AN ACCOUNT OF COUNTRIES, NATIONS, SEAS, TOWNS, HAVENS, MOUNTAINS,
RIVERS, DISTANCES, AND PEOPLES WHO NOW EXIST OR FORMERLY EXISTED.
CHAP. 1.—THE TWO MAURITANIAS.
The Greeks have given the name of Libya[3232] to Africa, and have
called the sea that lies in front of it the Libyan Sea. It has Egypt
for its boundary, and no part of the earth is there that has fewer
gulfs or inlets, its shores extending in a lengthened line from the
west in an oblique direction. The names of its peoples, and its cities
in especial, cannot possibly be pronounced with correctness, except by
the aid of their own native tongues. Its population, too, for the most
part dwells only in fortresses[3233].
(1.) On our entrance into Africa, we find the two Mauritanias, which,
until the time of Caius Cæsar[3234], the son of Germanicus, were
kingdoms; but, suffering under his cruelty, they were divided into two
provinces. The extreme promontory of Africa, which projects into the
ocean, is called Ampelusia[3235] by the Greeks. There were formerly
two towns, Lissa and Cotte[3236], beyond the Pillars of Hercules;
but, at the present day, we only find that of Tingi[3237], which was
formerly founded by Antæus, and afterwards received the name of
Traducta Julia[3238], from Claudius Cæsar, when he established a colony
there. It is thirty miles distant from Belon[3239], a town of Bætica,
where the passage across is the shortest. At a distance of twenty-five
miles from Tingi, upon the shores of the ocean[3240], we come to Julia
Constantia Zilis[3241], a colony of Augustus. This place is exempt from
all subjection to the kings of Mauritania, and is included in the legal
jurisdiction of Bætica. Thirty-two miles distant from Julia Constantia
is Lixos[3242], which was made a Roman colony by Claudius Cæsar, and
which has been the subject of such wondrous fables, related by the
writers of antiquity. At this place, according to the story, was the
palace of Antæus; this was the scene of his combat with Hercules, and
here were the gardens of the Hesperides[3243]. An arm of the sea flows
into the land here, with a serpentine channel, and, from the nature
of the locality, this is interpreted at the present day as having been
what was really represented by the story of the dragon keeping guard
there. This tract of water surrounds an island, the only spot which
is never overflowed by the tides of the sea, although not quite so
elevated as the rest of the land in its vicinity. Upon this island,
also, there is still in existence the altar of Hercules; but of the
grove that bore the golden fruit, there are no traces left, beyond some
wild olive-trees. People will certainly be the less surprised at the
marvellous falsehoods of the Greeks, which have been related about this
place and the river Lixos[3244], when they reflect that some of our
own[3245] countrymen as well, and that too very recently, have related
stories in reference to them hardly less monstrous; how that this city
is remarkable for its power and extensive influence, and how that it is
even greater than Great Carthage ever was; how, too, that it is situate
just opposite to Carthage, and at an almost immeasurable distance from
Tingi, together with other details of a similar nature, all of which
Cornelius Nepos has believed with the most insatiate credulity[3246].
In the interior, at a distance of forty miles from Lixos, is
Babba[3247], surnamed Julia Campestris, another colony of Augustus;
and, at a distance of seventy-five, a third, called Banasa[3248],
with the surname of Valentia. At a distance of thirty-five miles from
this last is the town of Volubilis, which is just that distance also
from both[3249] seas. On the coast, at a distance of fifty miles from
Lixos, is the river Subur[3250], which flows past the colony of Banasa,
a fine river, and available for the purposes of navigation. At the
same distance from it is the city of Sala[3251], situate on a river
which bears the same name, a place which stands upon the very verge of
the desert, and though infested by troops of elephants, is much more
exposed to the attacks of the nation of the Autololes, through whose
country lies the road to Mount Atlas, the most fabulous[3252] locality
even in Africa.
It is from the midst of the sands, according to the story, that this
mountain[3253] raises its head to the heavens; rugged and craggy on the
side which looks toward the shores of the ocean to which it has given
its name, while on that which faces the interior of Africa it is shaded
by dense groves of trees, and refreshed by flowing streams; fruits of
all kinds springing up there spontaneously to such an extent, as to
more than satiate every possible desire. Throughout the daytime, no
inhabitant is to be seen; all is silent, like that dreadful stillness
which reigns in the desert. A religious horror steals imperceptibly
over the feelings of those who approach, and they feel themselves
smitten with awe at the stupendous aspect of its summit, which reaches
beyond the clouds, and well nigh approaches the very orb of the moon.
At night, they say, it gleams with fires innumerable lighted up; it is
then the scene of the gambols of the Ægipans[3254] and the Satyr crew,
while it re-echoes with the notes of the flute and the pipe, and the
clash of drums and cymbals. All this is what authors of high character
have stated, in addition to the labours which Hercules and Perseus
there experienced. The space which intervenes before you arrive at this
mountain is immense, and the country quite unknown.
There formerly existed some Commentaries written by Hanno[3255], a
Carthaginian general, who was commanded, in the most flourishing times
of the Punic state, to explore the sea-coast of Africa. The greater
part of the Greek and Roman writers have followed him, and have
related, among other fabulous stories, that many cities there were
founded by him, of which no remembrance, nor yet the slightest vestige,
now exists.
While Scipio Æmilianus held the command in Sicily, Polybius the
historian received a fleet from him for the purpose of proceeding on
a voyage of discovery in this part of the world. He relates, that
beyond[3256] Mount Atlas, proceeding in a westerly direction, there
are forests filled with wild beasts, peculiar to the soil of Africa,
as far as the river Anatis[3257], a distance of 485 miles, Lixos being
distant from it 205 miles. Agrippa says, that Lixos is distant from
the Straits of Gades 112 miles. After it we come to a gulf which is
called the Gulf of Saguti[3258], a town situate on the Promontory
of Mulelacha[3259], the rivers Subur and Salat[3260], and the port
of Rutubis[3261], distant from Lixos 213 miles. We then come to the
Promontory of the Sun[3262], the port of Risardir[3263], the Gætulian
Autololes, the river Cosenus[3264], the nations of the Selatiti and
the Masati, the river Masathat[3265], and the river Darat[3266],
in which crocodiles are found. After this we come to a large gulf,
616[3267] miles in extent, which is enclosed by a promontory of Mount
Barce[3268], which runs out in a westerly direction, and is called
Surrentium[3269]. Next comes the river Salsus[3270], beyond which lie
the Æthiopian Perorsi, at the back of whom are the Pharusii[3271], who
are bordered upon by the Gætulian Daræ[3272], lying in the interior.
Upon the coast again, we find the Æthiopian Daratitæ, and the river
Bambotus[3273], teeming with crocodiles and hippopotami. From this
river there is a continuous range[3274] of mountains till we come to
the one which is known by the name of Theon Ochema[3275], from which
to the Hesperian Promontory[3276] is a voyage of ten days and nights;
and in the middle of this space he[3277] has placed Mount Atlas, which
by all other writers has been stated to be in the extreme parts of
Mauritania.
The Roman arms, for the first time, pursued their conquests into
Mauritania, under the Emperor Claudius, when the freedman Ædemon took
up arms to avenge the death of King Ptolemy[3278], who had been put
to death by Caius Cæsar; and it is a well-known fact, that on the
flight of the barbarians our troops reached Mount Atlas. It became
a boast, not only among men of consular rank, and generals selected
from the senate, who at that time held the command, but among persons
of equestrian rank as well, who after that period held the government
there, that they had penetrated as far as Mount Atlas. There are, as we
have already stated, five Roman colonies in this province; and it may
very possibly appear, if we listen only to what report says, that this
mountain is easily accessible. Upon trial, however, it has been pretty
generally shown, that all such statements are utterly fallacious; and
it is too true, that men in high station, when they are disinclined
to take the trouble of inquiring into the truth, through a feeling of
shame at their ignorance are not averse to be guilty of falsehood; and
never is implicit credence more readily given, than when a falsehood
is supported by the authority of some personage of high consideration.
For my own part, I am far less surprised that there are still some
facts remaining undiscovered by men of the equestrian order, and even
those among them who have attained senatorial rank, than that the love
of luxury has left anything unascertained; the impulse of which must
be great indeed, and most powerfully felt, when the very forests are
ransacked for their ivory and citron-wood[3279], and all the rocks of
Gætulia are searched for the murex and the purple.
From the natives, however, we learn, that on the coast, at a distance
of 150 miles from the Salat, the river Asana[3280] presents itself; its
waters are salt, but it is remarkable for its fine harbour. They also
say that after this we come to a river known by the name of Fut[3281],
and then, after crossing another called Vior which lies on the road, at
a distance of 200 miles we arrive at Dyris[3282], such being the name
which in their language they give to Mount Atlas. According to their
story there are still existing in its vicinity many vestiges which tend
to prove that the locality was once inhabited; such as the remains of
vineyards and plantations of palm-trees.
Suetonius Paulinus[3283], whom we have seen Consul in our own time,
was the first Roman general who advanced a distance of some miles
beyond Mount Atlas. He has given us the same information as we have
received from other sources with reference to the extraordinary height
of this mountain, and at the same time he has stated that all the
lower parts about the foot of it are covered with dense and lofty
forests composed of trees of species hitherto unknown. The height of
these trees, he says, is remarkable; the trunks are without knots,
and of a smooth and glossy surface; the foliage is like that of the
cypress, and besides sending forth a powerful odour, they are covered
with a flossy down, from which, by the aid of art, a fine cloth might
easily be manufactured, similar to the textures made from the produce
of the silk-worm. He informs us that the summit of this mountain is
covered with snow even in summer, and says that having arrived there
after a march of ten days, he proceeded some distance beyond it as far
as a river which bears the name of Ger[3284]; the road being through
deserts covered with a black sand[3285], from which rocks that bore
the appearance of having been exposed to the action of fire, projected
every here and there; localities rendered quite uninhabitable by the
intensity of the heat, as he himself experienced, although it was in
the winter season that he visited them. We also learn from the same
source that the people who inhabit the adjoining forests, which are
full of all kinds of elephants, wild beasts, and serpents, have the
name of Canarii; from the circumstance that they partake of their food
in common with the canine race, and share with it the entrails of wild
beasts.
It is a well-known fact, that adjoining to these localities is a
nation of Æthiopians, which bears the name of Perorsi. Juba, the
father of Ptolemy, who was the first king[3286] who reigned over
both the Mauritanias, and who has been rendered even more famous by
the brilliancy of his learning than by his kingly rank, has given us
similar information relative to Mount Atlas, and states that a certain
herb grows there, which has received the name of ‘euphorbia’[3287]
from that of his physician, who was the first to discover it. Juba
extols with wondrous praises the milky juice of this plant as tending
to improve the sight, and acting as a specific against the bites of
serpents and all kinds of poison; and to this subject alone he has
devoted an entire book. Thus much, if indeed not more than enough,
about Mount Atlas.
(2.) The province of Tingitana is 170 miles in length[3288]. Of the
nations in this province the principal one was formerly that of the
Mauri[3289], who have given to it the name of Mauritania, and have
been by many writers called the Maurusii[3290]. This nation has been
greatly weakened by the disasters of war, and is now dwindled down
to a few families only[3291]. Next to the Mauri was formerly the
nation of the Massæsyli[3292]; they in a similar manner have become
extinct. Their country is now occupied by the Gætulian nations[3293],
the Baniuræ[3294], the Autololes[3295], by far the most powerful
people among them all, and the Vesuni, who formerly were a part of
the Autololes, but have now separated from them, and, turning their
steps towards the Æthiopians[3296], have formed a distinct nation of
their own. This province, in the mountainous district which lies on
its eastern side, produces elephants, as also on the heights of Mount
Abyla[3297] and among those elevations which, from the similarity of
their height, are called the Seven Brothers[3298]. Joining the range of
Abyla these mountains overlook the Straits of Gades. At the extremity
of this chain begin the shores of the inland sea[3299], and we come to
the Tamuda[3300], a navigable stream, with the site of a former town of
the same name, and then the river Laud[3301], which is also navigable
for vessels, the town and port of Rhysaddir[3302], and Malvane[3303], a
navigable stream.
The city of Siga[3304], formerly the residence of King Syphax, lies
opposite to that of Malaca[3305] in Spain: it now belongs to the
second[3306] Mauritania. But these countries, I should remark, for a
long time retained the names of their respective kings, the further
Mauritania being called the “land of Bogud[3307],” while that which
is now called Cæsariensis was called the “country of Bocchus.” After
passing Siga we come to the haven called “Portus Magnus[3308]” from
its great extent, with a town whose people enjoy the rights of Roman
citizens, and then the river Mulucha[3309], which served as the limit
between the territory of Bocchus and that of the Massæsyli. Next
to this is Quiza Xenitana[3310], a town founded by strangers, and
Arsenaria[3311], a place with the ancient Latin rights, three miles
distant from the sea. We then come to Cartenna[3312], a colony founded
under Augustus by the second legion, and Gunugum[3313], another colony
founded by the same emperor, a prætorian cohort being established
there; the Promontory of Apollo[3314], and a most celebrated city,
now called Cæsarea[3315], but formerly known by the name of Iol; this
place was the residence of King Juba, and received the rights of a
colony from the now deified Emperor Claudius. Oppidum Novum[3316] is
the next place; a colony of veterans was established here by command
of the same emperor. Next to it is Tipasa[3317], which has received
Latin rights, as also Icasium[3318], which has been presented by the
Emperor Vespasianus with similar rights; Rusconiæ[3319], a colony
founded by Augustus; Rusucurium[3320], honoured by Claudius with
the rights of Roman citizens; Ruzacus[3321], a colony founded by
Augustus; Salde[3322], another colony founded by the same emperor;
Igilgili[3323], another; and the town of Tucca[3324], situate on the
sea-shore and upon the river Ampsaga. In the interior are the colony
of Augusta, also called Succabar[3325], Tubusuptus[3326], the cities
of Timici and Tigavæ[3327], the rivers Sardabal[3328], Aves[3329], and
Nabar[3330], the nation of the Macurebi, the river Usar[3331], and
the nation of the Nababes. The river Ampsaga is distant from Cæsarea
322[3332] miles. The length of the two Mauritanias is 1038, and their
breadth 467 miles.
CHAP. 2. (3.)—NUMIDIA.
At the river Ampsaga Numidia begins, a country rendered illustrious
by the fame of Masinissa. By the Greeks this region was called
Metagonitis[3333]; and the Numidians received the name of “Nomades”
from their frequent changes of pasturage; upon which occasions they
were accustomed to carry[3334] their _mapalia_, or in other words,
their houses, upon waggons. The towns of this country are Cullu[3335]
and Rusicade[3336]; and at a distance of forty-eight miles from the
latter, in the interior, is the colony of Cirta[3337], surnamed “of the
Sitiani;” still more inland is another colony called Sicca[3338], with
the free town of Bulla Regia[3339]. On the coast are Tacatua[3340],
Hippo Regius[3341], the river Armua[3342], and the town of
Tabraca[3343], with the rights of Roman citizens. The river Tusca[3344]
forms the boundary of Numidia. This country produces nothing remarkable
except its marble[3345] and wild beasts.
CHAP. 3. (4.)—AFRICA.
Beyond the river Tusca begins the region of Zeugitana[3346], and that
part which properly bears the name of Africa[3347]. We here find
three promontories; the White Promontory[3348], the Promontory of
Apollo[3349], facing Sardinia, and that of Mercury[3350], opposite
to Sicily. Projecting into the sea these headlands form two gulfs,
the first of which bears the name of “Hipponensis” from its proximity
to the city called Hippo Dirutus[3351], a corruption of the Greek
name Diarrhytus, which it has received from the channels made for
irrigation. Adjacent to this place, but at a greater distance from
the sea-shore, is Theudalis[3352], a town exempt from tribute. We
then come to the Promontory of Apollo, and upon the second gulf, we
find Utica[3353], a place enjoying the rights of Roman citizens, and
famous for the death of Cato; the river Bagrada[3354], the place called
Castra Cornelia[3355], the colony[3356] of Carthage, founded upon
the remains of Great Carthage[3357], the colony of Maxula[3358], the
towns of Carpi[3359], Misua, and Clypea[3360], the last a free town,
on the Promontory of Mercury; also Curubis, a free town[3361], and
Neapolis[3362].
