[2116] Commentators generally agree that this is the Pandosia memorable

for the defeat and death of Alexander, king of Epirus. The early

Calabrian antiquaries have placed it at Castel Franco. D’Anville, in his

map, lays it down near Lao and Cirella. Modern investigators have sought

its ruins near Mendocino, between Cosenza and the sea, a hill with three

summits having been remarked there, which answers to the fatal height

pointed out by the oracle,

Πανδοσία τρικόλωνε, πολύν ποτε λαὸν ὀλέσσεις·

together with a rivulet, Maresanto or Arconti; which last name recalls

the Acheron denounced by another prediction, as so inauspicious to the

Molossian king. Scylax, in his Periplus, seems to place Pandosia,

together with Clampetia and Terina, near the western coast.

[2117] Afterwards Vibo Valentia, now Monte-Leone.

[2118] Surnamed the Epizephyrii. Heyne supposes this took place B. C.

388.

[2119] B. C. 193.

[2120] There was a temple erected to Proserpine in these meadows, and a

building called “Amalthæa’s horn,” raised by Gelon of Syracuse.

[2121] The present harbour of Bivona.

[2122] He reigned from B. C. 317 to B. C. 289.

[2123] Now Le Formicole. The promontory named Capo Vaticano seems to

have been anciently known under the same appellation.

[2124] Medma, or Mesma, was situated on the right bank of the river

Mesima, which seems to retain traces of the name of the ancient city.

Antiquaries report that its ruins are seen between Nicotera and the

river Mesima. The epigraph on the coins of this city is generally ΜΕΣΜΑ,

or ΜΕΣΜΑΙΩΝ, and in a single instance ΜΕΔΑΜΑ.

[2125] That is, the Epizephyrian Locrians.

[2126] Cluverius considers this to be the modern Bagnara.

[2127] The ancient river Metaurus is now also called Marro, and

sometimes Petrace. It was noted for the excellence of the thunny fish

caught at its mouth.

[2128] Metaurum. The site of this place is supposed to accord with that

of the town of Gioja.

[2129] Homer, Odyssey, lib. x.

[2130] There have been many suggestions for the correction of this

passage. Kramer thinks that Cluverius was happy in proposing Ποταμὸς

instead of Μέταυρος, and that then the Cratais, now Solano, or Fiume de’

Pesci, would be the river which Strabo intended.

[2131] According to Pliny, these two promontories were separated by an

interval of twelve stadia, or a mile and a half, which accords with the

statement of Polybius. Thucydides, however, allows about two miles and a

half, which he considers to be the utmost possible distance.

Topographers are divided as to the exact point of the Italian coast

which answers to Cape Cænys. The Calabrian geographers say the Punta del

Pezzo, called also Coda del Volpe, in which opinion Cluverius and

D’Anville coincide, but Holstenius contends for the Torre del Cavallo,

which the French translators seem to favour. In fact, that may be the

narrowest point, still it does not answer so well to Strabo’s

description of the figure and bearing of Cape Cænys as the Punta del

Pezzo.

[2132] The temple or altar of Neptune.

[2133] The Columna Rhegina, as remarked by Cramer, (vol. ii. p. 427,)

was probably a pillar set up to mark the consular road leading to the

south of Italy. Strabo speaks of it as a small tower (book iii. c. v. §

5, p. 265). In the Itinerary of Antoninus it is simply termed Columna,

but in the inscription relative to the Via Aquilia, it is called Statua.

The situation of this tower is generally identified with the site of La

Catona.

[2134] Now Reggio, one of the most celebrated and flourishing cities of

Magna Grecia, founded about 696 years B. C. Cato affirms that it was

once in the possession of the Aurunci. The connexion which subsisted

between Rhegium and the Chalcidian colonies in Sicily, induced its

inhabitants to take part with the Athenians in their first hostilities

against the Syracusans and Locrians. In the great Sicilian expedition,

the Rhegians observed a strict neutrality. While the Athenian fleet was

moored in their roads, they refused to admit the army within their

walls, which therefore encamped near the temple of Diana outside the

town. Rhegium subsequently pursued a similar policy, and suffered

severely under tyrants, but the Roman senate at length freed the

unfortunate citizens.

