TO THE CIMMERIAN BOSPORUS. 
is a square building, having a tower at each 
angle, and is still almost entire. It is difficult 
to conceive for what purpose it was erected; as 
it stands in the midst of a fen, without seeming 
to protect any important point. Is it possible 
that such a building can present the remains of 
Cimmerium, or even the Tmutaracan of the 
Russians, or any work of high antiquity ? On 
account of its form, we should be inclined to 
believe its origin of no remote date: and yet, 
that little has been ascertained of the style of 
architecture used in the earliest periods of 
fortification, may be proved by reference to a 
silver medal, now in the author’s collection, 
which he afterwards found in Macedonia. This 
medal is of the highest antiquity, being rude in 
form, and without any legend or monogram. 
The subject of it exhibits in front, within an 
indented square, the figure of a man, with a 
crowned head, and a poignard in his hand, 
combating a lion; and the reverse, with very 
ljttle difference, may represent the fortress in 
question 4 . 
At the distance of two versts from this fortress 
we saw other ruins, with a few antient and some 
Turkish tombs, and subterraneous excavations. 
(4) See the Vignette to this Chapter. 