Here commences the second division[3363] of Africa properly so called.
Those who inhabit Byzacium have the name of Libyphœnices[3364].
Byzacium is the name of a district which is 250 miles in circumference,
and is remarkable for its extreme fertility, as the ground returns the
seed sown by the husbandman with interest a hundred-fold[3365]. Here
are the free towns of Leptis[3366], Adrumetum[3367], Ruspina[3368],
and Thapsus[3369]; and then Thenæ[3370], Macomades[3371], Tacape[3372],
and Sabrata[3373] which touches on the Lesser Syrtis; to which spot,
from the Ampsaga, the length of Numidia and Africa is 580 miles, and
the breadth, so far as it has been ascertained, 200. That portion
which we have called Africa is divided into two provinces, the Old and
the New; these are separated by a dyke which was made by order of the
second Scipio Africanus[3374] and the kings[3375], and extended to
Thenæ, which town is distant from Carthage 216 miles.
CHAP. 4.—THE SYRTES.
A third Gulf is divided into two smaller ones, those of the two
Syrtes[3376], which are rendered perilous by the shallows of their
quicksands and the ebb and flow of the sea. Polybius states the
distance from Carthage to the Lesser Syrtis, the one which is nearest
to it, to be 300 miles. The inlet to it he also states to be 100
miles across, and its circumference 300. There is also a way[3377] to
it by land, to find which we must employ the guidance of the stars
and cross deserts which present nothing but sand and serpents. After
passing these we come to forests filled with vast multitudes of wild
beasts and elephants, then desert wastes[3378], and beyond them the
Garamantes[3379], distant twelve days’ journey from the Augylæ[3380].
Above the Garamantes was formerly the nation of the Psylli[3381], and
above them again the Lake of Lycomedes[3382], surrounded with deserts.
The Augylæ themselves are situate almost midway between Æthiopia which
faces the west[3383], and the region which lies between[3384] the two
Syrtes, at an equal distance from both. The distance along the coast
that lies between the two Syrtes is 250 miles. On it are found the city
of Œa[3385], the river Cinyps[3386], and the country of that name, the
towns of Neapolis[3387], Graphara[3388], and Abrotonum[3389], and the
second, surnamed the Greater, Leptis[3390].
We next come to the Greater Syrtis, 625 miles in circumference, and at
the entrance 312 miles in width; next after which dwells the nation
of the Cisippades. At the bottom of this gulf was the coast of the
Lotophagi, whom some writers have called the Alachroæ[3391], extending
as far as the Altars of the Philæni[3392]; these Altars are formed
of heaps of sand. On passing these, not far from the shore there is
a vast swamp[3393] which receives the river Triton[3394] and from it
takes its name: by Callimachus it is called Pallantias[3395], and is
said by him to be on the nearer side of the Lesser Syrtis; many other
writers however place it between the two Syrtes. The promontory which
bounds the Greater Syrtis has the name of Borion[3396]; beyond it is
the province of Cyrene.
Africa, from the river Ampsaga to this limit, includes 516 peoples, who
are subject to the Roman sway, of which six are colonies; among them
Uthina[3397] and Tuburbi[3398], besides those already mentioned. The
towns enjoying the rights of Roman citizens are fifteen in number, of
which I shall mention, as lying in the interior, those of Assuræ[3399],
Abutucum, Aborium, Canopicum[3400], Cilma[3401], Simithium,
Thunusidium, Tuburnicum, Tynidrumum, Tibiga, the two towns called
Ucita, the Greater and the Lesser, and Vaga. There is also one town
with Latin rights, Uzalita by name, and one town of tributaries, Castra
Cornelia[3402]. The free towns are thirty in number, among which we
may mention, in the interior, those of Acholla[3403], Aggarita, Avina,
Abzirita, Canopita, Melizita, Matera, Salaphita, Tusdrita[3404],
Tiphica, Tunica[3405], Theuda, Tagasta[3406], Tiga[3407], Ulusubrita,
a second Vaga, Visa, and Zama[3408]. Of the remaining number, most of
them should be called, in strictness, not only cities, but nations
even; such for instance as the Natabudes, the Capsitani[3409],
the Musulami, the Sabarbares, the Massyli[3410], the Nisives, the
Vamacures, the Cinithi, the Musuni, the Marchubii[3411], and the whole
of Gætulia[3412], as far as the river Nigris[3413], which separates
Africa proper from Æthiopia.
CHAP. 5. (5.)—CYRENAICA.
The region of Cyrenaica, also called Pentapolis[3414], is rendered
famous by the oracle of Hammon[3415], which is distant 400 miles
from the city of Cyrene; also by the Fountain of the Sun[3416]
there, and five cities in especial, those of Berenice[3417],
Arsinoë[3418], Ptolemais[3419], Apollonia[3420], and Cyrene[3421]
itself. Berenice is situate upon the outer promontory that bounds the
Syrtis; it was formerly called the city of the Hesperides (previously
mentioned[3422]), according to the fables of the Greeks, which very
often change their localities. Not far from the city, and running
before it, is the river Lethon, and with it a sacred grove, where
the gardens of the Hesperides are said to have formerly stood; this
city is distant from Leptis 375 miles. From Berenice to Arsinoë,
commonly called Teuchira, is forty-three miles; after which, at a
distance of twenty-two, we come to Ptolemais, the ancient name of
which was Barce; and at a distance of forty miles from this last the
Promontory of Phycus[3423], which extends far away into the Cretan
Sea, being 350 miles distant from Tænarum[3424], the promontory of
Laconia, and from Crete 225. After passing this promontory we come to
Cyrene, which stands at a distance of eleven miles from the sea. From
Phycus to Apollonia[3425] is twenty-four miles, and from thence to
the Chersonesus[3426] eighty-eight; from which to Catabathmos[3427]
is a distance of 216 miles. The Marmaridæ[3428] inhabit this coast,
extending from almost the region of Parætonium[3429] to the Greater
Syrtis; after them the Ararauceles, and then, upon the coasts of
the Syrtis, the Nasamones[3430], whom the Greeks formerly called
Mesammones, from the circumstance of their being located in the very
midst of sands[3431]. The territory of Cyrene, to a distance of fifteen
miles from the shore, is said to abound in trees, while for the same
distance beyond that district it is only suitable for the cultivation
of corn: after which, a tract of land, thirty miles in breadth and 250
in length, is productive of nothing but laser [or silphium[3432]].
After the Nasamones we come to the dwellings of the Asbystæ and the
Macæ[3433], and beyond them, at eleven days’ journey to the west of the
Greater Syrtis, the Amantes[3434], a people also surrounded by sands
in every direction. They find water however without any difficulty at
a depth mostly of about two cubits, as their district receives the
overflow of the waters of Mauritania. They build houses with blocks of
salt[3435], which they cut out of their mountains just as we do stone.
From this nation to the Troglodytæ[3436] the distance is seven days’
journey in a south-westerly direction, a people with whom our only
intercourse is for the purpose of procuring from them the precious
stone which we call the carbuncle, and which is brought from the
interior of Æthiopia. Upon the road to this last people, but turning
off towards the deserts of Africa, of which we have previously[3437]
made mention as lying beyond the Lesser Syrtis, is the region of
Phazania[3438]; the nation of Phazanii, belonging to which, as well
as the cities of Alele[3439] and Cilliba[3440], we have subdued by
force of arms, as also Cydamus[3441], which lies over against Sabrata.
After passing these places a range of mountains extends in a prolonged
chain from east to west: these have received from our people the name
of the Black Mountains[3442], either from the appearance which they
naturally bear of having been exposed to the action of fire, or else
from the fact that they have been scorched by the reflection of the
sun’s rays. Beyond it[3443] is the desert, and then Talgæ, a city of
the Garamantes, and Debris, at which place there is a spring[3444],
the waters of which, from noon to midnight, are at boiling heat, and
then freeze for as many hours until the following noon; Garama too,
that most famous capital of the Garamantes; all which places have been
subdued by the Roman arms. It was on this occasion that Cornelius
Balbus[3445] was honoured with a triumph, the only foreigner indeed
that was ever honoured with the triumphal chariot, and presented
with the rights of a Roman citizen; for, although by birth a native
of Gades, the Roman citizenship was granted to him as well as to the
elder Balbus[3446], his uncle by the father’s side. There is also this
remarkable circumstance, that our writers have handed down to us the
names of the cities above-mentioned as having been taken by Balbus, and
have informed us that on the occasion of his triumph[3447], besides
Cydamus and Garama[3448], there were carried in the procession the
names and models of all the other nations and cities, in the following
order: the town of Tabudium[3449], the nation of Niteris, the town
of Nigligemella, the nation or town of Bubeium[3450], the nation of
Enipi, the town of Thuben, the mountain known as the Black Mountain,
Nitibrum, the towns called Rapsa, the nation of Discera[3451], the town
of Debris[3452], the river Nathabur[3453], the town of Thapsagum[3454],
the nation of Nannagi, the town of Boin, the town of Pege[3455],
the river Dasibari; and then the towns, in the following order, of
Baracum, Buluba, Alasit, Galia, Balla, Maxalla[3456], Zizama, and Mount
Gyri[3457], which was preceded by an inscription stating that this was
the place where precious stones were produced.
Up to the present time it has been found impracticable to keep open
the road that leads to the country of the Garamantes, as the predatory
bands of that nation have filled up the wells with sand, which do not
require to be dug for to any great depth, if you only have a knowledge
of the locality. In the late war[3458] however, which, at the beginning
of the reign of the Emperor Vespasian, the Romans carried on with the
people of Œa, a short cut of only four days’ journey was discovered;
this road is known as the “Præter Caput Saxi[3459].” The last place in
the territory of Cyrenaica is Catabathmos, consisting of a town, and a
valley with a sudden and steep descent. The length of Cyrenean Africa,
up to this boundary from the Lesser Syrtis, is 1060 miles; and, so far
as has been ascertained, it is 800[3460] in breadth.
CHAP. 6. (6.)—LIBYA MAREOTIS.
The region that follows is called Libya Mareotis[3461], and borders
upon Egypt. It is held by the Marmaridæ, the Adyrmachidæ, and, after
them, the Mareotæ. The distance from Catabathmos to Parætonium is
eighty-six miles. In this district is Apis[3462], a place rendered
famous by the religious belief of Egypt. From this town Parætonium is
distant sixty-two miles, and from thence to Alexandria the distance is
200 miles, the breadth of the district being 169. Eratosthenes says
that it is 525 miles by land from Cyrene to Alexandria; while Agrippa
gives the length of the whole of Africa from the Atlantic Sea, and
including Lower Egypt, as 3040 miles. Polybius and Eratosthenes, who
are generally considered as remarkable for their extreme correctness,
state the length to be, from the ocean to Great Carthage 1100 miles,
and from Carthage to Canopus, the nearest mouth of the Nile, 1628
miles; while Isidorus speaks of the distance from Tingi to Canopus as
being 3599 miles. Artemidorus makes this last distance forty miles less
than Isidorus.
CHAP. 7. (7.)—THE ISLANDS IN THE VICINITY OF AFRICA.
These seas contain not so very many islands. The most famous among
them is Meninx[3463], twenty-five miles in length and twenty-two in
breadth: by Eratosthenes it is called Lotophagitis. This island has
two towns, Meninx on the side which faces Africa, and Troas on the
other; it is situate off the promontory which lies on the right-hand
side of the Lesser Syrtis, at a distance of a mile and a half. One
hundred miles from this island, and opposite the promontory that lies
on the left, is the free island of Cercina[3464], with a city of the
same name. It is twenty-five miles long, and half that breadth at the
place where it is the widest, but not more than five miles across at
the extremity: the diminutive island of Cercinitis[3465], which looks
towards Carthage, is united to it by a bridge. At a distance of nearly
fifty miles from these is the island of Lopadusa[3466], six miles in
length; and beyond it Gaulos and Galata, the soil of which kills the
scorpion, that noxious reptile of Africa. It is also said that the
scorpion will not live at Clypea; opposite to which place lies the
island of Cosyra[3467], with a town of the same name. Opposite to the
Gulf of Carthage are the two islands known as the Ægimuri[3468]; the
Altars[3469], which are rather rocks than islands, lie more between
Sicily and Sardinia. There are some authors who state that these rocks
were once inhabited, but that they have gradually subsided in the sea.
CHAP. 8. (8.)—COUNTRIES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF AFRICA.
If we pass through the interior of Africa in a southerly direction,
beyond the Gætuli, after having traversed the intervening deserts,
we shall find, first of all the Liby-Egyptians[3470], and then
the country where the Leucæthiopians[3471] dwell. Beyond[3472]
these are the Nigritæ[3473], nations of Æthiopia, so called from
the river Nigris[3474], which has been previously mentioned, the
Gymnetes[3475], surnamed Pharusii, and, on the very margin of the
ocean, the Perorsi[3476], whom we have already spoken of as lying on
the boundaries of Mauritania. After passing all these peoples, there
are vast deserts towards the east until we come to the Garamantes, the
Augylæ, and the Troglodytæ; the opinion of those being exceedingly
well founded who place two Æthiopias beyond the deserts of Africa, and
more particularly that expressed by Homer[3477], who tells us that the
Æthiopians are divided into two nations, those of the east and those of
the west. The river Nigris has the same characteristics as the Nile;
it produces the calamus, the papyrus, and just the same animals, and
it rises at the same seasons of the year. Its source is between the
Tarrælian Æthiopians and the Œcalicæ. Magium, the city of the latter
people, has been placed by some writers amid the deserts, and, next
to them the Atlantes; then the Ægipani, half men, half beasts, the
Blemmyæ[3478], the Gamphasantes, the Satyri, and the Himantopodes.
The Atlantes[3479], if we believe what is said, have lost all
characteristics of humanity; for there is no mode of distinguishing
each other among them by names, and as they look upon the rising and
the setting sun, they give utterance to direful imprecations against
it, as being deadly to themselves and their lands; nor are they
visited with dreams[3480], like the rest of mortals. The Troglodytæ
make excavations in the earth, which serve them for dwellings; the
flesh of serpents is their food; they have no articulate voice, but
only utter a kind of squeaking noise[3481]; and thus are they utterly
destitute of all means of communication by language. The Garamantes
have no institution of marriage among them, and live in promiscuous
concubinage with their women. The Augylæ worship no deities[3482] but
the gods of the infernal regions. The Gamphasantes, who go naked, and
are unacquainted with war[3483], hold no intercourse whatever with
strangers. The Blemmyæ are said to have no heads, their mouths and
eyes being seated in their breasts. The Satyri[3484], beyond their
figure, have nothing in common with the manners of the human race,
and the form of the Ægipani[3485] is such as is commonly represented
in paintings. The Himantopodes[3486] are a race of people with feet
resembling thongs, upon which they move along by nature with a
serpentine, crawling kind of gait. The Pharusii, descended from the
ancient Persians, are said to have been the companions of Hercules when
on his expedition to the Hesperides. Beyond the above, I have met with
nothing relative to Africa[3487] worthy of mention.
CHAP. 9. (9.)—EGYPT AND THEBAIS.
Joining on to Africa is Asia, the extent of which, according to
Timosthenes, from the Canopic mouth of the Nile to the mouth of the
Euxine, is 2639 miles. From the mouth of the Euxine to that of Lake
Mæotis is, according to Eratosthenes, 1545 miles. The whole distance to
the Tanais, including Egypt, is, according to Artemidorus and Isidorus,
6375[3488] miles. The seas of Egypt, which are several in number, have
received their names from those who dwell upon their shores, for which
reason they will be mentioned together.