[2135] Strabo here alludes to the crime which was perpetrated in the

reign of Teleclus, about 811 years before the Christian era. The

division of the Messenians into two parties, the one wishing and the

other refusing to give satisfaction, lasted about 150 years. See book

vi. cap. iii. § 3.

[2136] It was taken by the Lacedæmonians about B. C. 668.

[2137] It seems probable that Strabo here refers to Morgantium in

Sicily, which had disappeared in his days, and which he mentions in b.

vi. c. 11. § 4.

[2138] Sextus Pompeius, having received from the senate the command of

the fleet, B. C. 43, in a short time made himself master of Sicily,

which he held till 36.

[2139] This is a quotation from one of the missing works of Æschylus.

[2140] Virgil speaks of this great catastrophe, Æn. iii. 414,

“Hæc loca, vi quondam et vasta convulsa ruina

(Tantum ævi longinqua valet mutare vetustas,)

Dissiluisse ferunt: cum protinus utraque tellus

Una foret, venit medio vi pontus, et undis

Hesperium Siculo latus abscidit: arvaque et urbes

Litore diductas angusto interluit æstu.”

[2141] Procida.

[2142] It appears from the more ancient coins of Rhegium, that the

original name was RECION. In these the epigraph is REC. RECI. RECINOS,

in characters partaking more of the Oscan than the Greek form; those of

more recent date are decidedly Greek, ΡΗΓ. ΡΗΓΙΝΩΝ, being inscribed on

them. A note in the French translation shows that the inhabitants of

Rhegium did not participate in the rights of Roman citizens till about

90 years before the Christian era.

[2143] Among these were many followers of Pythagoras, also Theagenes,

Hippys, Lycus surnamed Butera, and Glaucus, who were historians; Ibycus,

Cleomenes, and Lycus the adoptive father of Lycophron, who were poets;

Clearchus and Pythagoras, who were sculptors.

[2144] The Rhegians firmly opposed the designs of this tyrant; and when,

under pretence of courting their alliance, he sought a consort from

their city, they replied with independent feeling that he might have

their hangman’s daughter. (See Diodorus Siculus, xiv. 44.) Had the other

states of Magna Grecia displayed the same energy, the ambitious views of

this artful prince might have been frustrated; but after the defeat of

their forces on the Elleporus, now Callipari, they succumbed, and

Rhegium, after a gallant defence which lasted nearly a year, was

compelled to yield, about the year 398 B. C. The insulting tyrant

sentenced the heroic Phyton, who had commanded the town, to a cruel

death, and removed the few inhabitants that remained to Sicily.

[2145] B. C. 360.

[2146] B. C. 280.

[2147] B. C. 91.

[2148] The defeat of Sextus Pompeius is referred to the year 36 B. C.,

but there is no precise date mentioned for the establishment of the

veteran soldiers in Rhegium, which probably took place about the year 31

B. C.

[2149] Pliny computes the distance from Rhegium to Cape Leucopetra at 12

miles; there is probably some error in the text, as there is no cape

which corresponds with the distance of 50 stadia from Rhegium. A note in

the French translation proposes to read 100 instead of 50 stadia.

Topographers are not agreed in fixing the situation of the celebrated

Leucopetra. D’Anville places it at Capo Pittaro, Grimaldi at the Punta

della Saetta, and Cluverius, Holstenius, and Cellarius at the Capo

dell’Armi. This latter opinion seems more compatible with the statement

of Pliny, and is also more generally accredited.

[2150] The Herculeum Promontorium is known in modern geography as Capo

Spartivento.

[2151] The Promontorium Iapygium, or Sallentinum, as it was sometimes

called, formed a remarkable feature in the figure of Italy, while the

art of navigation was in its infancy. It was a conspicuous landmark to

mariners bound from the ports of Greece to Sicily. The fleets of Athens,

after having circumnavigated the Peloponnesus, usually made for Corcyra,

whence they steered straight across to the promontory, and then coasted

along the south of Italy. It seems from Thucydides (vi. 44) that there

was a haven here which afforded a shelter to vessels in tempestuous

weather.

