MAGNIFICENT RUINS OF PALMYRA. 50? 



circumference is proportionable, and on the body of it is a Greek 

 inscription in commemoration of two patriots, by an order of the 

 senate and people, which, with the others of the same and other 

 kinds we may hereafter meet with, we shall pass over for the pre. 

 si-nt, that we may not break in upon the thread of this description 

 The western pillar has another inscription of the like sort; but not 

 quite so perfect as the former. 



Proceeding on from the obelisk or pillar last-mentioned, at the 

 distance of one hundred paces, is a magnificent entrance, vastly 

 largo and lofty, and for workmanship nothing inferior to any piece 

 hitherto described; but unhappily it has suffered the same fate with 

 the rest. This entrance leads into a noble piazza, above half a mile 

 long, and forty feet broad, formed by two rows of stately marble 

 pillars twenty. six feet high, and eight or nine about. Of these 

 pillars one hundred and twenty.nine are standing ; but by a mode- 

 rate calculation they cannot have been fewer at first, than five hun. 

 dred and sixy. Covering over them there is none remaining, nor 

 pavement beneath, that can be seen. Upon most of these pillars 

 are inscriptions in Greek and Palmyrene characters; so that this 

 seems to have been a much frequented and most conspicuous part 

 of the city, aud therefore most proper for the daily and honourable 

 commemoration of such as had deserved well of their fellow-citizens, 

 or friends and relations. And, as if inscriptions were not sufficient, 

 it seems as if here they placed the statues also of celebrated persons ; 

 there being pedestals jetting out from these pillars, sometimes one 

 way, and sometimes more, whereon must have stood statues, which 

 have long ago fallen victims to the furious and barbarous zeal of 

 the Mohammedans ; and upon these pedestals are incriptions, even 

 when none are on the pillar they belong to, and sometimes too 

 when there are. The upper end of this spacious piazza was shnt 

 in by a row of pillars, standing closer together than those on each 

 side ; and perhaps a banqueting.room stood upon them, though no 

 sign of it remains. But, on the left hand, a little farther, appear 

 the ruins of a very stately pile, which may have been of such a kind ; 

 of finer marble than is observed in the piazza, and with an air of 

 delicacy throughout the whole, fur surpassing what is observed in 

 the piazza itself. The pillars which supported this last pile are all 

 of one stone, twenty two feet long, and eight feet nine inches round. 

 Among these ruins is found the only Latin inscription that was seen 

 at this place. 