Egypt is the country which lies next to Africa; in the interior it runs
in a southerly direction, as far as the territory of the Æthiopians,
who lie extended at the back of it. The river Nile, dividing itself,
forms on the right and left the boundary of its lower part, which it
embraces on every side[3489]. By the Canopic mouth of that river it is
separated from Africa, and by the Pelusiac from Asia, there being a
distance between the two of 170 miles. For this reason it is that some
persons have reckoned Egypt among the islands, the Nile so dividing
itself as to give a triangular form to the land which it encloses: from
which circumstance also many persons have named Egypt the Delta[3490],
after that of the Greek letter so called. The distance from the spot
where the channel of the river first divides into branches, to the
Canopic mouth, is 146 miles, and to the Pelusiac, 166.
The upper part of Egypt, which borders on Æthiopia, is known as
Thebais. This district is divided into prefectures of towns, which
are generally designated as “Nomes.” These are Ombites[3491],
Apollopolites[3492], Hermonthites[3493], Thinites[3494],
Phaturites[3495], Coptites[3496], Tentyrites[3497], Diopolites[3498],
Antæopolites[3499], Aphroditopolites[3500], and Lycopolites[3501]. The
district which lies in the vicinity of Pelusium contains the following
Nomes, Pharbæthites, Bubastites[3502], Sethroites, and Tanites[3503].
The remaining Nomes are those called the Arabian; the Hammonian,
which lies on the road to the oracle of Jupiter Hammon; and those
known by the names of Oxyrynchites, Leontopolites, Athribites[3504],
Cynopolites[3505], Hermopolites[3506], Xoites, Mendesium,
Sebennytes[3507], Cabasites, Latopolites, Heliopolites, Prosopites,
Panopolites, Busirites[3508], Onuphites[3509], Saïtes[3510], Ptenethu,
Phthemphu[3511], Naucratites[3512], Metelites, Gynæcopolites,
Menelaites,—all in the region of Alexandria, besides Mareotis in Libya.
Heracleopolites[3513] is a Nome on an island[3513] of the Nile,
fifty miles in length, upon which there is a city, called the ‘City
of Hercules.’ There are two places called Arsinoïtes[3514]: these
and Memphites[3515] extend to the apex[3516] of the Delta; adjoining
to which, on the side of Africa, are the two Nomes of Oasites[3517].
Some writers vary in some of these names and substitute for them other
Nomes, such as Heroöpolites[3518] and Crocodilopolites[3519]. Between
Arsinoïtes and Memphites, a lake[3520], 250 miles, or, according to
what Mucianus says, 450 miles in circumference and fifty paces deep,
has been formed by artificial means: after the king by whose orders it
was made, it is called by the name of Mœris. The distance from thence
to Memphis is nearly sixty-two miles, a place which was formerly the
citadel of the kings of Egypt; from thence to the oracle of Hammon
it is twelve days’ journey. Memphis is fifteen miles from the spot
where the river Nile divides into the different channels which we have
mentioned as forming the Delta.
CHAP. 10.—THE RIVER NILE.
The sources of the Nile[3521] are unascertained, and, travelling as
it does for an immense distance through deserts and burning sands, it
is only known to us by common report, having neither experienced the
vicissitudes of warfare, nor been visited by those arms which have
so effectually explored all other regions. It rises, so far indeed
as King Juba was enabled to ascertain, in a mountain[3522] of Lower
Mauritania, not far from the ocean; immediately after which it forms
a lake of standing water, which bears the name of Nilides[3523]. In
this lake are found the several kinds of fish known by the names of
alabeta[3524], coracinus, and silurus; a crocodile also was brought
thence as a proof that this really is the Nile, and was consecrated
by Juba himself in the temple of Isis at Cæsarea[3525], where it may
be seen at the present day. In addition to these facts, it has been
observed that the waters of the Nile rise in the same proportion in
which the snows and rains of Mauritania increase. Pouring forth from
this lake, the river disdains to flow through arid and sandy deserts,
and for a distance of several days’ journey conceals itself; after
which it bursts forth at another lake of greater magnitude in the
country of the Massæsyli[3526], a people of Mauritania Cæsariensis,
and thence casts a glance around, as it were, upon the communities
of men in its vicinity, giving proofs of its identity in the same
peculiarities of the animals which it produces. It then buries itself
once again in the sands of the desert, and remains concealed for a
distance of twenty days’ journey, till it has reached the confines of
Æthiopia. Here, when it has once more become sensible of the presence
of man, it again emerges, at the same source, in all probability, to
which writers have given the name of Niger, or Black. After this,
forming the boundary-line between Africa and Æthiopia, its banks,
though not immediately peopled by man, are the resort of numbers of
wild beasts and animals of various kinds. Giving birth in its course
to dense forests of trees, it travels through the middle of Æthiopia,
under the name of Astapus, a word which signifies, in the language of
the nations who dwell in those regions, “water issuing from the shades
below.” Proceeding onwards, it divides[3527] innumerable islands in
its course, and some of them of such vast magnitude, that although its
tide runs with the greatest rapidity, it is not less than five days
in passing them. When making the circuit of Meroë, the most famous of
these islands, the left branch of the river is called Astobores[3528],
or, in other words, “an arm of the water that issues from the shades,”
while the right arm has the name of Astosapes[3529], which adds to its
original signification the meaning of “side[3530].” It does not obtain
the name of “Nile” until its waters have again met and are united in a
single stream; and even then, for some miles both above and below the
point of confluence, it has the name of Siris. Homer has given to the
whole of this river the name of Ægyptus, while other writers again have
called it Triton[3531]. Every now and then its course is interrupted by
islands which intervene, and which only serve as so many incentives to
add to the impetuosity of its torrent; and though at last it is hemmed
in by mountains on either side, in no part is the tide more rapid and
precipitate. Its waters then hastening onwards, it is borne along to
the spot in the country of the Æthiopians which is known by the name of
“Catadupi[3532];” where, at the last Cataract[3533], the complaint is,
not that it flows, but that it rushes, with an immense noise between
the rocks that lie in its way: after which it becomes more smooth,
the violence of its waters is broken and subdued, and, wearied out as
it were by the length of the distance it has travelled, it discharges
itself, though by many mouths[3534], into the Egyptian sea. During
certain days of the year, however, the volume of its waters is greatly
increased, and as it traverses the whole of Egypt, it inundates the
earth, and, by so doing, greatly promotes its fertility.
There have been various reasons suggested for this increase of the
river. Of these, however, the most probable are, either that its
waters are driven back by the Etesian winds[3535], which are blowing
at this season of the year from an opposite direction, and that the
sea which lies beyond is driven into the mouths of the river; or else
that its waters are swollen by the summer rains of Æthiopia[3536],
which fall from the clouds conveyed thither by the Etesian winds from
other parts of the earth. Timæus the mathematician has alleged a reason
of an occult nature: he says that the source of the river is known
by the name of Phiala, and that the stream buries itself in channels
underground, where it sends forth vapours generated by the heat among
the steaming rocks amid which it conceals itself; but that, during the
days of the inundation, in consequence of the sun approaching nearer
to the earth, the waters are drawn forth by the influence of his heat,
and on being thus exposed to the air, overflow; after which, in order
that it may not be utterly dried up, the stream hides itself once more.
He says that this takes place at the rising of the Dog-Star, when the
sun enters the sign of Leo, and stands in a vertical position over the
source of the river, at which time at that spot there is no shadow
thrown. Most authors, however, are of opinion, on the contrary, that
the river flows in greater volume when the sun takes his departure for
the north, which he does when he enters the signs of Cancer and Leo,
because its waters then are not dried up to so great an extent; while
on the other hand, when he returns towards the south pole and re-enters
Capricorn, its waters are absorbed by the heat, and consequently flow
in less abundance. If there is any one inclined to be of opinion, with
Timæus, that the waters of the river may be drawn out of the earth by
the heat, it will be as well for him to bear in mind the fact, that the
absence of shadow is a phænomenon which lasts continuously[3537] in
these regions.
The Nile begins to increase at the next new moon after the summer
solstice, and rises slowly and gradually as the sun passes through the
sign of Cancer; it is at its greatest height while the sun is passing
through Leo, and it falls as slowly and gradually as it arose while he
is passing through the sign of Virgo. It has totally subsided between
its banks, as we learn from Herodotus, on the hundredth day, when
the sun has entered Libra. While it is rising it has been pronounced
criminal for kings or prefects even to sail upon its waters. The
measure of its increase is ascertained by means of wells[3538]. Its
most desirable height is sixteen cubits[3539]; if the waters do not
attain that height, the overflow is not universal; but if they exceed
that measure, by their slowness in receding they tend to retard the
process of cultivation. In the latter case the time for sowing is lost,
in consequence of the moisture of the soil; in the former, the ground
is so parched that the seed-time comes to no purpose. The country has
reason to make careful note of either extreme. When the water rises
to only twelve cubits, it experiences the horrors of famine; when
it attains thirteen, hunger is still the result; a rise of fourteen
cubits is productive of gladness; a rise of fifteen sets all anxieties
at rest; while an increase of sixteen is productive of unbounded
transports of joy. The greatest increase known, up to the present time,
is that of eighteen cubits, which took place in the time of the Emperor
Claudius; the smallest rise was that of five, in the year of the battle
of Pharsalia[3540], the river by this prodigy testifying its horror, as
it were, at the murder of Pompeius Magnus. When the waters have reached
their greatest height, the people open the embankments and admit them
to the lands. As each district is left by the waters, the business of
sowing commences. This is the only river in existence that emits no
vapours[3541].
The Nile first enters the Egyptian territory at Syene[3542], on
the frontiers of Æthiopia; that is the name of a peninsula a mile
in circumference, upon which Castra[3543] is situate, on the side
of Arabia. Opposite to it are the four islands of Philæ[3544], at a
distance of 600 miles from the place where the Nile divides into two
channels; at which spot, as we have already stated, the Delta, as
it is called, begins. This, at least, is the distance, according to
Artemidorus, who also informs us that there were in it 250 towns; Juba
says, however, that the distance between these places is 400 miles.
Aristocreon says that the distance from Elephantis to the sea is 750
miles; Elephantis[3545] being an inhabited island four miles below the
last Cataract, sixteen[3546] beyond Syene, 585 from Alexandria, and the
extreme limit of the navigation of Egypt. To such an extent as this
have the above-named authors[3547] been mistaken! This island is the
place of rendezvous for the vessels of the Æthiopians; they are made to
fold up[3548], and the people carry them on their shoulders whenever
they come to the Cataracts.
CHAP. 11.—THE CITIES OF EGYPT.
Egypt, besides its boast of extreme antiquity, asserts that it
contained, in the reign of King Amasis[3549], 20,000 inhabited
cities: in our day they are still very numerous, though no longer
of any particular note. Still however we find the following ones
mentioned as of great renown—the city of Apollo[3550]; next, that
of Leucothea[3551]; then Great Diospolis[3552], otherwise Thebes,
known to fame for its hundred gates; Coptos[3553], which from its
proximity to the Nile, forms its nearest emporium for the merchandise
of India and Arabia; then the town of Venus[3554], and then another
town of Jupiter[3555]. After this comes Tentyris[3556], below which
is Abydus[3557], the royal abode of Memnon, and famous for a temple
of Osiris[3558], which is situate in Libya[3559], at a distance from
the river of seven miles and a half. Next to it comes Ptolemais[3560],
then Panopolis[3561], and then another town of Venus[3562], and, on
the Libyan side, Lycon[3563], where the mountains form the boundary
of the province of Thebais. On passing these, we come to the towns of
Mercury[3564], Alabastron[3565], the town of Dogs[3566], and that of
Hercules already mentioned[3567]. We next come to Arsinoë[3568], and
Memphis[3569], which has been previously mentioned; between which last
and the Nome of Arsinoïtes, upon the Libyan side, are the towers known
as the Pyramids, the Labyrinth[3570] on Lake Mœris, in the construction
of which no wood was employed, and the town of Crialon[3571]. Besides
these, there is one place in the interior, on the confines of Arabia,
of great celebrity, the City of the Sun[3572].
(10.) With the greatest justice, however, we may lavish our praises
upon Alexandria, built by Alexander the Great on the shores of the
Egyptian Sea, upon the soil of Africa, at twelve miles’ distance
from the Canopic Mouth and near Lake Mareotis[3573]; the spot having
previously borne the name of Rhacotes. The plan of this city was
designed by the architect Dinochares[3574], who is memorable for the
genius which he displayed in many ways. Building the city upon a wide
space[3575] of ground fifteen miles in circumference, he formed it in
the circular shape of a Macedonian chlamys[3576], uneven at the edge,
giving it an angular projection on the right and left; while at the
same time he devoted one-fifth part of the site to the royal palace.
Lake Mareotis, which lies on the south side of the city, is connected
by a canal which joins it to the Canopic mouth, and serves for the
purposes of communication with the interior. It has also a great number
of islands, and is thirty miles across, and 150 in circumference,
according to Claudius Cæsar. Other writers say that it is forty schœni
in length, making the schœnum to be thirty stadia; hence, according to
them, it is 150 miles[3577] in length and the same in breadth.
There are also, in the latter part of the course of the Nile, many
towns of considerable celebrity, and more especially those which have
given their names to the mouths of the river—I do not mean, all the
mouths, for there are no less than twelve of them, as well as four
others, which the people call the False Mouths[3578]. I allude to the
seven more famous ones, the Canopic[3579] Mouth, next to Alexandria,
those of Bolbitine[3580], Sebennys[3581], Phatnis[3582], Mendes[3583],
Tanis[3584], and, last of all, Pelusium[3585]. Besides the above there
are the towns of Butos[3586], Pharbæthos[3587], Leontopolis[3588],
Athribis[3589], the town of Isis[3590], Busiris[3591], Cynopolis[3592],
Aphrodites[3593], Sais[3594], and Naucratis[3595], from which last some
writers call that the Naucratitic Mouth, which is by others called the
Heracleotic, and mention it instead[3596] of the Canopic Mouth, which
is the next to it.
CHAP. 12. (11.)—THE COASTS OF ARABIA, SITUATE ON THE EGYPTIAN SEA.
Beyond the Pelusiac Mouth is Arabia[3597], which extends to the Red
Sea, and joins the Arabia known by the surname of Happy[3598], so
famous for its perfumes and its wealth. This[3599] is called Arabia of
the Catabanes[3600], the Esbonitæ[3601], and the Scenitæ[3602]; it is
remarkable for its sterility, except in the parts where it joins up to
Syria, and it has nothing remarkable in it except Mount Casius[3603].
The Arabian nations of the Canchlæi[3604] join these on the east, and,
on the south the Cedrei[3605], both of which peoples are adjoining
to the Nabatæi[3606]. The two gulfs of the Red Sea, where it borders
upon Egypt, are called the Heroöpolitic[3607] and the Ælanitic[3608].
Between the two towns of Ælana[3609] and Gaza[3610] upon our sea[3611],
there is a distance of 150 miles. Agrippa says that Arsinoë[3612], a
town on the Red Sea, is, by way of the desert, 125 miles from Pelusium.
How different the characteristics impressed by nature upon two places
separated by so small a distance!
CHAP. 13. (12.)—SYRIA.
Next to these countries Syria occupies the coast, once the greatest of
lands, and distinguished by many names; for the part which joins up to
Arabia was formerly called Palæstina, Judæa, Cœle[3613], and Phœnice.
The country in the interior was called Damascena, and that further
on and more to the south, Babylonia. The part that lies between the
Euphrates and the Tigris was called Mesopotamia, that beyond Taurus
Sophene, and that on this side of the same chain Comagene. Beyond
Armenia was the country of Adiabene, anciently called Assyria, and
at the part where it joins up to Cilicia, it was called Antiochia.