[2152] Now Capo di Bruzzano.

[2153] The one 710, the other 734 years B. C.

[2154] The opinion of Ephorus seems to be supported by many other

writers, and is generally preferred by modern critics.

[2155] Monte Esope.

[2156] This wicked prince, having been expelled from Syracuse, had found

refuge among the Locrians from the storm which threatened his existence;

but, depraved as he was degraded, he repaid the kindness of the people,

who treated him as their kinsman because his mother Doris had been the

daughter of one of their principal citizens, with the basest treachery

and ingratitude. He introduced into their city a number of miscreants,

and having overpowered the inhabitants, gave loose to all the vicious

propensities of his nature.

[2157] Horrid as is the vengeance which the Locri took on these

unfortunate victims of a husband’s and a father’s crimes, it serves to

confirm the accounts of the iniquity and barbarity of a prince, whose

mean and imbecile conduct at other times sanctions the notion that his

intellect was disordered.

[2158] We could almost wish to read this passage—“rendered them more

plausible, but impaired their utility.”

[2159] The ancient Halex.

[2160] Although Strabo ascribes Mamertium to the Bruttii, it is more

probable that it was a colony of Campanian mercenaries, deriving their

name from Mamers, the Oscan Mars, who served under Agathocles, and other

princes of Sicily. The Mamertini were employed by the Romans against

Pyrrhus, whom they attacked in the woods and defiles about Rhegium.

Barrio (lib. ii. c. 10) and Maraf. (lib. iii. c. 25, f. 222) have

identified the site of this ancient town with Martorano, but it seems

too distant from Locri and Rhegium to accord with Strabo’s description.

Cluverius, D’Anville, and Romanelli place it at Oppido, a bishop’s see

above Reggio, and Gerace, where old coins are said to have been

discovered. Cramer (vol. ii. p. 439) thinks that the Melæ mentioned by

Thucydides may have been identical with Mamertium. Several remains of

antiquity exist on the site called Mela, in the vicinity of Oppido.

[2161] The pix Bruttia is noticed by Pliny, Columella, Dioscorides, and

other authorities mentioned by Bochart, Canaan, p. 595. Bochart looks

upon the Bruttii as a people known to the Phœnicians at a very remote

period.

[2162] Geographers differ much as to the modern river which corresponds

to this stream. Romanelli and Swinburne consider it to be the Alaro.

[2163] During the war against Pyrrhus, whose cause was espoused by

Caulonia, the city was pillaged by the Mamertini, the allies of the

Romans. The town was subsequently occupied by the Bruttii, who defended

it against the Romans in the second Punic war. Barrio and other

Calabrian topographers have fixed its site at Castro Vetere, but Strabo

placed it on the left bank of the Sagras, which is inconsistent with

their supposition, and it is still a subject of inquiry.

[2164] Cluvier (Sicil. ant. lib. ii.) reckons this place was situated

between Caltanis and Pietrapreccia.

[2165] Now Squillace.

[2166] Servius observes that these Athenians were returning from Africa,

Serv. Æn. iii. 552.

[2167] Saumaise (Exercit. Plin. p. 47, 57) thinks the true reading

should be Scylaceium, or Virgil could not have made the penultimate

long.

... Attollit se diva Lacinia contra

Caulonisque arces, et navifragum Scylaceum. Æn. iii. 652.

[2168] About B. C. 389.

[2169] Book vi. cap. i. § 4.

[2170] Pliny seems to attribute to Dionysius the elder the project of

cutting not walling off the isthmus: “Itaque Dionysius major intercisam

eo loco adjicere Siciliæ voluit.” Hist. Nat. lib. iii. § 15. Grimaldi

also is of opinion that the circumstance mentioned by Strabo should be

referred to the first years of Dionysius the younger, about B. C.

366-359.

[2171] By those who dwelt without, Strabo doubtless intended the

Crotoniatæ, and their allies.

