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surmounted by a figure resembling a mason’s level, the angle being a right one.
Shaw is of opinion that the ram’s head indicates that the city was under the immediate protection and influence of Jupiter Ammon.[112]
Tortis cornibus Ammon.
Lucan, l. ix. p. 519.
At some period after Bruce’s visit, as he does not indicate it, the Arabs have filled up the doorway with a smaller ogival arch, which has contributed to strengthen the ancient one and ensure its preservation. Perhaps it was intended for this purpose; if so, they were more careful in those days than they are now, as not the slightest care is taken to preserve any of the Roman remains throughout the Regency.
The great interest of the place to the traveller is its vicinity to the springs from which the aqueduct is supplied; the distance is about a mile and a half, and there are two paths, one of which the traveller would do well to take in going and the other in returning. The first passes to the south of the delicious valley which runs east and west behind the town, and close to the spring Ain Ayat, which is the cause of its fertility; the other follows its northern border between it and the hill on which the shrine of Sidi Hashlaf is built. This valley is richly cultivated, and produces great quantities of fruit trees; the waters of Ain Ayat are also used to turn a few flour-mills.
The great source however, which flows into the aqueduct, issues from a spot a little further on, where are situated the remains of a charming Roman temple, known to the natives by the name of El-Kasbah, or the fortress.
Bruce, in his notes, dismisses this very unjustly with the following remark:—