Its length, between Cilicia and Arabia[3614], is 470 miles, and its
breadth, from Seleucia Pieria[3615] to Zeugma[3616], a town on the
Euphrates, 175. Those who make a still more minute division of this
country will have it that Phœnice is surrounded by Syria, and that
first comes the maritime coast of Syria, part of which is Idumæa and
Judæa, after that Phœnice, and then Syria. The whole of the tract of
sea that lies in front of these shores is called the Phœnician Sea.
The Phœnician people enjoy the glory of having been the inventors of
letters[3617], and the first discoverers of the sciences of astronomy,
navigation, and the art of war.
CHAP. 14.—IDUMÆA, PALÆSTINA, AND SAMARIA.
On leaving Pelusium we come to the Camp of Chabrias[3618], Mount
Casius[3619], the temple of Jupiter Casius, and the tomb of Pompeius
Magnus. Ostracine[3620], at a distance of sixty-five miles from
Pelusium, is the frontier town of Arabia.
(13.) After this, at the point where the Sirbonian Lake[3621] becomes
visible, Idumæa and Palæstina begin. This lake, which some writers
have made to be 150 miles in circumference, Herodotus has placed at
the foot of Mount Casius; it is now an inconsiderable fen. The towns
are Rhinocolura[3622], and, in the interior, Rhaphea[3623], Gaza, and,
still more inland, Anthedon[3624]: there is also Mount Argaris[3625].
Proceeding along the coast we come to the region of Samaria;
Ascalo[3626], a free town, Azotus[3627], the two Jamniæ[3628], one
of them in the interior; and Joppe[3629], a city of the Phœnicians,
which existed, it is said, before the deluge of the earth. It is
situate on the slope of a hill, and in front of it lies a rock, upon
which they point out the vestiges of the chains by which Andromeda
was bound[3630]. Here the fabulous goddess Ceto[3631] is worshipped.
Next to this place comes Apollonia[3632], and then the Tower of
Strato[3633], otherwise Cæsarea, built by King Herod, but now the
Colony of Prima Flavia, established by the Emperor Vespasianus: this
place is the frontier town of Palæstina, at a distance of 188 miles
from the confines of Arabia; after which comes Phœnice[3634]. In the
interior of Samaria are the towns of Neapolis[3635], formerly called
Mamortha, Sebaste[3636], situate on a mountain, and, on a still more
lofty one, Gamala[3637].
CHAP. 15. (14.)—JUDÆA.
Beyond Idumæa and Samaria, Judæa extends far and wide. That part of it
which joins up to Syria[3638] is called Galilæa, while that which is
nearest to Arabia and Egypt bears the name of Peræa[3639]. This last is
thickly covered with rugged mountains, and is separated from the rest
of Judæa by the river Jordanes. The remaining part of Judæa is divided
into ten Toparchies, which we will mention in the following order:—That
of Hiericus[3640], covered with groves of palm-trees, and watered
by numerous springs, and those of Emmaüs[3641], Lydda[3642], Joppe,
Acrabatena[3643], Gophna[3644], Thamna[3645], Bethleptephene[3646],
Orina[3647], in which formerly stood Hierosolyma[3648], by far the most
famous city, not of Judæa only, but of the East, and Herodium[3649],
with a celebrated town of the same name.
(15.) The river Jordanes[3650] rises from the spring of Panias[3651],
which has given its surname to Cæsarea, of which we shall have
occasion to speak[3652]. This is a delightful stream, and, so far as
the situation of the localities will allow of, winds along[3653] in its
course and lingers among the dwellers upon its banks. With the greatest
reluctance, as it were, it moves onward towards Asphaltites[3654],
a lake of a gloomy and unpropitious nature, by which it is at last
swallowed up, and its bepraised waters are lost sight of on being
mingled with the pestilential streams of the lake. For this reason it
is that, as soon as ever the valleys through which it runs afford it
the opportunity, it discharges itself into a lake, by many writers
known as Genesara[3655], sixteen miles in length and six wide; which is
skirted by the pleasant towns of Julias[3656] and Hippo[3657] on the
east, of Tarichea[3658] on the south (a name which is by many persons
given to the lake itself), and of Tiberias[3659] on the west, the hot
springs[3660] of which are so conducive to the restoration of health.
(16.) Asphaltites[3661] produces nothing whatever except bitumen,
to which indeed it owes its name. The bodies of animals will not
sink[3662] in its waters, and even those of bulls and camels float
there. In length it exceeds 100 miles being at its greatest breadth
twenty-five, and at its smallest six. Arabia of the Nomades[3663] faces
it on the east, and Machærus on the south[3664], at one time, next to
Hierosolyma, the most strongly fortified place in Judæa. On the same
side lies Callirrhoë[3665], a warm spring, remarkable for its medicinal
qualities, and which, by its name, indicates the celebrity its waters
have gained.
(17.) Lying on the west of Asphaltites, and sufficiently distant to
escape its noxious exhalations, are the Esseni[3666], a people that
live apart from the world, and marvellous beyond all others throughout
the whole earth, for they have no women among them; to sexual desire
they are strangers; money they have none; the palm-trees are their only
companions. Day after day, however, their numbers are fully recruited
by multitudes of strangers that resort to them, driven thither to adopt
their usages by the tempests of fortune, and wearied with the miseries
of life. Thus it is, that through thousands of ages, incredible to
relate, this people eternally prolongs its existence, without a single
birth taking place there; so fruitful a source of population to it is
that weariness of life which is felt by others. Below this people was
formerly the town of Engadda[3667], second only to Hierosolyma in the
fertility of its soil and its groves of palm-trees; now, like it, it is
another heap of ashes. Next to it we come to Masada[3668], a fortress
on a rock, not far from Lake Asphaltites. Thus much concerning Judæa.
CHAP. 16. (18.)—DECAPOLIS.
On the side of Syria, joining up to Judæa, is the region of
Decapolis[3669], so called from the number of its cities; as to
which all writers are not agreed. Most of them, however, agree in
speaking of Damascus[3670] as one, a place fertilized by the river
Chrysorroös[3671], which is drawn off into its meadows and eagerly
imbibed; Philadelphia[3672], and Rhaphana[3673], all which cities
fall back towards Arabia; Scythopolis[3674] (formerly called Nysa by
Father Liber, from his nurse having been buried there), its present
name being derived from a Scythian colony which was established there;
Gadara[3675], before which the river Hieromix[3676] flows; Hippo, which
has been previously mentioned; Dion[3677], Pella[3678], rich with its
waters; Galasa[3679], and Canatha[3680]. The Tetrarchies[3681] lie
between and around these cities, equal, each of them, to a kingdom,
and occupying the same rank as so many kingdoms. Their names are,
Trachonitis[3682], Panias[3683], in which is Cæsarea, with the spring
previously mentioned[3684], Abila[3685], Arca[3686], Ampeloëssa[3687],
and Gabe[3688].
CHAP. 17. (19.)—PHŒNICE.
We must now return to the coast and to Phœnice. There was formerly a
town here known as Crocodilon; there is still a river[3689] of that
name: Dorum[3690] and Sycaminon[3691] are the names of cities of
which the remembrance only exists. We then come to the Promontory of
Carmelus[3692], and, upon the mountain, a town[3693] of that name,
formerly called Acbatana. Next to this are Getta[3694], Jeba, and the
river Pacida, or Belus[3695], which throws up on its narrow banks a
kind of sand from which glass[3696] is made: this river flows from
the marshes of Cendebia, at the foot of Mount Carmelus. Close to this
river is Ptolemais, formerly called Ace[3697], a colony of Claudius
Cæsar; and then the town of Ecdippa[3698], and the promontory known as
the White Promontory[3699]. We next come to the city of Tyre[3700],
formerly an island, separated from the mainland by a channel of the
sea, of great depth, 700 paces in width, but now joined to it by the
works which were thrown up by Alexander when besieging it,—the Tyre so
famous in ancient times for its offspring, the cities to which it gave
birth, Leptis, Utica, and Carthage[3701],—that rival of the Roman sway,
that thirsted so eagerly for the conquest of the whole earth; Gades,
too, which she founded beyond the limits of the world. At the present
day, all her fame is confined to the production of the murex and the
purple[3702]. Its circumference, including therein Palætyrus[3703],
is nineteen miles, the place itself extending twenty-two stadia. The
next towns are Sarepta[3704] and Ornithon[3705], and then Sidon[3706],
famous for its manufacture of glass, and the parent of Thebes[3707] in
Bœotia.
(20.) In the rear of this spot begins the chain of Libanus, which
extends 1500 stadia, as far as Simyra; this district has the name
of Cœle Syria. Opposite to this chain, and separated from it by
an intervening valley, stretches away the range of Antilibanus,
which was formerly connected with Libanus[3708] by a wall. Beyond
it, and lying in the interior, is the region of Decapolis, and,
with it, the Tetrarchies already mentioned, and the whole expanse
of Palæstina. On the coast, again, and lying beneath Libanus, is
the river Magoras[3709], the colony of Berytus[3710], which bears
the name of Felix Julia, the town of Leontos[3711], the river
Lycos[3712], Palæbyblos[3713], the river Adonis[3714], and the
towns of Byblos[3715], Botrys[3716], Gigarta[3717], Trieris[3718],
Calamos[3719], Tripolis[3720], inhabited by the Tyrians, Sidonians,
and Aradians; Orthosia[3721], the river Eleutheros[3722], the towns of
Simyra and Marathos[3723]; and opposite, Arados[3724], a town seven
stadia long, on an island, distant 200 paces from the mainland. After
passing through the country in which the before-named mountains end and
the plains that lie between, Mount Bargylus[3725] is seen to rise.
CHAP. 18.—SYRIA ANTIOCHIA.
Here Phœnicia ends, and Syria recommences. The towns are, Carne[3726],
Balanea[3727], Paltos[3728], and Gabale[3729]; then the promontory
upon which is situate the free town of Laodicea[3730]; and then
Diospolis[3731], Heraclea[3732], Charadrus[3733], and Posidium[3734].
(21.) We then come to the Promontory of Syria Antiochia. In the
interior is the free city of Antiochia[3735] itself, surnamed
Epidaphnes[3736], and divided by the river Orontes[3737]. On the
promontory is Seleucia[3738], called Pieria, a free city.
(22.) Beyond it lies Mount Casius[3739], a different one from the
mountain of the same name[3740] which we have already mentioned. The
height of this mountain is so vast, that, at the fourth watch[3741] of
the night, you can see from it, in the midst of the darkness, the sun
rising on the east; and thus, by merely turning round, we may at one
and the same time behold both day and night. The winding road which
leads to its summit is nineteen miles in length, its perpendicular
height four. Upon this coast there is the river Orontes, which takes
its rise near Heliopolis[3742], between the range of Libanus and
Antilibanus. The towns are, Rhosos[3743], and, behind it, the Gates
of Syria[3744], lying in the space between the chain of the Rhosian
mountains and that of Taurus. On the coast there is the town of
Myriandros[3745], and Mount Amanus[3746], upon which is the town of
Bomitæ[3747]. This mountain separates Cilicia from Syria.
CHAP. 19. (23.)—THE REMAINING PARTS OF SYRIA.
We must now speak of the interior of Syria. Cœle Syria has the
town of Apamea[3748], divided by the river Marsyas from the
Tetrarchy of the Nazerini[3749]; Bambyx, the other name of which is
Hierapolis[3750], but by the Syrians called Mabog[3751], (here the
monster Atargatis[3752], called Derceto by the Greeks, is worshipped);
and the place called Chalcis[3753] on the Belus[3754], from which the
region of Chalcidene, the most fertile part of Syria, takes its name.
We here find also Cyrrhestice, with Cyrrhum[3755], the Gazatæ, the
Gindareni, the Gabeni, the two Tetrarchies called Granucomatæ[3756],
the Emeseni[3757], the Hylatæ[3758], the nation of the Ituræi, and a
branch of them, the people called the Bætarreni; the Mariamitani[3759],
the Tetrarchy known as Mammisea, Paradisus[3760], Pagræ[3761], the
Pinaritæ[3762], two cities called Seleucia, besides the one already
mentioned, the one Seleucia on the Euphrates[3763], and the other
Seleucia[3764] on the Belus, and the Cardytenses. The remaining part of
Syria (except those parts which will be spoken of in conjunction with
the Euphrates) contains the Arethusii[3765], the Berœenses[3766], and
the Epiphanæenses[3767]; and on the east, the Laodiceni[3768], who
are called the Laodiceni on the Libanus, the Leucadii[3769], and the
Larissæi, besides seventeen other Tetrarchies, divided into kingdoms
and bearing barbarous names.
CHAP. 20. (24.)—THE EUPHRATES.
This place, too, will be the most appropriate one for making some
mention of the Euphrates. This river rises in Caranitis[3770], a
præfecture of Greater Armenia, according to the statement of those
who have approached the nearest to its source. Domitius Corbulo
says, that it rises in Mount Aba; Licinius Mucianus, at the foot of
a mountain which he calls Capotes[3771], twelve miles above Zimara,
and that at its source it has the name of Pyxurates. It first flows
past Derxene[3772], and then Anaitica[3773], shutting out[3774] the
regions of Armenia from Cappadocia. Dascusa[3775] is distant from
Zimara seventy-five miles; from this spot it is navigable as far as
Sartona[3776], a distance of fifty miles, thence to Melitene[3777],
in Cappadocia, distant seventy-four[3778] miles, and thence to
Elegia[3779], in Armenia, distant ten miles; receiving in its course
the rivers Lycus[3780], Arsanias[3781], and Arsanus. At Elegia it meets
the range of Mount Taurus, but no effectual resistance is offered
to its course, although the chain is here twelve miles in width. At
its passage[3782] between the mountains, the river bears the name of
Omma[3783]; but afterwards, when it has passed through, it receives
that of Euphrates. Beyond this spot it is full of rocks, and runs
with an impetuous tide. It then divides that part of Arabia which is
called the country of the Orei[3784], on the left, by a channel three
schœni[3785] in width, from the territory of the Commageni[3786] on the
right, and it admits of a bridge being thrown across it, even where it
forces a passage through the range of Taurus. At Claudiopolis[3787],
in Cappadocia, it takes an easterly direction; and here, for the
first time in this contest, Taurus turns it out of its course; though
conquered before, and rent asunder by its channel, the mountain-chain
now gains the victory in another way, and, breaking its career, compels
it to take a southerly direction. Thus is this warfare of nature
equally waged,—the river proceeding onward to the destination which it
intends to reach, and the mountains forbidding it to proceed by the
path which it originally intended. After passing the Cataracts[3788],
the river again becomes navigable; and, at a distance of forty miles
from thence, is Samosata[3789], the capital of Commagene.
CHAP. 21.—SYRIA UPON THE EUPHRATES.
Arabia, above mentioned, has the cities of Edessa[3790], formerly
called Antiochia, and, from the name of its fountain, Callirhoë[3791],
and Carrhæ[3792], memorable for the defeat of Crassus there. Adjoining
to this is the præfecture of Mesopotamia, which derives its origin
from the Assyrians, and in which are the towns of Anthemusia[3793] and
Nicephorium[3794]; after which come the Arabians, known by the name of
Prætavi, with Singara[3795] for their capital. Below Samosata, on the
side of Syria, the river Marsyas[3796] flows into the Euphrates. At
Cingilla ends the territory of Commagene, and the state of the Immei
begins. The cities which are here washed by the river are those of
Epiphania[3797] and Antiochia[3798], generally known as Epiphania and
Antiochia on the Euphrates; also Zeugma, seventy-two miles distant from
Samosata, famous for the passage there across the Euphrates. Opposite
to it is Apamia[3799], which Seleucus, the founder of both cities,
united by a bridge. The people who join up to Mesopotamia are called
the Rhoali. Other towns in Syria are those of Europus[3800], and what
was formerly Thapsacus[3801], now Amphipolis. We then come to the
Arabian Scenitæ[3802]. The Euphrates then proceeds in its course till
it reaches the place called Ura[3803], at which, taking a turn to the
east, it leaves the Syrian Deserts of Palmyra[3804], which extend as
far as the city of Petra[3805] and the regions of Arabia Felix.