[2172] These three capes are now called Capo delle Castella, Capo

Rizzuto, and Capo della Nave.

[2173] Lacinium was about six miles from Crotona. The celebrated temple

of Juno derived its name from the promontory. According to Diodorus

Siculus, some ascribe its origin to Hercules. (Diod. Sic. iv. 24.) Its

ruins are in the early Doric style, with fluted pillars broader at the

base than at the capital. It measured about 132 yards in length, and 66

in breadth. Its principal entrance opened to the west.

[2174] Gosselin follows the opinion that Polybius wrote 1300 stadia.

[2175] The Strait of Sicily.

[2176] The modern names of Cape Lacinium, viz. Capo delle Colonne and

Capo Nao, are derived from the remains of the temple, which is still

visible on its summit.

[2177] The text is here evidently deficient. Groskurd says that Strabo

most probably wrote as follows, “As the chorographer says, Artemidorus

reckons that [the journey would take 12 days for one travelling on

foot], with his girdle on; [but, to one sailing, the distance is 2000

stadia:] leaving at the same time as many [for the mouth, as Polybius

has given] for the breadth of the mouth of the gulf.” The French

translators, however, have attempted to read the text as follows, “The

chorographer makes it 240 miles, and Artemidorus says that it is 380 for

a light traveller; a computation in which the breadth of the mouth is

not included;” but comment on it in several extensive notes.

[2178] South-east.

[2179] The ancient Æsar.

[2180] Groskurd observes, Im Texte καὶ λιμὴν. Besser also, liest man mit

_Cluv._ λίμνη, and translates it “a salt-marsh;” but Cramer, in his

description of ancient Italy, observes that the mouth of the river Esaro

formed a haven, which, however incommodious compared with those of

Tarentum and Brundusium, was long a source of great wealth to Crotona,

as we are assured by Polybius, Frag. x. 1.

[2181] Neæthus. This river was said to derive its name from the

circumstance of the captive Trojan women having there set fire to the

Grecian fleet.

[2182] Νέαιθος, from νῆας and αἰθεῖν, “to burn the ships.”

[2183] There is much obscurity in this oracular response. The various

manuscripts offer many readings.

[2184] A note in the French translation observes that the establishment

of Myscellus at Crotona took place about 709 or 703 years B. C., and

that Syracuse was founded as early as 735 years B. C.

[2185] According to some traditions, Crotona was very ancient, and

derived its name from the hero Croto. Thus Ovid:

“Vixque pererratis quæ spectant littora terris,

Invenit Æsarei fatalia fluminis ora:

Nec procul hinc tumulum, sub quo sacrata Crotonis

Ossa tegebat humus. Jussaque ibi mœnia terra

Condidit; et nomen tumulati traxit in urbem.”

Ovid. Metam. xv. 53.

[2186] Milo is said to have carried off the prize for wrestling from the

62nd Olympiad, B. C. 532, and also to have commanded the 100,000

Crotoniatæ who engaged the hostile armies of Sybaris and destroyed their

city, about B. C. 509. Diod. Sic. xii. 9, &c.

[2187] Sybaris was said to have been founded by the people of Trœzene

not long after the siege of Troy. Aristot. Politic. lib. v. cap. 3.

Solin. viii. But these were subsequently joined by a more numerous

colony of Achæans, about B. C. 720. Euseb. Chron. ii.

[2188] ὁ Κρᾶθις. There was a stream of the same name in Achaia, from

whence the Italian Crathis, now Crati, derived its name. The Crathis and

Sybaris now join about 14 miles from the sea.

[2189] Now Cochile.

[2190] Koray objected to the old reading, ὁ Ἰσελικεὺς, and proposed

instead Οἰς.... Ἑλικεὺς; Groskurd thought it better to translate it Ihr

Erbauer war Is ... aus Helike; and Kramer has adopted this latter

view, which we have followed.

[2191] Helice was mentioned, book i. chap. iii. § 18. Ovid, Metam. xv.

293, also speaks of this city,

“Si quæras Helicen et Buram Achaïdas urbes,

Invenies sub aquis....”

[2192] The Epitome gives nine days.

