Athens

1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun.

Athens, Athenae, one of the most antient and most noble Cities of Greece, the Capital of Attica. Built by Cecrops an Aegyptian, A. M. 2350. according to Helvicus in 2390. the last of which Accounts precedes the going up of the Children of Israel out of Egypt, 64 years. It was governed by Kings to the Death of Codrus, A. M. 2882. under Archons for Life, till 3190. after which it had Archons for ten years, till the year of the World 3268. when it became a perfect Republick, and had never more any rest or peace till it fell into the hands of the Kings of Macedonia first, and afterwards of the Romans. About 3430. Xerxes invading Greece, the Athenians burnt their own City, and sent their Wives and Children into the Islands of the Mediterranean: prevailing afterwards against that great Prince, they built the City much more gloriously than before. The Reputation they gain'd in this War made them great at home amongst their Neighbors; till growing proud and injurious, their Neighbors became their Enemies, so that they fell into the Hands of the Lacedemonians, who ruin'd their Walls, A. M. 3546. They recovered their Liberty, but not their Reputation; and in 3613. they fell into the hands of Philip the Father of Alexander the Great; who, by being made the General of a Holy War, became the the Sovereign of all Greece. The Romans conquering Perseus, the last King of Macedonia, A. M. 3782. they became in some sort the Subjects of that Empire; yet under the Romans they had a shadow of Liberty, till the Mithridatick War, when being over-persuaded by Aristion, an Epicurean Philosopher, they incensed the Roman Powers against them; and Sylla, in the year of the World 3863. 86 years before the Birth of our Saviour, by a Siege reduced them to the necessity of eating Man's Flesh, and took the City by storm in the Night. This was the Evening of all their Dominion, Glory and Liberty. But in this Interval, between their becoming a free and a subject People, they raised themselves to a greater degree of Glory by Learning, than ever they could have required by Arms, without it. Solon, who lived a little before the Babylonian Captivity, and became the Athenian Legislator about the 3359th year of the World, laid the Foundations of this, which Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Xenophon, Thucydides, Demosthenes, Isocrates, and the rest that followed, raised to such an height, that Athens was truly more the Mistress of the World on the account of Arts, than ever Rome was on the score of her Arms; and tho both their times are past, yet Athens, being Dead, speaketh still in her Philosophers, Orators and Historians. To pursue her Fate, she rose out of her Ashes after the Syllian Ruin by the favour of the Romans; and flourished, till Alaricus the Goth, laid her in the Dust, under the Reign of Valens, about the year of Christ 378. She recovered again under Theodosius, Arcadius and Justinian; Eudocia the Queen of Theodosius II. being an Athenian by Birth, as Irene the Lady of Leo IV. also was. About 1435. Antonius Comnenus Acciajolus was Duke of Athens; about 20 years after she fell the second time into the hands of the Turks, being taken by Mahomet II. since which last Captivity, not only her Flesh but her Skin is wasted, and she is become a Skeliton. An. 1687. the Venetians having taken Napoli di Romania in the Morea, arrived at Port Lione, (that is, the Harbor of this Town, formerly called Pyraeus) September 21. with the Fleet, commanded by General Morosini: the Greeks immediately sent their Deputies with the Tenders of their Submission to him. The Turkish Garrison, being about 600 Men, retired to the Castle, to make some resistance; but were forced to surrender in two or three days after the Besiegers began to play their Batteries, tho the Castle was strong, seated upon the old Acropolis with Precipices on three sides of it, a Wall on the other, and 20 Pieces of Canon within. About 300 Souls embraced the Christian Religion, with the Christian Government. The famous Temple of Minerva being made a Magazine for Amunition, was set on fire by a Bomb, that fell among the Stores in the Attack. Some Remains of Lycurgus's Tower, of Phidias and Praxiteles's curious Works are yet to be seen. And the Athenians excelling all others throughout those Countries, in Merchandise and Crafts, may be thought to retain some Seeds of their former Politeness still. To this City, St. Paul Preached the Gos¦pel of Christ and the Resurrection as we read Act. 17. Publius and Quatratus were Bishops of it under the Emperor Adrian: the former suffered Martyrdom in the Year 123, and animated great numbers of Athenians by his death, to embrace the like with courage and joy. The latter, together with Aristides, presented that Emperour at his coming hither in the Year 126, with an excellent Apology for Christianity. Since advanced to an Archbishoprick. They reckon about 10000 Inhabitants, most Christians, in it; who have •oo Churches, and divers other Chappels, according to the Rites and Customs of the Graecians.

Now call'd Setino, lying in Long. 50. 12. Lat. 38. 51. //Paris Meridian was used in the book

