IS 2 



The National Geographic Magazine 



full-grown man. Around this opening 

 in the earth there was a balustrade about 

 50 feet in circumference. From the 

 earth there issued a species of smoke 

 which was so thick that one could 

 scarcely distinguish the earth which was 

 enclosed within the balustrade. The 

 vapor did. not molest those who ap- 

 proached when the weather was suffi- 

 ciently calm to enable it to rise in a 

 column in the air. If an animal, such 

 as a bull, were put in, it died imme- 

 diately. 



Strabo further says that he often 

 tested the powers of the Plutonium by 

 causing sparrows to fly into it. They 

 invariably died the moment they came in 

 contact with the smoke. 



It is probable that the Plutonium in 

 ancient times was situated at some place 

 between the theater and where the 

 springs rise up today, although, as has 

 been said, there is now no trace of it to 

 be found. Another version is that it 

 was destroyed by the Christians in the 

 early part of the fourth century. Again, 

 it is claimed that in Roman times, or 

 about 250 A. D., when the city was at 

 the height of its splendor, the Plutonium 

 and the warm springs were one and the 

 same thing; that is, in other words, the 

 warm water flowed out of the moujh of 

 the Plutonium itself. Be that as it may, 

 the whole question seems now, more or 

 less, to be one of mere speculation. 



the; warm springs 



The warm springs of Hierapolis are 

 still noted for their healing qualities, 

 especially for rheumatism. Even today 

 the nomads of Asia Minor come and 

 pitch their tents within the ruins, and 

 remain for months at a time in order to 

 enjoy the waters. 



A bath in these springs is a never-to- 

 be-forgotten luxury, something no trav- 

 eler denies himself when visiting the 

 place, a thing in itself which well repays 

 the hardships of a journey thither. 



Among the peasants who live in the 

 village of Edscheli, at the foot of the 

 falls, there exists the belief that in a cer- 

 tain part of the pool there is no bottom. 

 This belief has been handed down from 



generation to generation. It is easy to 

 account for this conviction among the 

 peasants, because there are spots in the 

 basin which are certainly very deep. 

 Apart, however, from this, the edges and 

 bottom of the basin have another pecu- 

 liar interest. 



As far as the eye can see through the 

 clear water, the bottom is literally cov- 

 ered with heaps of ruins. Immense pil- 

 lars and marble slabs with interesting 

 inscriptions lie one upon the other, and, 

 as nearly as can be judged, all are in a 

 perfect state of preservation. The pro- 

 tecting waters have thus far prevented 

 the stone-cutter from tapping this in- 

 viting mine. 



The temperature of the water is 91 

 degrees Fahrenheit, and it remains so 

 during the entire year. The water is 

 not unpleasant to the taste, but it is prob- 

 ably just as well if one refrains from 

 drinking much of it. The springs are 

 sulphurous, and this leads one to think 

 that there is some truth, after all, in the 

 statement that the waters flow from the 

 mouth of the ancient Plutonium. The 

 waters are also highly carbonate, the gas 

 continually escaping. The only vegeta- 

 tion upon the terrace is some small sea 

 grass which immediately surrounds the 

 basin. Wisps of the same, coming into 

 contact with the water, have been com- 

 pletely petrified, and may be gathered as 

 mementos. 



The Thermae, or baths of Hierapolis, 

 were erected with wonderful precision 

 and care, and remind one of similar 

 structures still to be seen at Rome. They 

 consist of immense halls and lofty arch- 

 ways. There must have been huge 

 swimming tanks filled with running 

 water from the near-by springs. It is 

 difficult to conceive of more splendid 

 baths, either in ancient or modern times, 

 than those of Hierapolis must have been. 

 The building probably dates from the 

 reign of Antoninus Pius. The marble 

 facing has long since been removed. 



THE THEATERS AND MAUSOLEUMS 



In traveling over this country one can- 

 not fail but be impressed with the mag- 

 nificence of the theaters once erected by 



