|
CNIDUS
Cape crio, feared by ancient mariners, marks the western extremity of the headland that protects the harbor of cnidus, an ancient city now excavated to reveal some of its former grandeur. The city’s greatest claim to fame was its statue of naked aphrodite sculpted by the renowned praxiteles, reportedly the first to show full frontal nudity of the goddess.
Needless to say, visitors flocked to view this tourist attraction well into the imperial roman period - and the world discovered that ‘sex sells’! Unfortunately not only this statue is long gone, but so are many other statues and artifacts; in 1857-58 Sir Charles Newton removed hundreds, shipping them to the british museum in london. Nevertheless, cnidus still presents an impressive sight – especially on a moonlit night.
|
