SKETCHES OF PALESTINE. 395 



In a few minutes we passed a ruined aqueduct of Roman architec- 

 ture, and pitched our tents at the bottom of the lull, nearly oppo- 

 site to its unworthy successor, a poor village of the same name; 

 having travelled this day about nine hours.' This makes the dis- 

 tance from Khan Leban about twenty-seven miles, but, allowing 

 for deviations from the direct track, twenty-four miles, and sixteen 

 hours, or forty-eight miles, from Jerusalem. Josephus, however, 

 makes it but one day's journey from the capital.* It is six miles 

 beyond Napolose ; and if the distance of the latter place is correct- 

 ly given by our authorities, it cannot exceed forty miles. 



Sebaste is the name which Herod gave to the ancient Samaria, 

 the imperial city of the ten tribes, in honor of Augustus (Sebastos) 

 Ca3sar, when he rebuilt and fortified it, converting the greater part 

 of it into a citadel, and erecting here a noble temple. ' The situa- 

 tion,' says Dr. Richardson, 'is extremely beautiful, and strong by- 

 nature; more so, 1 think, than Jerusalem. It stands on a fine, 

 large, insulated hill, compassed all around by a broad deep valley ; 

 and when fortified, as it is stated to have been by Herod, one 

 would have imagined that, in the ancient system of warfare, 

 nothing but famine could have reduced such a place. The valley 

 is surrounded by four hills, one on each side, which are cultivated 

 in terraces up to the top, sown with ^rain, and planted with fig 

 and olive trees, as is also the valley. The hill of Samaria likewise 

 rises in terraces to a height equal to any of the adjoining moun- 

 tains. 



'The present village is small and poor, and after passing the 

 valley, the ascent to it is very steep. Viewed from the station of 

 our tents, it is extremely interesting, both from its natural situation, 

 and from the picturesque remains of a ruined convent, of good 

 Gothic architecture. 



'Having passed the village, towards the middle of the first 

 terrace, there is a number of columns still standing. I counted 

 twelve in one row, besides several that stood apart, the brotherless 

 remains of other rows. The situation is extremely delightful, and 

 my guide informed me, that they belonged to the serai, or palace. 

 On the next terrace there are no remains of solid building, but 

 heaps of stone and lime and rubbish mixed with the soil in great 

 profusion. Ascending to the third or highest terrace, the traces of 

 former buildings were not so numerous, but we enjoyed a delight- 

 ful view of the surrounding country. The eye passed over the 

 deep valley that encompasses the hill of Sebaste, and rested on the 

 mountain beyond, that retreated as they rose with a gentle slope, 

 and met the view in every direction, like a book laid out for peru- 

 sal on a reading-desk. This was the seat of the capital of the 

 short-lived and wicked kingdom of Israel ; and on the face of 

 these mountains the eye surveys the scene of many bloody conflict! 

 and many memorable events. Here those holy men of God, Elijah 



* Josephus Antiq. book XT. chap. 9. f Ibid. 



