Palestine and Syria; Handbook for travellers - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 Excerpt: ... of them with rudely executed busts on the architraves. Some of these chambers also contain sarcophagi, while other sarcophagi lie scattered along the slopes of the hill. These are richly adorned with garlands and busts of Apollo and genii; the lids are drafted at the corners and sloped sharply upwards. They are used by the fellahin, an indolent race from the Ghor, as receptacles for corn and other stores.--To the "W. of these caverns we come to a Theatre, the upper parts of which have fallen in. A good survey of the ruins is obtained hence. We observe another and larger theatre farther to the W., about 360 paces distant. This theatre, built of basalt, is on the whole well preserved, but the stage is covered with rubbish. The aristocratic quarter of the town extended from the theatre towards the W., along the foot of the bill, on a level plateau about ityt M, in width. Many heaps of hewn stones and fragments of columns lie scattered about. The capitals of the latter were Corinthian. Substructions of buildings are also traceable, and in many places the ruts of carriage-wheels are still visible on the basalt pavement.--Still farther W. lies a modern cemetery, and on the slope of the hill here we enjoy a charming view of the Jordan valley. From Muxes To Bet Ras, 31/2 brs. "We follow the ancient conduit (Kandt Fiiaun) which is visible at intervals along the route and comes from Der'dt. According to Arabian historians, it was constructed by the Ghassanide king Jebeleh I. and was 60 M. in length. After I1/2 M. we pass on the right the ruined temple of El-Kabu, with a magnificent view. We continue to ride along the heights eastwards. For some time we have a view of Irbid on a long mountain-ridge to the S.E., while a little to the N. of it, on the highest...