The temple of Zeus at Aegina. Etching by J. Newton after W. Pars.
- Pars, William, 1742-1782.
- Date:
- [1797]
- Reference:
- 2141831i
- Pictures
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"The temple of Jupiter Panellenius is of the Doric Order, having six columns in front. It has twenty-one of the exterior columns yet standing, with the two of the front of the pronaos and posticum, and five of the number which formed the ranges within the cell. The entablature, except the architrave, is fallen. The stone is of a light-brownish colour, much eaten in many places, and by its decay witnessing a very great age. Some of the columns have been injured, by boring to their centres for the metal. In several, the junction of the parts is so exact, that each seems to consist of one piece. Digging by a column of the portico of the naos. we discovered a fragment of fine sculpture: it was the hind part of a greyhound, of white marble; and belonged, it is probable, to the ornaments fixed on the freeze; which has a groove in it, as for their insertion. I searched afterwards for this remnant, but found only a small bit, with some spars; sufficient to shew that the trunk had been broken and removed. The temple was inclosed by a peribolus, or wall, of which traces are extant. We considered this ruin as a very curious article, scarcely to he paralleled in its claim to remote antiquity. The situation, on a lonely mountain at a distance from the sea. has preserved it from total demolition, amid all the changes and accidents of numerous centuries."—Chandler, op. cit., p. 16
The Doric columns of the temple are mostly in good shape, though some straggly ruins of the temple stand around the columns. Two men next to the temple dance the romaika, the Greek national dance, while another sits and watches them. The romaika is danced by many performers in a circle who jump from one foot to the other
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