Page:Travels & discoveries in the Levant (1865) Vol. 1.djvu/293

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IN THE LEVANT.
241

tecture of a good period are inserted. Among these are two pieces of cornice, each 6 feet long and about 6 inches deep. It is evident that these architectural remains originally belonged to the external facade of the tomb. In this church is an interesting inscription114 which tells us that this monument commemorates a certain Charmylos, and makes mention of a temenos round it, with gardens and small temples (οἰκία), dedicated to the hero Charmylos and the twelve gods.

According to Ross, this tomb is still called 'στὸ Χαρμύλι. I could not, however, learn whether this name had been handed down by tradition from the time of the ancients, or whether it had not been rather suggested at some recent period by the discovery of the inscription in the church. The name Charmylos occurs in another inscription at Cos. This monument is a very interesting example of the class of architectural tombs which were erected in the Macedonian period. It serves now as a sheep-pen. At Pyli is a castle placed on a nearly inaccessible rock. I tried to scale it, and met a hare in so very narrow and steep a place, that fearing he would trip me up, I drew up respectfully to let him pass. Below the castle is the village of Palaio Pyli, now utterly deserted, the walls of the houses still standing in roofless desolation. The modern village is scattered about. I found but few inscriptions here. From Pyli we went to Antimachia. The country between these two villages is rich, but only partially cultivated. Indian corn is principally grown here.