(25.) Palmyra is a city famous for the beauty of its site, the riches
of its soil, and the delicious quality and abundance of its water. Its
fields are surrounded by sands on every side, and are thus separated,
as it were, by nature from the rest of the world. Though placed between
the two great empires of Rome and Parthia, it still maintains[3806] its
independence; never failing, at the very first moment that a rupture
between them is threatened, to attract the careful attention of both.
It is distant 337 miles from Seleucia[3807] of the Parthians, generally
known as Seleucia on the Tigris, 203 from the nearest part of the
Syrian coast, and twenty-seven less from Damascus.
(26.) Below the deserts of Palmyra is the region of Stelendene[3808],
and Hierapolis, Berœa, and Chalcis, already mentioned[3809]. Beyond
Palmyra, Emesa[3810] takes to itself a portion of these deserts;
also Elatium, nearer to Petra by one-half than Damascus. At no great
distance from Sura[3811] is Philiscum, a town of the Parthians, on
the Euphrates. From this place it is ten days’ sail to Seleucia, and
nearly as many to Babylon. At a distance of 594 miles beyond Zeugma,
near the village of Massice, the Euphrates divides into two channels,
the left one of which runs through Mesopotamia, past Seleucia, and
falls into the Tigris as it flows around that city. Its channel on the
right runs towards Babylon, the former capital of Chaldæa, and flows
through the middle of it; and then through another city, the name of
which is Otris[3812], after which it becomes lost in the marshes. Like
the Nile, this river increases at stated times, and at much about the
same period. When the sun has reached the twentieth degree of Cancer,
it inundates[3813] Mesopotamia; and, after he has passed through Leo
and entered Virgo, its waters begin to subside. By the time the sun has
entered the twenty-ninth degree of Virgo, the river has fully regained
its usual height.
CHAP. 22. (27.)—CILICIA AND THE ADJOINING NATIONS.
But let us now return to the coast of Syria, joining up to which is
Cilicia. We here find the river Diaphanes[3814], Mount Crocodilus,
the Gates[3815] of Mount Amanus, the rivers Androcus[3816],
Pinarus[3817], and Lycus[3818], the Gulf of Issos[3819], and the
town of that name; then Alexandria[3820], the river Chlorus[3821],
the free town of Ægæ[3822], the river Pyramus[3823], the Gates[3824]
of Cilicia, the towns of Mallos[3825] and Magarsos[3826], and, in
the interior, Tarsus[3827]. We then come to the Aleian Plains[3828],
the town of Cassipolis, Mopsos[3829], a free town on the river
Pyramus, Thynos, Zephyrium, and Anchiale[3830]. Next to these are
the rivers Saros[3831] and Cydnus[3832], the latter of which, at
some distance from the sea, runs through the free city of Tarsus,
the region of Celenderitis with a town[3833] of similar name, the
place where Nymphæum[3834] stood, Soli of Cilicia[3835], now called
Pompeiopolis, Adana[3836], Cibyra[3837], Pinare[3838], Pedalie[3839],
Ale, Selinus[3840], Arsinoë[3841], Iotape[3842], Doron, and, near the
sea, Corycos, there being a town[3843], port, and cave[3844] all of
the same name. Passing these, we come to the river Calycadnus[3845],
the Promontory of Sarpedon[3846], the towns of Holmœ[3847] and Myle,
and the Promontory and town of Venus[3848], at a short distance from
the island of Cyprus. On the mainland there are the towns of Myanda,
Anemurium[3849], and Coracesium[3850], and the river Melas[3851],
the ancient boundary of Cilicia. In the interior the places more
especially worthy of mention are Anazarbus[3852], now called Cæsarea,
Augusta, Castabala[3853], Epiphania[3854], formerly called Œniandos,
Eleusa[3855], Iconium[3856], Seleucia[3857] upon the river Calycadnus,
surnamed Tracheotis, a city removed[3858] from the sea-shore, where it
had the name of Holmia. Besides those already mentioned, there are in
the interior the rivers Liparis[3859], Bombos, Paradisus, and Mount
Imbarus[3860].
CHAP. 23.—ISAURIA AND THE HOMONADES.
All the geographers have mentioned Pamphylia as joining up to Cilicia,
without taking any notice of the people of Isauria[3861]. Its cities
are, in the interior, Isaura[3862], Clibanus, and Lalasis; it runs down
towards the sea by the side of Anemurium[3863] already mentioned. In
a similar manner also, all who have treated of this subject have been
ignorant of the existence of the nation of the Homonades bordering upon
Isauria, and their town of Homona[3864] in the interior. There are
forty-four other fortresses, which lie concealed amid rugged crags and
valleys.
CHAP. 24.—PISIDIA.
The Pisidæ[3865], formerly called the Solymi, occupy the higher parts
of the mountains. In their country there is the colony of Cæsarea, also
called Antiochia[3866], and the towns of Oroanda[3867] and Sagalessos.
CHAP. 25.—LYCAONIA.
These people are bounded by Lycaonia[3868], which belongs to the
jurisdiction of the province of Asia[3869], to which also resort the
people of Philomelium[3870], Tymbrium[3871], Leucolithium[3872], Pelta,
and Tyrium. To this jurisdiction is also added a Tetrarchy of Lycaonia
in that part which joins up to Galatia, containing fourteen states,
with the famous city of Iconium[3873]. In Lycaonia itself the most
noted places are Thebasa[3874] on Taurus, and Hyde, on the confines of
Galatia and Cappadocia. On the [western] side of Lycaonia, and above
Pamphylia, come the Milyæ[3875], a people descended from the Thracians;
their city is Arycanda.
CHAP. 26.—PAMPHYLIA.
The former name of Pamphylia[3876] was Mopsopia[3877]. The Pamphylian
Sea[3878] joins up to that of Cilicia. The towns of Pamphylia are
Side[3879], Aspendum[3880], situate on the side of a mountain,
Pletenissum[3881], and Perga[3882]. There is also the Promontory of
Leucolla, the mountain of Sardemisus, and the rivers Eurymedon[3883],
which flows past Aspendus, and Catarrhactes[3884], near to which is
Lyrnesus: also the towns of Olbia[3885], and Phaselis[3886], the last
on this coast.
CHAP. 27.—MOUNT TAURUS.
Adjoining to Pamphylia is the Sea of Lycia and the country of
Lycia[3887] itself, where the chain of Taurus, coming from the
eastern shores, terminates the vast Gulf[3888] by the Promontory
of Chelidonium[3889]. Of immense extent, and separating nations
innumerable, after taking its first rise at the Indian Sea[3890], it
branches off to the north on the right-hand side, and on the left
towards the south. Then taking a direction towards the west, it would
cut through the middle of Asia, were it not that the seas check it in
its triumphant career along the land. It accordingly strikes off in a
northerly direction, and forming an arc, occupies an immense tract of
country, nature, designedly as it were, every now and then throwing
seas in the way to oppose its career; here the Sea of Phœnicia, there
the Sea of Pontus, in this direction the Caspian and Hyrcanian[3891],
and then, opposite to them, the Lake Mæotis. Although somewhat
curtailed by these obstacles, it still winds along between them, and
makes its way even amidst these barriers; and victorious after all,
it then escapes with its sinuous course to the kindred chain of the
Riphæan mountains. Numerous are the names which it bears, as it is
continuously designated by new ones throughout the whole of its course.
In the first part of its career it has the name of Imaüs[3892], after
which it is known successively by the names of Emodus, Paropanisus,
Circius, Cambades, Paryadres, Choatras, Oreges, Oroandes, Niphates,
Taurus, and, where it even out-tops itself, Caucasus. Where it throws
forth its arms as though every now and then it would attempt to invade
the sea, it bears the names of Sarpedon, Coracesius, Cragus, and then
again Taurus. Where also it opens and makes a passage to admit mankind,
it still claims the credit of an unbroken continuity by giving the
name of “Gates” to these passes, which in one place are called the
“Gates of Armenia[3893],” in another the “Gates of the Caspian,” and
in another the “Gates of Cilicia.” In addition to this, when it has
been cut short in its onward career, it retires to a distance from the
seas, and covers itself on the one side and the other with the names of
numerous nations, being called, on the right-hand side the Hyrcanian
and the Caspian, and on the left the Paryadrian[3894], the Moschian,
the Amazonian, the Coraxican, and the Scythian chain. Among the Greeks
it bears the one general name of Ceraunian[3895].
CHAP. 28.—LYCIA.
In Lycia, after leaving its promontory[3896], we come to the town
of Simena, Mount Chimæra[3897], which sends forth flames by night,
and the city of Hephæstium[3898], the heights above which are also
frequently on fire. Here too formerly stood the city of Olympus[3899];
now we find the mountain places known as Gagæ[3900], Corydalla[3901],
and Rhodiopolis[3902]. Near the sea is Limyra[3903] with a river of
like name, into which the Arycandus flows, Mount Masycites[3904],
the state of Andriaca[3905], Myra[3906], the towns of Aperræ[3907]
and Antiphellos[3908], formerly called Habessus, and in a corner
Phellos[3909], after which comes Pyrra, and then the city of
Xanthus[3910], fifteen miles from the sea, as also a river known by the
same name. We then come to Patara[3911], formerly Pataros, and Sidyma,
situate on a mountain. Next comes the Promontory of Cragus[3912], and
beyond it a gulf[3913], equal to the one that comes before it; upon it
are Pinara[3914], and Telmessus[3915], the frontier town of Lycia.
Lycia formerly contained seventy towns, now it has but thirty-six.
Of these, the most celebrated, besides those already mentioned, are
Canas[3916], Candyba, so celebrated for the Œnian Grove, Podalia,
Choma, past which the river Ædesa flows, Cyaneæ[3917], Ascandalis,
Amelas, Noscopium, Tlos[3918], and Telandrus[3919]. It includes also
in the interior the district of Cabalia, the three cities of which are
Œnianda, Balbura[3920], and Bubon[3921].
On passing Telmessus we come to the Asiatic or Carpathian Sea, and the
district which is properly called Asia. Agrippa has divided this region
into two parts; one of which he has bounded on the east by Phrygia and
Lycaonia, on the west by the Ægean Sea, on the south by the Egyptian
Sea, and on the north by Paphlagonia, making its length to be 473
miles and its breadth 320. The other part he has bounded by the Lesser
Armenia on the east, Phrygia, Lycaonia, and Pamphylia on the west, the
province of Pontus on the north, and the Sea of Pamphylia on the south,
making it 575 miles in length and 325 in breadth.
CHAP. 29.—CARIA.
Upon the adjoining coast is Caria[3922], then Ionia, and beyond it
Æolis. Caria surrounds Doris, which lies in the middle, and runs down
on both sides of it to the sea. In it[3923] is the Promontory of
Pedalium[3924], the river Glaucus[3925], into which the Telmedium[3926]
discharges itself, the towns of Dædala[3927], Crya[3928], peopled by
fugitives, the river Axon[3929], and the town of Calynda[3930].
(28.) The river Indus[3931], which rises in the mountains of the
Cibyratæ[3932], receives sixty-five rivers which are constantly
flowing, besides upwards of 100 mountain torrents. Here is the free
town of Caunos[3933], then the town of Pyrnos[3934], the port of
Cressa[3935], from which the island of Rhodes is distant twenty miles;
the place where Loryma formerly stood, the towns of Tisanusa[3936],
Paridion[3937], and Larymna[3938], the Gulf of Thymnias[3939], the
Promontory of Aphrodisias[3940], the town of Hyda, the Gulf of Schœnus,
and the district of Bubasus[3941]. There was formerly the town of
Acanthus here, another name of which was Dulopolis. We then come to
Cnidos[3942], a free town, situate on a promontory, Triopia[3943], and
after that the towns of Pegusa and Stadia.
At this last town Doris begins; but, first, it may be as well to
describe the districts that lie to the back of Caria and the several
jurisdictions in the interior. The first of these[3944] is called
Cibyratica, Cibyra being a town of Phrygia. Twenty-five states resort
to it for legal purposes, together with the most famous city of
Laodicea[3945].
(29.) This place at first bore the name of Diospolis, and after
that of Rhoas, and is situate on the river Lycus, the Asopus and
the Caprus[3946] washing its sides. The other people belonging to
the same jurisdiction, whom it may be not amiss to mention, are the
Hydrelitæ[3947], the Themisones[3948], and the Hierapolitæ[3949].
The second jurisdiction receives its title from Synnas[3950]; to it
resort the Lycaones[3951], the Appiani[3952], the Eucarpeni[3953],
the Dorylæi[3954], the Midæi, the Julienses[3955], and fifteen
other peoples of no note. The third jurisdiction has its seat at
Apamea[3956], formerly called Celænæ[3957], and after that Cibotos.
This place is situate at the foot of Mount Signia, the Marsyas, the
Obrima, and the Orga, rivers which fall into the Mæander, flowing
past it. Here the Marsyas, rising from the earth, again makes its
appearance, but soon after buries itself once more at Aulocrenæ[3958],
the spot where Marsyas had the musical contest with Apollo as to
superiority of skill in playing on the flute. Aulocrenæ is the name
given to a valley which lies ten miles on the road towards Phrygia from
Apamea. As belonging to this jurisdiction, it may be as well to mention
the Metropolitæ[3959], the Dionysopolitæ[3960], the Euphorbeni[3961],
the Acmonenses[3962], the Pelteni[3963], and the Silbiani[3964],
besides nine other nations of no note.
Upon the Gulf of Doris[3965] we have Leucopolis, Hamaxitos, Eleus,
and Euthene[3966]. We then come to Pitaium, Eutane[3967], and
Halicarnassus[3968], towns of Caria. To the jurisdiction of this last
place six towns were appended by Alexander the Great, Theangela[3969],
Sibde, Medmasa, Euralium, Pedasus, and Telmissus[3970]. Halicarnassus
lies between two gulfs, those of Ceramus[3971] and Iasus[3972]. We
then come to Myndos[3973], and the former site of Palæomyndos;
also Nariandos, Neapolis[3974], Caryanda[3975], the free town of
Termera[3976], Bargyla[3977], and the town of Iasus[3978], from which
the Iasian Gulf takes its name.
Caria is especially distinguished for the fame of its places in
the interior; for here are Mylasa[3979], a free town, and that
of Antiochia[3980], on the site of the former towns of Symmæthos
and Cranaos: it is now surrounded by the rivers Mæander[3981] and
Orsinus[3982]. In this district also was formerly Mæandropolis[3983];
we find also Eumenia[3984], situate on the river Cludros, the river
Glaucus[3985], the town of Lysias and Orthosa[3986], the district
of Berecynthus[3987], Nysa[3988], and Tralles[3989], also called
Euanthia[3990], Seleucia, and Antiochia: it is washed by the river
Eudon, while the Thebais runs through it. Some authors say that a
nation of Pygmies formerly dwelt here. Besides the preceding towns,
there are Thydonos, Pyrrha[3991], Eurome[3992], Heraclea[3993],
Amyzon[3994], the free town of Alabanda[3995], which has given
name to that jurisdiction, the free town of Stratonicea[3996],
Hynidos, Ceramus[3997], Trœzene[3998], and Phorontis. At a greater
distance[3999], but resorting to the same place of jurisdiction,
are the Orthronienses, the Alindienses[4000] or Hippini, the
Xystiani[4001], the Hydissenses, the Apolloniatæ[4002], the
Trapezopolitæ[4003], and the Aphrodisienses[4004], a free people.
Besides the above, there are the towns of Coscinus[4005], and
Harpasa[4006], situate on the river Harpasus[4007], which also passed
the town of Trallicon when it was in existence.
