figures at all, but by the Greek word ὀκταϛάδιον[1], which requires more than the change of a tingle letter to metamorphoſe it into ἐννεαϛάδιον.
Teſtimonies concerning the length of the ſtadium drawn from the meaſures of ancient buildings. The meaſures of ſome of the ancient buildings may he applied towards aſcertaing the length of the ſtadium, as well as that of the foot.
Pauſanias tells us, that the Peribolus, or wall[2] ſurrounding the court was at moſt[3] four ſtadia in circumference. The dimenſions, according to Mr. Stuart, are as follows:
| Feet. | Inches | Dec. of Inceh. | ||||
| Length | 688 | 6 | 5 | |||
| Breadth | 463 | 5 | 37 | |||
| 1151 | 11 | 87 | ||||
| 2 | 2303 | 11 | 74 |
equal to 2286 Greek feet nearly, which are one-nineteenth part and a half ſhort of four Olympic ſtadia; but nevertheleſs ſufficiently coinciding with the expreſſion of Pauſanias, ſuppoſing he meant Olympic ſtadia; but not if he meant ſtadia of the dimenſions aſſigned by Mr Rennel.
- ↑ Ptolemy aſſigns only 500 ſtadia to a degree, or eight ſtadia and one-third to a minute, or 60 Roman miles, at 625 feet to the ſtadium. Geogr. cap. vii. A Greek or Roman mile is about 75 to a degree on the equator; of courſe 600 ſtadia would be the proper number.
- ↑ Pauſnias, lib i.
- ↑ The words of Pauſauias are, ϛαδίων μάλιϛα τεσσάρων ἐϛίν which means, at moſt or near four ſtadia. Conſt. Lexic. et Steph. Theſaur. Vox μάλιϛαι.
The
