Page:Travels & discoveries in the Levant (1865) Vol. 1.djvu/55

Rh choice of this spot for the site of the Temple of Am- phiaraos, suggesting the belief that it was here that he disappeared,

The secluded character of this glen, and the beauty of the scenery, would present many attractions to the invalid; and, doubtless, like the temples of Æsculapius and other healing divinities, this temenos must have served in antiquity as a kind of hospital and watering-place.

The picturesque character of the spot and the abundance of fresh water probably led the ancients to associate with the worship of Amphiaraos in this site that of Pan and the Nymphs. It may be presumed that this temenos was once very rich in inscriptions, for many fragments have been used in the construction of houses at Kalamo and Mavrodhilissi.

The peasants spoke of the speedy destruction of those still remaining as a probable event, and, there- fore, on my return to Athens, I made a report on the subject to Sir T. Wyse, and also to M. Rhangabé, in the hope that through their representations the Greek Government might be induced to take steps for the preservation of these interesting monuments.

As it rained during most of the time of our visit to Mavrodhilissi, I had great difficulty in copying the inscriptions, and found it impossible to explore the site properly. Excavation here would probably lead to interesting discoveries.

In the 3rd century before the Christian era, the