452 THESSALONICA. 
CHAP, of the sculpture is executed in the marble of 
XI 
I / - Mount Pentelicus: probably, therefore, it was 
brought from Athens; for the columns are of 
Cipolino marble. These double alto-relievos are 
made to sustain the upper architrave of the 
Caryatides, attic, after the manner of Caryatides : it consists 
of three pieces, the joints being over the two 
middle Caryatides. If this building were not 
intended, as we have supposed, for a Propylceum 
to the Hippodrome (which was consistent with 
the taste and customs of antient Greece), it 
may possibly have been part of a square in- 
closure for an agora, or forum ; but even in 
this case it must appear to have been one of 
the entrances to the same. Beaujour thinks 
it was erected in the time of Nero; and he 
considers the alto-relievos as the finest pieces 
of Grecian sculpture that have escaped the 
ravages of time and of barbarians '. The figures 
are as large as life. Many attempts have been 
made, both on the part of the English and 
French, to get them removed ; but the Turkish 
Pasha, to whom applications were made for 
this purpose, would not give his consent. The 
diameter of the Corinthian columns equals 
(l) Tableau du Comni. de la Greee, torn. I. p. 38. Paris, 1800. 