[2193] The events which led to this catastrophe are thus related by

Diodorus Siculus: “A democratical party, at the head of which was Telys,

having gained the ascendency, expelled 500 of the principal citizens,

who sought refuge at Crotona. This city, upon receiving a summons to

give up the fugitives, or prepare for war, by the advice of Pythagoras

chose the latter. The armies met near the river Triunti, in the

territory of Crotona, where the brave citizens gained a complete

victory.”

[2194] At the instigation of Pericles, the Athenians sent out a colony

under the command of Lampon and Xenocritus, which arrived about 55 years

after the overthrow of Sybaris. Two celebrated characters are named

among those who joined this expedition, which was collected from

different parts of Greece. These were Herodotus, and Lysias the orator.

[2195] Compare Ælian. Hist. Anim. ii. 36.

[2196] From B. C. 390 to 290.

[2197] About B. C. 194.

[2198] Cæsar however calls it Thurii, and designates it a municipal

town. Civ. Bell. iii. 22.

[2199] Now La Nucara.

[2200] It is not ascertained whether this leader were the architect of

the Horse of Troy.

[2201] Antiquaries seem agreed in fixing the site of this town at

Policoro, about three miles from the mouth of the Agri, where

considerable remains are still visible. The city is famous as the seat

of the general council of the Greek states, and the celebrated bronze

tables on which the learned Mazzocchi bestowed so much labour were

discovered near its site. Its coins represent Hercules contending with

the lion, and bear the epigraph ΗΡΑ or HÊRAKLÊIÔN.

[2202] Ἄκιρις.

[2203] Σῖρις.

[2204] This accords very well with the distance given in the Itinerary

of Antoninus.

[2205] About B. C. 580.

[2206] Kramer reads χώνων in the text. We have followed the opinion of

the French translators, who have rendered it “possédée par des Troyens.”

MSS. give various readings.

[2207] Kramer reads ἐπὶ Τεύθραντος, but thinks with Groskurd that ἐπὶ

τοῦ Τράεντος, the Traens or modern Trionto, is the true reading.

[2208] About B. C. 444.

[2209] About B. C. 433.

[2210] In the time of Pausanias, this city was a heap of ruins, and

nothing remained standing but the walls and theatre. Considerable

vestiges, situated near the station called Torre di Mare, indicate the

site it anciently adorned.

[2211] θέρος χρυσοῦν. Xylander and others have thought this was a statue

representing Summer; others have reckoned that golden sheaves were

intended. The coins of Metapontium, which are greatly admired as works

of art, have a head of Ceres, and on the reverse an ear of corn. A large

sum of these might be justly called a golden harvest.

[2212] Neleus had twelve sons, eleven of whom were slain by Hercules,

while Nestor alone escaped; we must therefore infer from this passage,

that rites were celebrated at Metapontium in honour of his brothers.

[2213] The Greek words might either mean that Metapontium was destroyed

or that the sacrifices were abolished. From the succeeding sentence it

would be most natural to suppose that Strabo meant to say the city was

overthrown.

[2214] These words are not in the Greek text, but seem to have been

accidentally omitted by the transcriber.

[2215] A city of Phocis, now Krisso.

[2216] The ordinary reading is Trinacis, but Kramer found it given

Thrinacia in the Vatican Manuscript, No. 482, which seems to suit the

rest of the sentence better. Dionysius Perieg. vers. 467, says,

Τρινακίη δ’ ἐπὶ τῇσιν, ὑπὲρ πέδον Αὐσονιήων

Ἐκτέταται.

And Homer, Strabo’s great geographical authority, in book xi. of the

Odyssey, line 106, terms it Θρινακίῃ νήσῳ. Virgil, Æn. iii. 440, says,

“Trinacria fines Italos mittere relicta.”

[2217] Capo Passaro.

[2218] Capo di Marsalla, or Capo Boeo.

[2219] The south-west.

[2220] Milazzo.

[2221] S. Maria di Tindaro.

