CHAPTER XVI.

KERTCH.

Approach to Kertch—The Cimmerian Bosphorus—Russian conquest of Kertch in 1771—Its rise since 1833—Its chance of becoming the emporium of trade for the Sea of Azof—Russian authorities—Ancient church—Kertch, the ancient Panticapæum—Acropolis—Arm-chair of Mithridates—Allée of Tumuli on Theodosian road—The Tumulus a sign of Milesian occupation—Contents of Tumuli on Theodosian road—Etruscan vases at Kertch—Burial-places of the poor—Tomb of the Pigmies—The Catacombs—The Tombs of the Kings—The Golden Mountain—The rich discoveries at Kouloba—Description of the contents of the Tomb—Pillaged by the people—Probably that of Leucon I., or Paerisádes I.—The Museum—Myrmékium—Mud volcanoes—Naphtha springs—Cape Akboroun—Nymphæum—Herring fishery—Opouk, the ancient Kimmericum 255