ABSTRACT

In describing the operations round Pylus and Sphakteria, Grote has followed the traditional account, which, in supposed adherence to Thukydidês' exposition, makes the Bay of Navarino and the land around it the scene of all the operations. Grote, indeed, notices one discrepancy between Thukydidês' λιμήν and the modern Navarino Bay-viz., that the entrances to the latter are much wider than Thukydidês admits (the south entrance being really about 1,300 yards). But his explanation, that the physical features of the bay have greatly altered during the last 2,300 years, has been proved untenable; the changes have been shown by geologists to be very slight. The traditional account further omits to notice that Navarino Bay gives very poor shelter, especially before the frequent south-west gales. Dr. Arnold endeavoured to remove these difficulties by identifying the λιμήν with the lagoon of Osmyn Aga, which is well protected from the wind; furthermore, he sought for Sphakteria in the Palæokastro promontory, which lies along the western side of the lagoon, and is connected with the land to the north by a low sand-bar, which he supposed non-existent in ancient times, thus making the headland an island; Pylus would then be the hill of Hagio Nikolo to the north-west of the lagoon.