ON THE TOPOGRAPHY OF ATHENS. 



511 



this supposition, and for the following reasons, which it will be pro- 

 per to state at some length. 



In the first place, I must observe, that we have proofs of the 

 existence of a Pyraean gate, but none of a Phaleric, (at least of a 

 gate so denominated j) which, if it had ever existed, must have 

 been somewhere between the long walls, and probably as close to the 

 Phaleric wall as the other was to the Pyraean ; and although Pausanias 

 speaks of a gate as you entered the city from Phalerum ; yet, it will 

 be recollected, that he is silent with respect to the southern long wall 

 which had been long demolished ; and that it is the more direct as 

 well as shorter road, which he is describing from that sea-port to 

 the city. 



In the next place, it is a circumstance well known, that the 

 northern long wall was principally efficient in keeping open the 

 communication between Athens and the Piraeus, and it appears upon 

 all occasions to have secured Athens from being closely invested. It 

 was therefore of the most essential importance in either point of view, 

 and not only the first of the two walls which was constructed*, but in 

 all probability the strongest ; and this will explain the reason why so 

 great a part of its foundations are still visible, while nearly all the 

 traces of the Phaleric wall have disappeared. -f- 



I conceive too that the northern long wall wa& provided with some 

 watch towers, while few or none were necessary to the southern. J 

 For the same reason, gates which would have impaired the strength 

 of one of these walls, might not have been incompatible with the 

 use of the other ; and thus it is possible that the city which was 

 least exposed to an attack on the south side, may have had the 



* Vide Andocid. de Pace. 



f Of the southern long wall a small fragment or two only remains, which M. Fauvel 

 discovered by accident in the vineyards. These walls, he says, were parallel, except 

 near Phalerum, and about forty paces asunder, as well as he could recollect without his 

 notes. MS. Journal. 



X I think this may be fairly concluded from the expression of Thucydides, — T« 2e 



