Page:History of Art in Phrygia, Lydia, Caria and Lycia.djvu/71

 SlPYLUS AND ITS MONUMENTS. 55 their public rites. 1 The two rocky ledges at either end of the ridge overhanging the courts were as two gigantic altars on which sacrifices were offered in the light of day, coram fopulo. As to the bcetylus, the object of such homage, its rocky frame and double wall were sufficient protection against the weather, and, owing to the narrow entrance, the vast majority of the vulgar throng could be kept out, and none but the select few allowed to enter. Was this the " Hieron of Mother Plastene," specified by Pausanias, and due to the early settlers on Sipylus, the same which the Greek colonists of Smyrna continued to surround with religious awe ? In that case we must believe the report that the highest summit of the lamanlar-Dagh, northward of it, was called the "throne of Pelops." 2 One of the faces of this particular peak towards the apex is broken off, and forms a ledge with a far-off resemblance to a gigantic seat. Its appellation was due to its peculiar shape, which was likely to strike the fancy of a primitive people ; instances of which are to be found all over the world. Thus in many a French district are hills popularly nicknamed Chaises de Gargantua? Not to omit any item on this side of Sipylus, it remains to notice two fragments of fortified enclosures. One is found eastward of the necropolis which contains the Tantaleis tomb, on the lowest spur of the mountain, but close to it. It covers a much larger area than the citadel, and has its angles protected by round towers. To be brief, examination of the sites and of the walls leads to the conclusion that we are confronted by the Acropolis of the Smyrna of Homer. 4 The second enceinte is found on the road which goes across the Belcaive Pass, along the valleys of the Nif Chai and the Hermus, beyond the Sipylus barrier. It is the old road which from the remotest antiquity was followed by the inland trade of Smyrna, down to the opening of the railway (Fig. 7). North of the pass rises a conical hill, isolated from the mountain range on the south, and thus rendered a conspicuous object from every point of the Bournabat plain. On the summit are distinct traces of old 1 With regard to the Syrian b&moth, see Hist, of Art, torn. iv. ch. v. s. 2. 2 Consult WEBER, Le Sipylos, pp. 30, 31. He remarks that the monuments referred to by Pausanias are all near the old road, which from Cordelio runs across the lamanlar-Dagh to Menemen in the Hermus valley, and is still used by the natives when the country is flooded. 8 Arthur's Seat, near Edinburgh, and many more will occur to the reader. TRS.
 * WEBER, loc. cit., pp. 25, 26, Plate I.