CHAP. 30.—LYDIA.
Lydia, bathed by the sinuous and ever-recurring windings of the
river Mæander, lies extended above Ionia; it is joined by Phrygia on
the east and Mysia on the north, while on the south it runs up to
Caria: it formerly had the name of Mæonia[4008]. Its place of the
greatest celebrity is Sardes[4009], which lies on the side of Mount
Tmolus[4010], formerly called Timolus. From this mountain, which
is covered with vineyards, flows the river Pactolus[4011], also
called the Chrysorroas, and the sources of the Tarnus: this famous
city, which is situate upon the Gygæan Lake[4012], used to be called
Hyde[4013] by the people of Mæonia. This jurisdiction is now called
that of Sardes, and besides the people of the places already mentioned,
the following now resort to it—the Macedonian Cadueni[4014], the
Loreni, the Philadelpheni[4015], the Mæonii, situate on the river
Cogamus at the foot of Mount Tmolus, the Tripolitani, who are also
called the Antoniopolitæ, situate on the banks of the Mæander, the
Apollonihieritæ[4016], the Mesotimolitæ[4017], and some others of no
note.
CHAP. 31.—IONIA.
Ionia begins at the Gulf of Iasos, and has a long winding coast with
numerous bays. First comes the Gulf of Basilicum[4018], then the
Promontory[4019] and town of Posideum, and the oracle once called the
oracle of the Branchidæ[4020], but now of Didymæan Apollo, a distance
of twenty stadia from the sea-shore. One hundred and eighty stadia
thence is Miletus[4021], the capital of Ionia, which formerly had
the names of Lelegëis, Pityusa, and Anactoria, the mother of more
than ninety cities, founded upon all seas; nor must she be deprived
of the honour of having Cadmus[4022] for her citizen, who was the
first to write in prose. The river Mæander, rising from a lake in
Mount Aulocrene, waters many cities and receives numerous tributary
streams. It is so serpentine in its course, that it is often thought
to turn back to the very spot from which it came. It first runs
through the district of Apamea, then that of Eumenia, and then the
plains of Bargyla; after which, with a placid stream it passes through
Caria, watering all that territory with a slime of a most fertilizing
quality, and then at a distance of ten stadia from Miletus with a
gentle current enters the sea. We then come to Mount Latmus[4023],
the towns of Heraclea[4024], also called by the same name as the
mountain, Carice, Myus[4025], said to have been first built by Ionians
who came from Athens, Naulochum[4026], and Priene[4027]. Upon that
part of the coast which bears the name of Trogilia[4028] is the river
Gessus. This district is held sacred by all the Ionians, and thence
receives the name of Panionia. Near to it was formerly the town of
Phygela, built by fugitives, as its name implies[4029], and that of
Marathesium[4030]. Above these places is Magnesia[4031], distinguished
by the surname of the “Mæandrian,” and sprung from Magnesia in
Thessaly: it is distant from Ephesus fifteen miles, and three more from
Tralles. It formerly had the names of Thessaloche and Androlitia, and,
lying on the sea-shore, it has withdrawn from the sea the islands known
as the Derasidæ[4032] and joined them to the mainland. In the interior
also is Thyatira[4033], washed by the Lycus; for some time it was also
called Pelopia and Euhippia[4034].
Upon the coast again is Mantium, and Ephesus[4035], which was founded
by the Amazons[4036], and formerly called by so many names: Alopes at
the time of the Trojan war, after that Ortygia and Morges, and then
Smyrna, with the surname of Trachia, as also Samornion and Ptelea.
This city is built on Mount Pion, and is washed by the Caÿster[4037],
a river which rises in the Cilbian range and brings down the waters of
many streams[4038], as also of Lake Pegasæus[4039], which receives
those discharged by the river Phyrites[4040]. From these streams there
accumulates a large quantity of slime, which vastly increases the
soil, and has added to the mainland the island of Syrie[4041], which
now lies in the midst of its plains. In this city is the fountain of
Calippia[4042] and the temple of Diana, which last is surrounded by two
streams, each known by the name of Selenus, and flowing from opposite
directions.
After leaving Ephesus there is another Mantium, belonging to the
Colophonians, and in the interior Colophon[4043] itself, past which
the river Halesus[4044] flows. After this we come to the temple[4045]
of the Clarian Apollo, and Lebedos[4046]: the city of Notium[4047]
once stood here. Next comes the Promontory of Coryceium[4048], and
then Mount Mimas, which projects 150 miles into the sea, and as it
approaches the mainland sinks down into extensive plains. It was at
this place that Alexander the Great gave orders for the plain to be
cut through, a distance of seven miles and a half, for the purpose of
joining the two gulfs and making an island of Erythræ[4049] and Mimas.
Near Erythræ formerly stood the towns of Pteleon, Helos, and Dorion;
we now find the river Aleon, Corynæum, a Promontory of Mount Mimas,
Clazomenæ[4050], Parthenie[4051], and Hippi[4052], known by the name
of Chytrophoria, when it formed a group of islands; these were united
to the continent by the same Alexander, by means of a causeway[4053]
two stadia in length. In the interior, the cities of Daphnus, Hermesia,
and Sipylum[4054], formerly called Tantalis, and the capital of Mæonia,
where Lake Sale now stands, are now no longer in existence: Archæopolis
too, which succeeded Sipylum, has perished, and in their turns Colpe
and Libade, which succeeded it.
On returning thence[4055] towards the coast, at a distance of twelve
miles we find Smyrna[4056], originally founded by an Amazon [of that
name], and rebuilt by Alexander; it is refreshed by the river Meles,
which rises not far off. Through this district run what may almost
be called the most famous mountains of Asia, Mastusia in the rear of
Smyrna, and Termetis[4057], joining the foot of Olympus. Termetis is
joined by Draco, Draco running into Tmolus, Tmolus into Cadmus[4058],
and Cadmus into Taurus. Leaving Smyrna, the river Hermus forms a tract
of plains, and gives them its own name. It rises near Dorylæum[4059], a
city of Phrygia, and in its course receives several rivers, among them
the one called the Phryx, which divides Caria from the nation to which
it gives name; also the Hyllus[4060] and the Cryos, themselves swollen
by the rivers of Phrygia, Mysia, and Lydia. At the mouth of the Hermus
formerly stood the town of Temnos[4061]: we now see at the extremity of
the gulf[4062] the rocks called Myrmeces[4063], the town of Leuce[4064]
on a promontory which was once an island, and Phocæa[4065], the
frontier town of Ionia.
A great part also of Æolia, of which we shall have presently to speak,
has recourse to the jurisdiction of Smyrna; as well as the Macedones,
surnamed Hyrcani[4066], and the Magnetes[4067] from Sipylus. But to
Ephesus, that other great luminary of Asia, resort the more distant
peoples known as the Cæsarienses[4068], the Metropolitæ[4069], the
Cilbiani[4070], both the Lower and Upper, the Mysomacedones[4071], the
Mastaurenses[4072], the Briulitæ[4073], the Hypæpeni[4074], and the
Dioshïeritæ[4075].
CHAP. 32. (30.)—ÆOLIS.
Æolis[4076] comes next, formerly known as Mysia, and Troas which
is adjacent to the Hellespont. Here, after passing Phocæa, we come
to the Ascanian Port, then the spot where Larissa[4077] stood, and
then Cyme[4078], Myrina, also called Sebastopolis[4079], and in the
interior, Ægæ[4080], Attalia[4081], Posidea, Neontichos[4082], and
Temnos[4083]. Upon the shore we come to the river Titanus, and the
city which from it derives its name. Grynia[4084] also stood here on
an island reclaimed from the sea and joined to the land: now only its
harbours are left[4085]. We then come to the town of Elæa[4086], the
river Caïcus[4087], which flows from Mysia, the town of Pitane[4088],
and the river Canaïus. The following towns no longer exist—Canæ[4089],
Lysimachia[4090], Atarnea[4091], Carene[4092], Cisthene[4093],
Cilla[4094], Cocylium[4095], Theba[4096], Astyre[4097], Chrysa[4098],
Palæscepsis[4099], Gergitha[4100], and Neandros[4101]. We then come
to the city of Perperene[4102], which still survives, the district
of Heracleotes, the town of Coryphas[4103], the rivers Grylios and
Ollius, the region of Aphrodisias[4104], which formerly had the name
of Politice Orgas, the district of Scepsis[4105], and the river
Evenus[4106], on whose banks the towns of Lyrnesos[4107] and Miletos
have fallen to decay. In this district also is Mount Ida[4108], and
on the coast Adramytteos[4109], formerly called Pedasus, which gives
its name to the gulf and the jurisdiction so called. The other rivers
are the Astron, Cormalos, Crianos, Alabastros, and Hieros, flowing
from Mount Ida: in the interior is Mount Gargara[4110], with a town
of the same name. Again, on the coast we meet with Antandros[4111],
formerly called Edonis, and after that Cimmeris and Assos, also
called Apollonia. The town of Palamedium also formerly stood here.
The Promontory of Lecton[4112] separates Æolis from Troas. In Æolis
there was formerly the city of Polymedia, as also Chrysa, and a
second Larissa. The temple of Smintheus[4113] is still standing;
Colone[4114] in the interior has perished. To Adramyttium resort upon
matters of legal business the Apolloniatæ[4115], whose town is on
the river Rhyndacus[4116], the Erizii[4117], the Miletopolitæ[4118],
the Pœmaneni[4119], the Macedonian Asculacæ, the Polichnæi[4120],
the Pionitæ[4121], the Cilician Mandacadeni, and, in Mysia, the
Abrettini[4122], the people known as the Hellespontii[4123], and others
of less note.
CHAP. 33.—TROAS AND THE ADJOINING NATIONS.
The first place in Troas is Hamaxitus[4124], then Cebrenia[4125],
and then Troas[4126] itself, formerly called Antigonia, and now
Alexandria, a Roman colony. We then come to the town of Nee[4127], the
Scamander[4128], a navigable river, and the spot where in former times
the town of Sigeum[4129] stood, upon a promontory. We next come to the
Port of the Achæans[4130], into which the Xanthus[4131] flows after
its union with the Simois[4132], and forms the Palæscamander[4133],
which was formerly a lake. The other rivers, rendered famous by Homer,
namely, the Rhesus, the Heptaporus, the Caresus, and the Rhodius,
have left no vestiges of their existence. The Granicus[4134], taking
a different route, flows into the Propontis[4135]. The small city of
Scamandria, however, still exists, and, at a distance of a mile and a
half from its harbour, Ilium[4136], a place exempt from tribute[4137],
the fountain-head of universal fame. Beyond the gulf are the shores of
Rhœteum[4138], peopled by the towns of Rhœteum[4139], Dardanium[4140],
and Arisbe[4141]. There was also in former times a town of
Achilleon[4142], founded near the tomb of Achilles by the people of
Mitylene, and afterwards rebuilt by the Athenians, close to the spot
where his fleet had been stationed near Sigeum. There was also the town
of Æantion[4143], founded by the Rhodians upon the opposite point,
near the tomb of Ajax, at a distance of thirty stadia from Sigeum,
near the spot where his fleet was stationed. Above Æolis and part of
Troas, in the interior, is the place called Teuthrania[4144], inhabited
in ancient times by the Mysians. Here rises the river Caïcus already
mentioned. Teuthrania was a powerful nation in itself, even when the
whole of Æolis was held by the Mysians. In it are the Pioniæ[4145],
Andera[4146], Cale, Stabulum, Conisium, Teium, Balcea[4147], Tiare,
Teuthranie, Sarnaca, Haliserne, Lycide, Parthenium, Thymbre, Oxyopum,
Lygdamum, Apollonia, and Pergamum[4148], by far the most famous
city in Asia, and through which the river Selinus runs; the Cetius,
which rises in Mount Pindasus, flowing before it. Not far from it is
Elæa, which we have mentioned[4149] as situate on the sea-shore. The
jurisdiction of this district is called that of Pergamus; to it resort
the Thyatireni[4150], the Mosyni, the Mygdones[4151], the Bregmeni, the
Hierocometæ[4152], the Perpereni, the Tiareni, the Hierolophienses,
the Hermocapelitæ, the Attalenses[4153], the Panteenses, the
Apollonidienses, and some other states unknown to fame. The little town
of Dardanum[4154] is distant from Rhœteum seventy stadia. Eighteen
miles thence is the Promontory of Trapeza[4155], from which spot the
Hellespont first commences its course.
Eratosthenes tells us that in Asia there have perished the nations
of the Solymi[4156], the Leleges[4157], the Bebryces[4158], the
Colycantii, and the Tripsedri. Isidorus adds to these the Arimi[4159],
as also the Capretæ, settled on the spot where Apamea[4160] stands,
which was founded by King Seleucus, between Cilicia, Cappadocia,
Cataonia, and Armenia, and was at first called Damea[4161], from the
fact that it had conquered nations most remarkable for their fierceness.
CHAP. 34. (31.)—THE ISLANDS WHICH LIE IN FRONT OF ASIA.
Of the islands which lie before Asia the first is the one situate in
the Canopic Mouth of the Nile, and which received its name, it is
said, from Canopus, the pilot of Menelaüs. A second, called Pharos, is
joined by a bridge to Alexandria, and was made a colony by the Dictator
Cæsar. In former times it was one day’s sail[4162] from the mainland
of Egypt; at the present day it directs ships in their course by means
of the fires which are lighted at night on the tower[4163] there;
for in consequence of the insidious nature of the shoals, there are
only three channels by which Alexandria can be approached, those of
Steganus[4164], Posideum[4165] and Taurus.
In the Phœnician Sea, before Joppe there is the island of Paria[4166],
the whole of it forming a town. Here, they say, Andromeda was exposed
to the monster: the island also of Arados, already mentioned[4167],
between which and the continent, as we learn from Mucianus, at a depth
of fifty cubits in the sea, fresh water is brought up from a spring at
the very bottom by means of leather pipes[4168].
CHAP. 35.—CYPRUS.
The Pamphylian Sea contains some islands of little note. The Cilician,
besides four others of very considerable size, has Cyprus[4169],
which lies opposite to the shores of Cilicia and Syria, running
east and west; in former times it was the seat of nine kingdoms.
Timosthenes states that the circumference of this island is 427
miles, Isidorus[4170] 375; its length, between the two Promontories
of Dinæ[4171] and Acamas[4172] lying on the west, is, according to
Artemidorus, 160-1/2 miles, according to Timosthenes, 200. Philonides
says that it was formerly called Acamantis, Xenagoras that it had
the names of Cerastis[4173], Aspelia, Amathusia, and Macaria[4174],
while Astynomus gives it the names of Cryptos[4175] and Colinia.
Its towns are fifteen in number, Neapaphos[4176], Palæpaphos[4177],
Curias[4178], Citium[4179], Corineum, Salamis[4180], Amathus[4181],
Lapethos[4182], Solœ, Tamasos[4183], Epidarum, Chytri[4184],
Arsinoë[4185], Carpasium[4186], and Golgi[4187]. The towns of Cinyria,
Marium, and Idalium[4188] are no longer in existence. It is distant
from Anemurium[4189] in Cilicia fifty miles; the sea which runs between
the two shores being called the Channel of Cilicia[4190]. In the same
locality[4191] is the island of Eleusa[4192], and the four islands
known as the Clides[4193], lying before the promontory which faces
Syria; and again at the end of the other cape[4194] is Stiria: over
against Neapaphos is Hierocepia[4195], and opposite to Salamis are the
Salaminiæ.
In the Lycian Sea are the islands of Illyris, Telendos, and
Attelebussa[4196], the three barren isles called Cypriæ, and Dionysia,
formerly called Caretha. Opposite to the Promontory of Taurus are
the Chelidoniæ[4197], as many in number, and extremely dangerous to
mariners. Further on we find Leucolla with its town, the Pactyæ[4198],
Lasia, Nymphäis, Macris, and Megista, the city on which last no longer
exists. After these there are many that are not worthy of notice.
