twelve in length, Aspect of This plain is bounded towards the north-west and west by PARNASSUS, which entirely closes it in on that side, and exhibits one of the boldest and most striking barriers in nature, visible the whole way from Lebadéa; its sharp ridge alone being covered with snow, but all below appearing in bleak and rugged masses of limestone, of a grey aspect, except the base, which is covered with shrubs and coppice. PARNASSUS

Parnassus.

V.

universally bears, at present, the name of CHAP. Lakúra: it stands, to all appearance, solitary; as if it suffered no other eminence to dispute with it the smallest portion of that sanctity, which originally extended over every part of

the mountain'.

Caronéa.

The Ruins of CHERONEA are on the western Visit to Cuprana. side of this plain: a village called Capranú now occupies part of the site of the antient city; distant only two hours, about six miles, from Lebadéa. The antiquities we discovered, in and Ruins of about the village, are decisive as to the city to which they belonged. The first is an inscrip- Inscription respecting the inhabitants of CHERONEA. It was found upon a marble, in the corner of a small chapel at Capranú, and proved highly interesting to us at the moment of our arrival among the ruins of the city. It states, that "THE SENATE AND PEOPLE OF THE CHARONÉANS HONOUR THE EMPEROR MACRINUS."

ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΑ

ΜΟΝΟΑΛΙΟΝ

CEBHPONMAKPEINON

CEBACTONHBOY

ΛΗΚΑΙΟΔΗΜΟΣ

ΧΑΙΡΩΝΕΩΝ

(1) Ιεροπρεπής δ' ἐστὶ πᾶς ὁ Παρνασσός. Strab. Geog. lib. ix. p. 604.

ed. Oron.

tions.