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Athens, now Setines, the Capital City of Attica, anciently a Kingdom, the chief seat of Learning and Valour, taking its rise An. M. 2496. and continuing 487 years, under 17 Kings, the 1st whereof was Cecrops, and the last Codrus Son of Melanthus. After that they were Governed by 10 Archontes, or Rulers, during Life; then by Archontes for 10 years; and at last by Annual Praetors. Draco first gave 'em Laws which were too severe, then Solon instituted milder, introducing Democratical Government, in 160 of Rome, and 594 before Christ. Thirty four after Pisastratus usurp'd the Soveraignty; and though twice Banish'd, left the Power, after 18 years Reign to his two Sons Hippias and Hipparque, who held it 14 years, until Harmodius and Aristogiton, of the Family of Alcmeon, sworn Enemies to Pisistratus, kill'd Hipparque in the 241 of Rome; Hippias was Banish'd in 244. He invited the Persians, who in 264 lost the Battel of Marathon, and 10 years after were defeated at Sea, near the Isle Salamine, now call'd Caluri. After this advantage the Republick of Athens flourish'd extreamly, and became as fruitful in great Commanders and Learned Men as any of the whole Universe. The Lacedemonians Jealous of its greatness, rais'd it Enemies, all Greece engag'd in the Quarrel. This was the first Peloponesian War, begun by the Thebans by the taking of Platea that belong'd to the Athenians, and ended 27 years after in the taking of Athens by Lysander General of the Lacedemonians in the 350th of Rome, who settled 30 Tyrants to govern it, which were expell'd by Thrasibule in 353, and Democracy reestablish'd by Pausanias. Thus it grew powerful again, and not only maintain'd a War against the Thebans and Spartans, but also against Rhodes and it's strong Ligue. In 416 Philip of Macedon after he had gain'd the Battle of Cheronee intended to have levell'd Athens, but was disswaded by the Orator Damades. It suffered under Alexander the Great, and after his death more under Antipater, Craterus, and Cassander. D•metrius made it free again, but being refus'd shelter there after his defeat in Phrygia, he invested and made himself Master of the Town after a years Siege in 158 of Rome. Some time after it shook off the Macedonian Yoke, and put it self under the Protection of Rome: Until Aristion making himself Tyrant thereof, irritated the Romans, who took and plunder'd it under Sylla in the 667th of Rome, and 87th before Christ. After this Pompey permitted it the use of it's Laws, for which Kindness it declar'd for him against Caesar, who after the Battel of Pharsale, when he had power to punish his Enemies, said, Truly the Athenians deserve to b• chastis'd, yet in consideration of the merit of the dead, I pardon the living. In fine, Athens was one of the most famous and flourishing Cities in the World, all was magnificent in it, and worth the admiration of Posterity. The Areopage, the Lyceum, the Acad•my, Portique, Temples, and other fine Buildings are well describ'd in the Works of ancient Athors. St. Paul Preach'd here, and several Persons of Note embraced Christianism, as D•nis the Areopagite, and a Noble Lady call'd Damaris. And after that the Church of Athens became very considerable, for in the II Century a great number of the Athenians suffer'd Martyrdom, animated by the Example of their Bishop Publius. This happen'd in 123, under Adrian, who came to Athens in 126. This City was afterwards erected into an Archbishoprick. Their Victories, Captains, and Famous Philosophers, see in their proper places.

Athens, now call'd Setines in Achaia, is defended by a Citadel call'd Acropolis, inaccessible on every side, save the West, seated in the middle between two Hills; the one call'd Musaeum within Cannon Shot; the other Anchesmus, which has no place to mount great Guns on, being spired like a Sugar Loaf, and having no more compass on the top, save that in which St. George's Chappel is built, the place where formerly the Statue of Jupiter was worshipp'd. The City is North of the Citadel, and so cover'd by it, that it can hardly be seen on that side next the Sea; well situated, and wealthy, though in a hot Climate, which is temper'd by the North Winds. The Inhabitants are about 10000, Greeks and Turks, the latter have 4 Mosques in the City, and one in the Castle. The Citizens are reckon'd Treacherous and Cunning, whence the Proverb, From a Jew of Salonica, a Greek of Athens, and a Turk of Negropont, good Lord deliver us. They speak Greek and Turkish promiscuously, and differ only in Habit, which the Greeks wear closer on their Bodies. Their Women, who seldom stir abroad, cover their Heads with a Veil of Calico, and throw over 'em a large Crimson Velvet or Violet colour'd Mantle with their Silver Clasps. The Maids never go abroad till their Wedding day, being courted by Proxies. Upon their Nuptials they wear a large Crown of Filigram and Pearls, and are led from Church to the Bridegrooms House, with Hauthoys, Drums, and other Musical Instruments playing before 'em. The Archbishoprick of Athens is not worth above 4000 Crowns a year, wherefore most of the Jesuits are retired to Negropont: But the Consuls of France and England keep each of 'em a Chappel here. The Soil about it is fruitful in Wine and Olives, especially those call'd Colymbades, reserv'd for the Grand Signior's own eating, being large and well tasted. The Castle stands on the North, on a descent from the City, in which is a magnificent, large white Marble Temple, supported with beautiful Pillars of Black Marble and Porphyry. On the Frontispiece are the Figures of Horsemen as big as the Life, prepar'd for Combat. Round about it are to be seen the Noble Atchievements of the ancient Greeks in Basso Relievo, every Figure almost two foot and an half high. Close by this Temple is a Beautiful White Marble Palace much decay'd. At the foot of the Castle are 17 Columns, (18 foot about, and proportionable in height) the remainder of 300, which they say, formerly belong'd to the Palace of Theseus. Over the Portal, yet entire, is this Inscription in Greek:

This Ancient City of Athens is certainly the City of Theseus.

And another within, thus:

The City of Athens is the City of Adrian, and not of Theseus.

Here is also the Fanari or Lantern of Demosth•n•s, whither he retired to Study in privacy. It is a small Marble Tower, with 6 Columns round it, and a Lamp with 3 Branches over the Duome which covers it, whence perhaps it was called The Lantern: supposed to have been Dedicated to Hercules by the several Figures set in the Frizes thereof combating in Lyons Skins. Here are also the Ruines of the Areopagus, whose Glacis or Senate House, 40 paces long, is supported by vast Pieces cut out of the Rock, and pointed like a Diamond: In the midst whereof is a kind of Speakers Chair cut out of the Rock, with Seats round it for the Senators. Add to these the Remains of the Temple of Victory, built after the Jonic Order, where the Tarks lay their Powder; The Arsenal of Lycurgus, and the Temple of Minerva, both of Dorick Order. It was taken by Mahomet II. in 1455, but regain'd by the Venetians in 1687. Tavernier Voyage de Perse, Spon. Voyage d' Italie, Coronelli descrip. de Morce.