[2222] The MSS. of Strabo read Agathyrsum, but the town is more commonly

called Agathyrnum. Livy, book xxvi. cap. 40, and Silius Italicus, book

xiv. ver. 260, call it Agathyrna. Cluverius considers it to have been

situated near S. Marco; others would place it nearer to Capo d’ Orlando;

while D’Anville is in favour of Agati.

[2223] I Bagni, or S. Maria de’ Palazzi. Groskurd gives it as Torre di

Pittineo by Tusa, or Torre di Tusa. Cicero writes the name without a

diphthong, “statim Messana litteras Halesam mittit.” Cic. in Verr. ii.

c. 7. Diodorus spells it Ἄλεσα. Silius Italicus, lib. xiv. ver. 219,

makes the penultimate long:

“Venit ab amne trahens nomen Gela, venit Halæsa.”

And the inscription in Gruter, p. 212, gives the name of the river near

it, Αλαισος.

[2224] Cefalù.

[2225] Modern critics consider this to be the Fiume-Grande, which takes

its rise near Polizzi and the Fiume Salso, the latter flows from a

source within a few miles of the Fiume-Grande, and after a course of

about 80 miles, falls into the sea near Alicata. The Fiume Salso was

also called Himera, and both rivers taken to be one.

[2226] Palermo.

[2227] Castel-à-Mare.

[2228] Capo Boeo.

[2229] Probably ruins at the embouchure of the Platani. Groskurd also

gives for it Bissenza.

[2230] At the mouth of the Fiume di Girgenti. Virgil calls Agrigentum by

the Greek name, Æn. iii. 703,

“Arduus inde Acragas ostentat maxima longe

Mœnia, magnanimûm quondam generator equorum.”

[2231] As the distance from Agrigentum to Camarina greatly exceeds

another 20 miles, Kramer supposes that the words, “and to Gela, 20,”

have been omitted by the copyist.

[2232] Torre di Camarana.

[2233] The Paris MS. No. 1393, used by the French translators, has 33;

the Paris MS. 1396, and the Medici plut. 28, No. 5, give 20 miles.

[2234] Taormina.

[2235] Gosselin observes, that the distance from Messina to Cape

Pelorias, which would complete the circuit of Sicily, is about 9 miles.

[2236] i. e. by land.

[2237] Messina.

[2238] An intelligent critic has imagined that this road may have been

commenced by M. Valerius Maximus Messala, consul in the year 263, and

censor in 253, before the Christian era. D’Orvill. Sic. c. ii. p. 12.

[2239] We have followed Kramer, who inserts [διακόσια] before τριάκοντα

πέντε.

[2240] i. e. to give its parallels of latitude and longitude.

[2241] i. e. wherein all three sides are unequal.

[2242] i. e. Pelorias.

[2243] Or, lies towards the east, with a northern inclination.

[2244] South-east.

[2245] A river of the Peloponnesus, now called Ruféa.

[2246] Cape Matapan.

[2247] The French translation gives 1160 stadia.

[2248] Gossellin observes, that from Pachynus to Lilybæum the coast runs

from the south to the north-west, and looks towards the south-west.

[2249] This person, according to Varro, was named Strabo. See Varr. ap.

Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. vii. § 21, page 386.

[2250] This coast of Sicily rises very little as it advances towards the

east, and looks almost continually towards the north, with the exception

of a very short space near Lilybæum. The Æolian islands lie to the

north.

[2251] Taormina.

[2252] Naxos was not situated between Catana and Syracuse, but was most

probably built on the left bank of the Fiume Freddo, the ancient Asines,

near Taormina. It is possible that Strabo originally wrote, between

Messina and Syracuse. Naxos was founded about 734 B. C., and destroyed

by Dionysius the elder about the year 403. Naxos is thought by some to

be the modern Schisso.

[2253] Megara was founded on the right of the Cantaro, the ancient

Alabus. It was destroyed about 214 years B. C.

[2254] Reggio.

[2255] Thucydides says ζάγκλιον is a Sicilian word.

[2256] B. C. 289.

[2257] B. C. 264 to 243.

[2258] B. C. 44.

[2259] B. C. 36.

[2260] Now called Garafalo.

