348 



ISTHMUS OF CORINTH. 



being in this part about six Greek miles in width. On the road from 

 Corinth to Cenchrese the harbour of the city on the Saronic gulf, are 

 two Roman sepulchres of masonry, and faced with tesselated brick 

 work ; the position of Lechaeum, as well as of Cenchrese is sufficiently 

 marked by traces of stone foundation in the sea, which formed the 

 inclosure of the harbour ; these ports are now almost entirely filled 

 up and destroyed; and capable only of admitting the very small boats 

 of the country. 



Considered in a military point of view, the isthmus renders the 

 Morea extremely secure against any attack meditated on the land 

 side from Greece ; but on the two coasts there is a very favourable 

 shore for debarkation, and accessible in every part ; the gulf of 

 Lepanto or Corinth indeed being very narrow and contracted at its 

 entrance, though it afterwards expands into an extensive bay, is 

 capable of the strongest defence ; the Saronic or gulf of iEgina is 

 more open, and an invading squadron might anchor in this sea 

 without any fear of opposition from the land. On examining the 

 ground, the ridge of mountains, the ancient Gerania, appears to 

 constitute the best and most tenable barrier of the isthmus towards 

 Greece ; the Scironian road leading from Megara may readily be 

 destroyed ; an impracticable rocky height thus extends from one sea 

 to the other, presenting only in one instance a passable gorge, the 

 present road into the Peloponnesus, which may be defended by a 

 handful of men against the most formidable invader. Cannon judi- 

 ciously planted in this part would ensure the safety of the isthmus, 

 for the whole ground in front, consisting of rugged uneven heights, 

 is completely commanded by the mountain. With the Acro-Corin- 

 thus, and the ridge of heights at the south extremity of the isthmus, 

 where are still seen the traces of Venetian field-works, may be esta- 

 blished a second position, not so strong, and more extended than the 

 first ; the great advantage of the second post would be in the event 

 of a debarkation on the sides of the isthmus, in the rear of the moun- 

 tainous ridge Gerania. From the shore of the Corinthian gulf little 

 may be apprehended, because the entrance into this sea may be pre- 