Opposite, however, to Cape Chimæra is Dolichiste[4199], Chœrogylion,
Crambussa[4200], Rhoge[4201], Enagora, eight miles in circumference,
the two islands of Dædala[4202], the three of Crya[4203], Strongyle,
and over against Sidyma[4204] the isle of Antiochus. Towards the mouth
of the river Glaucus[4205], there are Lagussa[4206], Macris, Didymæ,
Helbo, Scope, Aspis, Telandria, the town of which no longer exists,
and, in the vicinity of Caunus[4207], Rhodussa.
CHAP. 36.—RHODES.
But the fairest of them all is the free island of Rhodes, 125, or,
if we would rather believe Isidorus, 103 miles in circumference.
It contains the inhabited cities of Lindos, Camirus[4208], and
Ialysus[4209], now called Rhodos. It is distant from Alexandria
in Egypt, according to Isidorus, 583 miles; but, according to
Eratosthenes, 469. Mucianus says, that its distance from Cyprus is
166. This island was formerly called Ophiussa[4210], Asteria[4211],
Æthria[4212], Trinacrie[4213], Corymbia[4214], Pœeëssa[4215],
Atabyria[4216], from the name of one of its kings; and, in later
times, Macaria[4217] and Oloessa[4218]. The islands of the Rhodians
are Carpathus[4219], which has given its name to the surrounding sea;
Casos[4220], formerly known as Achne[4221]; Nisyros[4222], twelve miles
distant from Cnidos, and formerly called Porphyris[4223]; and, in the
same vicinity, midway between Rhodes and Cnidos, Syme[4224]. This
island is thirty-seven miles and a half in circumference, and welcomes
us with eight fine harbours. Besides these islands, there are, in the
vicinity of Rhodes, those of Cyclopis, Teganon, Cordylussa[4225], the
four islands called Diabetæ[4226], Hymos, Chalce[4227], with its city
of that name, Seutlussa[4228], Narthecussa[4229], Dimastos, Progne;
and, off Cnidos, Cisserussa, Therionarce, and Calydne[4230], with the
three towns of Notium, Nisyros, and Mendeterus. In Arconnesus[4231]
there is the town of Ceramus. Off the coast of Caria, there are the
islands known as the Argiæ, twenty in number; also Hyetussa[4232],
Lepsia, and Leros.
The most noted island, however, in this gulf is that of Cos[4233],
fifteen miles distant from Halicarnassus, and 100 in circumference,
according to the opinion of many writers. It was formerly called
Merope; according to Staphylus, Cea; Meropis, as Dionysius tells
us; and, after that, Nymphæa. In this island there is Mount Prion.
Nisyros[4234], formerly called Porphyris, is supposed to have been
severed from the island of Cos. We next come to the island of
Caryanda[4235], with a city of that name, and that of Pidosus[4236],
not far from Halicarnassus. In the Gulf of Ceramicus we also find
Priaponnesos[4237], Hipponnesos, Psyra, Mya, Lampsa, Æmyndus, Passala,
Crusa, Pinnicussa, Sepiussa[4238], and Melano. At a short distance from
the mainland is an island which bears the name of Cinædopolis, from the
circumstance that King Alexander left behind there certain persons of a
most disgraceful character.
CHAP. 37.—SAMOS.
The coast of Ionia has the islands of Trageæ, Corseæ[4239], and Icaros,
which has been previously[4240] mentioned; Lade[4241], formerly
called Late; and, among others of no note, the two Camelidæ[4242], in
the vicinity of Miletus; and the three Trogiliæ[4243], near Mycale,
consisting of Philion, Argennon, and Sandalion. There is Samos also, a
free[4244] island, eighty-seven miles in circumference, or, according
to Isidorus, 100. Aristotle tells us, that it was at first called
Parthenia[4245], after that Dryussa[4246], and then Anthemussa[4247].
To these names Aristocritus has added Melamphyllus[4248] and
Cyparissia[4249]: other writers, again, call it Parthenoarussa[4250]
and Stephane[4251]. The rivers of this island are the Imbrasus, the
Chesius, and the Ibettes. There are also the fountains of Gigartho
and Leucothea; and Mount Cercetius. In the vicinity of Samos are the
islands of Rhypara, Nymphæa, and Achillea.
CHAP. 38.—CHIOS.
At a distance of ninety-four miles from Samos is the free island of
Chios[4252], its equal in fame, with a town of the same name. Ephorus
says, that the ancient name of this island was Æthalia; Metrodorus and
Cleobulus tell us, that it had the name of Chia from the nymph Chione;
others again say, that it was so called from the word signifying
snow[4253]; it was also called Macris and Pityusa[4254]. It has a
mountain called Pelennæus; and the Chian marble is well known. It is
125[4255] miles in circumference, according to the ancient writers;
Isidorus however makes it nine more. It is situate between Samos and
Lesbos, and, for the most part, lies opposite to Erythræ[4256].
The adjacent islands, are Thallusa[4257], by some writers called
Daphnusa[4258], Œnussa, Elaphitis, Euryanassa, and Arginusa, with a
town of that name. All these islands are in the vicinity of Ephesus,
as also those called the Islands of Pisistratus, Anthinæ, Myonnesos,
Diarreusa,—in both of these last there were cities, now no longer
in existence,—Poroselene[4259], with a city of that name, Cerciæ,
Halone[4260], Commone, Illetia, Lepria and Rhesperia, Procusæ, Bolbulæ,
Phanæ, Priapos, Syce, Melane, Ænare, Sidusa, Pele, Drymusa[4261],
Anhydros, Scopelos[4262], Sycussa, Marathussa, Psile, Perirreusa, and
many others of no note. In the main sea lies the celebrated island of
Teos, with a city[4263] of that name, seventy-one miles and a half
distant from Chios, and the same from the Erythræ.
In the vicinity of Smyrna are the Peristerides[4264], Carteria,
Alopece, Elæussa, Bachina, Pystira, Crommyonnesos, and Megale[4265].
Facing Troas there are the Ascaniæ, and the three islands called
Plateæ. We find also the Lamiæ, the two islands called Plitaniæ, Plate,
Scopelos, Getone, Arthedon, Cœlæ, Lagussæ, and Didymæ.
CHAP. 39.—LESBOS.
But Lesbos[4266], distant from Chios sixty-five miles, is the most
celebrated of them all. It was formerly called Himerte, Lasia,
Pelasgia, Ægira, Æthiope, and Macaria, and is famous for its nine
cities. Of these, however, that of Pyrrha has been swallowed up by the
sea, Arisbe[4267] has perished by an earthquake, and Methymna is now
united to Antissa[4268]; these lie in the vicinity of nine cities of
Asia, along a coast of thirty-seven miles. The towns of Agamede and
Hiera have also perished. Eresos[4269], Pyrrha, and the free city of
Mitylene[4270], still survive, the last of which was a powerful city
for a space of 1500 years. The circumference of the whole island is,
according to Isidorus, 168 miles[4271], but the older writers say 195.
Its mountains are, Lepethymnus, Ordymnus, Macistus, Creon, and Olympus.
It is distant seven miles and a half from the nearest point of the
mainland. The islands in its vicinity are, Sandaleon, and the five
called Leucæ[4272]; Cydonea[4273], which is one of them, contains a
warm spring. The Arginussæ[4274] are four miles distant from Æge[4275];
after them come Phellusa[4276] and Pedna. Beyond the Hellespont, and
opposite the shore of Sigeum, lies Tenedos[4277], also known by the
names of Leucophrys[4278], Phœnice, and Lyrnesos. It is distant from
Lesbos fifty-six miles, and twelve and a half from Sigeum.
CHAP. 40. (32.)—THE HELLESPONT AND MYSIA.
The tide of the Hellespont now begins to run with greater violence,
and the sea beats against the shore, undermining with its eddies the
barriers that stand in its way, until it has succeeded in separating
Asia from Europe. At this spot is the promontory which we have already
mentioned as Trapeza[4279]; ten miles distant from which is the city
of Abydos[4280], where the straits are only seven stadia wide; then
the town of Percote[4281]; Lampsacus[4282], at first called Pityusa;
the colony of Parium[4283], which Homer calls by the name of Adrastia;
the town of Priapos[4284]; the river Æsepus[4285]; Zelia[4286]; and
then the Propontis[4287], that being the name given to the tract of
sea where it enlarges. We then come to the river Granicus[4288], and
the harbour of Artace[4289], where a town formerly stood. Beyond
this is an island which Alexander joined to the continent, and upon
which is Cyzicus[4290], a city of the Milesians, which was formerly
called Arctonnesos[4291], Dolionis, and Dindymis; above it are the
heights of Mount Dindymus[4292]. We then come to the towns of Placia,
Ariace[4293], and Scylace; in the rear of which places is Mount
Olympus, known as the “Mysian Olympus,” and the city of Olympena. There
are also the rivers Horisius[4294] and Rhyndacus[4295], formerly called
the Lycus; this last river rises in Lake Artynias, near Miletopolis,
and receives the Macestos, and many other streams, dividing in its
course Asia[4296] from Bithynia[4297].
This country was at first called by the name of Cronia, after that,
Thessalis, and then Malianda and Strymonis. The people of it are by
Homer called Halizones[4298], from the fact that it was a nation
begirt by the sea. There was formerly a vast city here, Attussa
by name; at present there are twelve cities in existence; among
which is Gordiucome[4299], otherwise Juliopolis; and, on the coast,
Dascylos[4300]. We then come to the river Gelbes[4301]; and, in the
interior, the town of Helgas, or Germanicopolis, which has also the
other name of Booscœte[4302]; Apamea[4303], now more generally known
as Myrlea of the Colophonians: the river Etheleus also, the ancient
boundary of Troas, and the commencement of Mysia. Next to this comes
the gulf[4304] into which the river Ascanius flows, the town of
Bryllion[4305], and the rivers Hylas and Cios, with a town of the same
name as the last-mentioned river; it was founded by the Milesians at
a place which was called Ascania of Phrygia, as an entrepôt for the
trade of the Phrygians who dwelt in the vicinity. We may therefore look
upon this as a not ineligible opportunity for making further mention of
Phrygia.
CHAP. 41.—PHRYGIA.
Phrygia lies above Troas, and the peoples already mentioned as
extending from the Promontory of Lectum[4306] to the river Etheleus.
On its northern side it borders upon Galatia, on the south it joins
Lycaonia, Pisidia, and Mygdonia, and, on the east, it touches upon
Cappadocia. The more celebrated towns there, besides those already
mentioned, are Ancyra[4307], Andria, Celænæ[4308], Colossæ[4309],
Carina[4310], Cotyaion[4311], Ceraine, Conium, and Midaium. There are
authors who say that the Mœsi, the Brygi, and the Thyni crossed over
from Europe, and that from them are descended the peoples called the
Mysi, Phryges, and Bithyni.
CHAP. 42.—GALATIA AND THE ADJOINING NATIONS.
On this occasion also it seems that we ought to speak of Galatia[4312],
which lies above Phrygia, and includes the greater part of the
territory taken from that province, as also its former capital,
Gordium[4313]. The Gauls[4314] who have settled in these parts, are
called the Tolistobogi, the Voturi, and the Ambitouti; those who
dwell in Mæonia and Paphlagonia are called the Trocmi. Cappadocia
stretches along to the north-east of Galatia, its most fertile parts
being possessed by the Tectosages and the Teutobodiaci. These are
the nations by which those parts are occupied; and they are divided
into peoples and tetrarchies, 195 in number. Its towns are, among the
Tectosages, Ancyra[4315]; among the Trocmi, Tavium[4316]; and, among
the Tolistobogi, Pessinus[4317]. Besides the above, the best known
among the peoples of this region are the Actalenses, the Arasenses, the
Comenses[4318], the Didienses, the Hierorenses, the Lystreni[4319],
the Neapolitani, the Œandenses, the Seleucenses[4320], the
Sebasteni[4321], the Timoniacenses[4322], and the Thebaseni[4323].
Galatia also touches upon Carbalia in Pamphylia, and the Milyæ[4324],
about Baris; also upon Cyllanticum and Oroandicum[4325], a district
of Pisidia, and Obizene, a part of Lycaonia. Besides those already
mentioned[4326], its rivers are the Sangarius[4327] and the
Gallus[4328], from which last the priests[4329] of the Mother of the
gods have taken their name.
CHAP. 43.—BITHYNIA.
And now as to the remaining places on this coast. On the road from Cios
into the interior is Prusa[4330], in Bithynia, founded by Hannibal at
the foot of Olympus, at a distance of twenty-five miles from Nicæa,
Lake Ascanius[4331] lying between them. We then come to Nicæa[4332],
formerly called Olbia, and situate at the bottom of the Ascanian Gulf;
as also a second place called Prusa[4333], at the foot of Mount Hypius.
Pythopolis, Parthenopolis, and Coryphanta are no longer in existence.
Along the coast we find the rivers Æsius, Bryazon, Plataneus, Areus,
Æsyros, Geodos, also called Chrysorroas[4334], and the promontory[4335]
upon which once stood the town of Megarice. The gulf that here runs
inland received the name of Craspedites from the circumstance of that
town lying, as it were, upon its skirt[4336]. Astacum[4337], also,
formerly stood here, from which the same gulf has received the name
of the ‘Astacenian’: the town of Libyssa[4338] formerly stood at
the spot where we now see nothing but the tomb of Hannibal. At the
bottom of the gulf lies Nicomedia[4339], a famous city of Bithynia;
then comes the Promontory of Leucatas[4340], by which the Astacenian
Gulf is bounded, and thirty-seven miles distant from Nicomedia; and
then, the land again approaching the other side, the straits[4341]
which extend as far as the Thracian Bosporus. Upon these are situate
Chalcedon[4342], a free town, sixty-two miles from Nicomedia, formerly
called Procerastis[4343], then Colpusa, and after that the “City of
the Blind,” from the circumstance that its founders did not know where
to build their city, Byzantium being only seven stadia distant, a site
which is preferable in every respect.
In the interior of Bithynia are the colony of Apamea[4344], the
Agrippenses, the Juliopolitæ, and Bithynion[4345]; the rivers Syrium,
Laphias, Pharnacias, Alces, Serinis, Lilæus, Scopius, and Hieras[4346],
which separates Bithynia from Galatia. Beyond Chalcedon formerly stood
Chrysopolis[4347], and then Nicopolis, of which the gulf, upon which
stands the Port of Amycus[4348], still retains the name; then the
Promontory of Naulochum, and Estiæ[4349], a temple of Neptune[4350].
We then come to the Bosporus, which again separates Asia from Europe,
the distance across being half a mile; it is distant twelve miles
and a half from Chalcedon. The first entrance of this strait is
eight miles and three-quarters wide, at the place where the town of
Spiropolis[4351] formerly stood. The Thyni occupy the whole of the
coast, the Bithyni the interior. This is the termination of Asia,
and of the 282 peoples, that are to be found between the Gulf of
Lycia[4352] and this spot. We have already[4353] mentioned the length
of the Hellespont and Propontis to the Thracian Bosporus as being 239
miles; from Chalcedon to Sigeum, Isidorus makes the distance 322-1/2.
CHAP. 44.—THE ISLANDS OF THE PROPONTIS.
The islands of the Propontis are, before Cyzicus, Elaphonnesus[4354],
from whence comes the Cyzican marble; it is also known by the names
of Neuris and Proconnesus. Next come Ophiussa[4355], Acanthus, Phœbe,
Scopelos, Porphyrione, Halone[4356], with a city of that name,
Delphacia, Polydora, and Artaceon, with its city. There is also,
opposite to Nicomedia, Demonnesos[4357]; and, beyond Heraclea, and
opposite to Bithynia, the island of Thynias, by the barbarians called
Bithynia; the island of Antiochia: and, at the mouth of the Rhyndacus,
Besbicos[4358], eighteen miles in circumference; the islands also of
Elæa, the two called Rhodussæ, and those of Erebinthus[4359], Megale,
Chalcitis[4360], and Pityodes[4361].
SUMMARY.—Towns and nations spoken of ****. Noted rivers ****. Famous
mountains ****. Islands, 118 in number. People or towns no longer in
existence ****. Remarkable events, narratives, and observations ****.
ROMAN AUTHORS QUOTED.—Agrippa[4362], Suetonius Paulinus[4363],
M. Varro[4364], Varro Atacinus[4365], Cornelius Nepos[4366],
Hyginus[4367], L. Vetus[4368], Mela[4369], Domitius Corbulo[4370],
Licinius Mucianus[4371], Claudius Cæsar[4372], Arruntius[4373], Livius
the Son[4374], Sebosus[4375], the Register of the Triumphs[4376].
* * * * *
FOREIGN AUTHORS QUOTED.—King Juba[4377], Hecatæus[4378],
Hellanicus[4379], Damastes[4380], Dicæarchus[4381], Bæton[4382],
Timosthenes[4383], Philonides[4384], Zenagoras[4385], Astynomus[4386],
Staphylus[4387], Aristoteles[4388], Aristocritus[4389],
Dionysius[4390], Ephorus[4391], Eratosthenes[4392], Hipparchus[4393],
Panætius[4394], Serapion[4395] of Antioch, Callimachus[4396],
Agathocles[4397], Polybius[4398], Timæus[4399] the mathematician,
Herodotus[4400], Myrsilus[4401], Alexander Polyhistor[4402],
Metrodorus[4403], Posidonius[4404], who wrote the Periplus and the
Periegesis, Sotades[4405], Periander[4406], Aristarchus[4407]
of Sicyon, Eudoxus[4408], Antigenes[4409], Callicrates[4410],
Xenophon[4411] of Lampsacus, Diodorus[4412] of Syracuse, Hanno[4413],
Himilco[4414], Nymphodorus[4415], Calliphanes[4416], Artemidorus[4417],
Megasthenes[4418], Isidorus[4419], Cleobulus[4420], and
Aristocreon[4421].
END OF VOL. I.
APPENDIX OF CORRECTIONS.
Page 1, line 9, The allusion, otherwise obscure, is to the fact that
some friends of Catullus had filched a set of
table-napkins, which had been given to him by
Veranius and Fabius, and substituted others
in their place.
„ 13, „ 2, _for_ Roman figures, _read_ other figures.
„ 20, „ 7, _for_ the God of nature; he also tends, _down to_
and most excellent, _read_ the God of nature. He
supplies light to the universe, and dispels all
darkness; He both conceals and reveals the other
stars. It is He that regulates the seasons, and,
in the course of nature, governs the year as it
ever springs anew into birth; it is He that dispels
the gloom of the heavens, and sheds his light upon
the clouds of the human mind. He, too, lends his
brightness to the other stars. He is most brilliant
and most excellent.
„ 21, „ 13, _for_ elected, _read_ erected.
„ 21, „ 13, _for_ good fortune, _read_ evil fortune.
„ 23, „ 18, _for_ our scepticism concerning God is still
increased, _read_ our conjectures concerning God
become more vague still.
„ 23, „ 31, _for_ and the existence of God becomes doubtful,
_read_ whereby the very existence of a God is shewn
to be uncertain.
„ 33, „ 4, _for_ as she receives, _read_ as receives.
„ 54, „ 15, _for_ the seventh of the circumference, _read_ the
seventh of the third of the circumference.
„ 59, „ 36, _for_ transeuntia, _read_ transcurrentia.
„ 67, „ 26, _for_ circumstances, _read_ influences.
„ 78, „ 9, _for_ higher winds, _read_ higher waves.
„ 78, „ 17, _for_ the male winds are therefore regulated by
the odd numbers, _read_ hence it is that the odd
numbers are generally looked upon as males.
„ 79, „ 15, _for_ of the cloud, _read_ of the icy cloud.
„ 79, „ 21, _for_ sprinkling it with vinegar, _read_ throwing
vinegar against it.
„ 79, „ 22, _for_ this substance, _read_ that liquid.
„ 80, „ 13, _for_ but not until, _read_ and not after.
„ 80, „ 14, _for_ the former is diffused, _down to_ impulse,
_read_ the latter is diffused in the blast, the
former is condensed by the violent impulse.
„ 80, „ 17, _for_ dash, _read_ crash.
„ 81, „ 21, _for_ thunder-storms, _read_ thunder-bolts.
„ 81, „ 27, _for_ their operation, _read_ its operation.
„ 82, „ 8, _for_ thunder-storms, _read_ thunder-bolts.
„ 85, „ 2, _for_ blown up, _read_ blasted.
„ 88, „ 15, _for_ the east, _read_ the west.
„ 89, „ 11, _for_ even a stone, _read_ ever a stone.
„ 92, „ 9, _for_ how many things do we compel her to produce
spontaneously, _read_ how many things do we compel
her to produce! How many things does she pour forth
spontaneously!
„ 92, „ 10, _for_ odours and flowers, _read_ odours and
flavours.
„ 93, „ 16, _for_ luxuries, _read_ caprices.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The weight of testimony inclines to the latter. The mere titles of
the works which have been written on the subject would fill a volume.
[2] At a wedding feast, as mentioned by him in B. ix. c. 58. She was
then the wife of Caligula.
[3] Related in B. ix. c. 5.
[4] Here at Tusdrita, he saw L. Coisicius, who it was said had been
changed from a woman into a man. See B. vii. c. 3. Phlegon Trallianus
and Ausonius also refer to the story.
[5] See B. xvi. c. 2, and B. xxxi. c. 19.
[6] Plinii Ep. B. vi. Ep. 16.
[7] Twenty-fourth August.
[8] “Fortes fortuna juvat.”
[9] B. iii. Ep. 5.
[10] Nero Claudius Drusus, the son of Livia, afterwards the wife of
Augustus. He was the father of the Emperor Claudius, and died in
Germany of the effects of an accident.
[11] “Studiosus.” This work has perished.
[12] “De Dubia Sermone.” A few scattered fragments of it still survive.
[13] 23rd of August.
[14] For astrological presages.
[15] At midwinter, this hour would answer at Rome to our midnight.
[16] At midwinter, this would be between six and seven in the evening.
[17] “Electorum Commentarii.”
[18] B. viii. c. 34. His acrimony may however, in this instance, have
outstripped his discretion. Though indebted to them for by far the
largest amount of his information on almost every subject, he seems to
have had a strong aversion to the Greeks, and repeatedly charges them
with lying, viciousness, boasting, and vanity. See B. ii. c. 112; B.
iii. c. 6; B. v. c. 1; B. xv. c. 5; B. xix. c. 26; B. xxviii. c. 29; B.
xxxvii. c. 74.
[19] Of Vespasian and Titus for certain; and probably of Nero, who
appointed him “procurator Cæsaris” in Spain.
[20] Even on that point he contradicts himself in the next Book. See B.
viii. c. 19, and 64, in reference to the lion and the horse.
[21] See B. vii. c. 51.
[22] “Summa vitæ felicitas.” B. vii. c. 54.
[23] B. vii. c. 53.
[24] He loses no opportunity of inveighing against luxury and
sensuality.
[25] The question as to a future existence he calls “Manium ambages,”
“quiddities about the Manes.” B. vii. c. 56.
[26] See B. vii. c. 53.
[27] We have already seen that in his earlier years he was warned in a
vision by Drusus to write the history of the wars in Germany; but there
is a vast difference between paying attention to the suggestions of a
dream, and believing in the immortality of the soul, or the existence
of disembodied spirits.
[28] B. vii. c. 53.
[29] B. vii. c. 58, 59, 60.
[30] Mankind must surely have agreed before this in making the
instruments employed in shaving.
[31] “Discours Premier sur l’Histoire Naturelle.”
[32] Biographie Universelle. Vol. 35. Art. _Pline_.
[33] This, however, is not the fault of Pliny, but the result of
imperfect tradition. To have described _every_ object _minutely_ that
he has named, and of which he has given the peculiar properties, would
have swollen his book to a most enormous size, almost indeed beyond
conception.
[34] Lemaire informs us, in his title-page, that the two first books of
the Natural History are edited by M. Alexandre, in his edition.
[35] “Jucundissime;” it is not easy to find an epithet in our language
which will correctly express the meaning of the original, affectionate
and familiar, at the same time that it is sufficiently dignified and
respectful.
[36] Lamb’s trans.; Carm. i. 4. of the original.
[37] “Conterraneus;” we have no word in English which expresses the
idea intended by the original, and which is, at the same time, a
military term. There is indeed some reason to doubt, whether the word
now inserted in the text was the one employed by the author: see
the remarks of M. Alexandre, in Lem. i. 3; also an observation in
Cigalino’s dissertation on the native country of Pliny; Valpy, 8.
[38] “Permutatis prioribus sætabis;” Carm. xii. 14; xxv. 7; see the
notes in Lamb’s trans. pp. 135 & 149.
[39] These names in the original are Varaniolus and Fabullus, which are
supposed to have been changed from Veranius and Fabius, as terms of
familiarity and endearment; see Poinsinet, i. 24, and Lemaire, i. 4.
[40] The narrative of Suetonius may serve to illustrate the observation
of Pliny: “Triumphavit (Titus) cum patre, censuramque gessit una. Eidem
collega et in tribunicia potestate, et in septem consulatibus fuit.
Receptaque ad se prope omnium officiorum cura, cum patris nomine et
epistolas ipse dictaret, et edicta conscriberet, orationesque in Senatu
recitaret etiam quæstoris vice, præfecturam quoque prætorii suscepit,
nunquam ad id tempus, nisi ab Equite Romano, administratum.” (viii. 5.)
[41] “Perfricui faciem.” This appears to have been a proverbial
expression among the Romans; Cicero, Tusc. Quæs. iii. 41, employs “os
perfricuisti,” and Martial, xi. 27. 7, “perfricuit frontem,” in the
same sense.
[42] Suetonius speaks of Domitian’s taste for poetry, as a part of his
habitual dissimulation, viii. 2; see also the notes of Poinsinet, i.
26, and of Alexandre, in Lemaire, i. 351.
[43] “Non eras in hoc albo;” see the note of Alexandre, in Lemaire,
i. 8. A passage in Quintilian, xii. 4, may serve to illustrate this
use of the term ‘album’; “... quorum alii se ad album ac rubricas
transtulerunt....”
[44] It appears that the passage in which Cicero makes this quotation
from Lucilius, is not in the part of his treatise De Republica which
was lately discovered by Angelus Maius; Alexandre in Lemaire, i. 9.
Cicero refers to this remark of Lucilius in two of his other works,
although with a variation in the expression and in the individuals
specified; De Orat. ii. 6, and De Fin. i. 3.
[45] “Qui primus condidit styli nasum.”
[46] “Sed hæc ego mihi nunc patrocinia ademi nuncupatione.”
[47] “Pecunias deponerent.” Ajasson, i. 11, remarks on these words,
“Qui videri volebant ambitu alienissimi, pecuniam apud sanctum aliquem
virum deponebant, qua scilicet multarentur, si unquam hujus criminis
manifesti fierent.”
[48] This expression is not found in any of the works of Cicero which
are now extant, nor, indeed, is it certain that it was anything more
than a remark made in conversation.
[49] “Provocatio,” calling forth.
[50] Horace, Epist. ii. 1. 143; Ovid, Fast. iv. 746 and v. 121, and
Tibullus, i. 1. 26 and ii. 5. 37, refer to the offerings of milk made
by the country people to their rural deities.
[51] “... id est, artium et doctrinarum omnium circulus;” Alexandre in
Lem. i. 14.
[52] These words are not found in any of the books of Livy now extant;
we may conclude that they were introduced into the latter part of his
work.
[53] “Quem nunc primum historiæ Plinianæ librum vocamus, hic non
numeratur, quod sit operis index.” Hardouin in Lem. i. 16.
[54] Nothing is known of Domitius Piso, either as an author or an
individual.
[55] The names of these authors will be found, arranged by Hardouin
alphabetically, with a brief account of them and their works, in Lem.
i. 157 _et seq._; we have nearly the same list in Valpy, p. 4903.
[56] “Musinamur.” We learn from Hardouin, Lem. i. 17, that there is
some doubt as to the word employed by our author, whether it was
_musinamur_ or _muginamur_; I should be disposed to adopt the former,
as being, according to the remark of Turnebus, “verbum a Musis
deductum.”
[57] “A fine Aufidii Bassi;” as Alexandre remarks, “Finis autem
Aufidii Bassi intelligendus est non mors ejus, sed tempus ad quod
suas ipse perduxerat historias. Quodnam illud ignoramus.” Lem. i. 18.
For an account of Aufidius Bassus we are referred to the catalogue of
Hardouin, but his name does not appear there. Quintilian (x. 1) informs
us, that he wrote an account of the Germanic war.
[58] “Jam pridem peracta sancitur.”
[59] This sentiment is not found in that portion of the treatise which
has been lately published by Angelus Maius. Alexandre in Lemaire, i. 19.
[60] The following is probably the passage in the Offices to which
Pliny refers: “Panæcius igitur, qui sine controversia de officiis
accuratissime disputavit, quemque nos, correctione quadam exhibita,
potissimum secuti sumus....” (iii. 2.)
[61] “Cum præsertim sors fiat ex usura.” The commentators and
translators have differed respecting the interpretation of this
passage; I have given what appears to me the obvious meaning of the
words.
[62] “Lac gallinaceum;” “Proverbium de re singulari et admodum rara,”
according to Hardouin, who quotes a parallel passage from Petronius;
Lemaire, i. 21.
[63] The titles in the original are given in Greek; I have inserted in
the text the words which most nearly resemble them, and which have been
employed by modern authors.
[64] “Lucubratio.”
[65] The pun in the original cannot be preserved in the translation;
the English reader may conceive the name Bibaculus to correspond to our
surname Jolly.
[66] “Sesculysses” and “Flextabula;” literally, Ulysses and a Half, and
Bend-table.
[67] Βιβλιοθήκη.
[68] “Cymbalum mundi” and “publicæ famæ tympanum.”
[69] “Pendenti titulo;” as Hardouin explains it, “qui nondum absolutum
opus significaret, verum adhuc pendere, velut imperfectum.” Lemaire, i.
26.
[70] “Homeromastigæ.”
[71] “Dialectici.” By this term our author probably meant to
designate those critics who were disposed to dwell upon minute verbal
distinctions; “dialecticarum captionum amantes,” according to Hardouin;
Lem. i. 28.
[72] “Quod argutiarum amantissimi, et quod æmulatio inter illos
acerbissima.” Alexandre in Lemaire, i. 28.
[73] Pliny the younger, in one of his letters (iii. 5), where he
enumerates all his uncle’s publications, informs us, that he wrote “a
piece of criticism in eight books, concerning ambiguity of expression.”
Melmoth’s Pliny, i. 136.
[74] The ancients had very exaggerated notions respecting the period of
the elephant’s pregnancy; our author, in a subsequent part of his work
(viii. 10), says, “Decem annis gestare vulgus existimat; Aristoteles
biennio.”
[75] His real name was Tyrtamus, but in consequence of the beauty of
his style, he acquired the appellation by which he is generally known
from the word θεῖος φράσις. Cicero on various occasions refers to him;
Brutus, 121; Orator, 17, _et alibi_.
[76] “Suspendio jam quærere mortem oportere homines vitæque renunciare,
cum tantum licentiæ, vel feminæ, vel imperiti homines sumant, ut in
doctissimos scribant;” Hardouin in Lemaire, i. 29. We learn from
Cicero, De Nat. Deor. i. 33, that the name of this female was Leontium;
“... sed meretricula etiam Leontium contra Theophrastum scribere ausa
sit.”