[2261] Taormina.

[2262] κοπρία.

[2263] These wines, although grown in Sicily, were reckoned among the

Italian wines. See Athen. Deipnos. lib. i. cap. 21, ed. Schweigh: tom.

i. p. 102. And from the time of Julius Cæsar they were classed in the

fourth division of the most esteemed wines. See Plin. Hist. Nat. lib.

xiv. § 8, No. 4 and § 17.

[2264] At the same time as Syracuse.

[2265] A note in the French translation suggests that we should read

Sicilians of Hybla. τῶν ἐν Ὕβλῃ Σικελῶν instead of Ζαγκλαίων.

[2266] Hiero in Greek was Ἱέρων. The line of Pindar in Kramer’s edition

is,

ξύνες [ὅ] τοι λέγω, ζαθέων ἱερῶν ὁμώνυμε πάτερ,

κτίστορ Αἴτνας.

The words played on are Ἱέρων and ἱερῶν.

[2267] This occurred in the year 468.

[2268] About 461.

[2269] Cluvier considers that the monastery of Saint Nicolas de Arenis,

about 12 modern miles from Catana, is situated about the place to which

Strabo here alludes.

[2270] τὴν Καταναίαν. The spelling of this name, like very many in the

present work, was by no means uniform in classic authors. Strabo has

generally called it Catana (Κατάνη); Ptolemy, Κατάνη κολώνια; Pliny,

lib. iii. cap. 8, Colonia Catina; Pomponius Mela, lib. ii. cap. 7,

Catina; Cicero, Catina; and on ancient coins we find ΚΑΤΑΝΑΙΩΝ.

[2271] This feat was recorded by divers works of art set up in different

places: it must have taken place in one of the eruptions, 477, 453, or

427, before the Christian era. The place where they lived was called

Campus Piorum.

[2272] δι’ ἡμερῶν τεσσάρων ἢ πέντε in Kramer’s text; in his notes he

particularizes the readings of the different manuscripts and editions,

some reading forty or fifty. He also records his sorrow at having

preferred the reading of fifty days to thirty, in the passage relating

to the fat beasts of Erythia, book iii. cap. 5, § 4, (page 255).

[2273] Literally, changes into coagulation.

[2274] About 758 or 735 B. C.

[2275] Book vi. chap. 1, § 12.

[2276] According to other authorities he was descended from Bacchus.

[2277] At present Corfu.

[2278] Cape Bruzzano.

[2279] Cicero’s Oratio Frumentaria supports this character of the

country. Silius Italicus, lib. xiv. vers. 23, thus celebrates the

richness of the soil,

“Multa solo virtus: jam reddere fœnus aratris,

Jam montes umbrare olea, dare nomina Baccho;

Nectare Cecropias Hyblæo accendere ceras;”

and Florus terms it Terra frugum ferax.

[2280] Strabo makes a distinct mention of Siculi and Sicani, as if they

were different people. Philologists have been much divided as to whether

they were not different appellations of the same nation.

[2281] Such as the Elymi, or Helymi, who occupied the districts

bordering on the Belici in the western part of the island.

[2282] It is probable that Morgantium was situated on the right bank of

the Giaretta, below its confluence with the Dattaino, but at some little

distance from the sea; at least such is the opinion of Cluverius, in

opposition to the views of Sicilian topographers. Sic. Ant. book ii.

cap. 7, pp. 325 and 335.

[2283] The first settlement of the Carthaginians in Sicily was about 560

B. C.

[2284] 212 years B. C.

[2285] 42 years B. C.

[2286] They were called Nesos, [the island Ortygia,] Achradina, Tycha,

Neapolis, and Epipolæ. Ausonius applies the epithet fourfold,

“Quis Catinam sileat? quis quadruplices Syracusas?”

Dionysius however fortified Epipolæ with a wall, and joined it to the

city.

[2287] Twenty-two miles four perches English. Swinburne spent two days

in examining the extent of the ruins, and was satisfied as to the

accuracy of Strabo’s statement.

[2288] A river of Elis.

[2289] Virgil thus deals with the subject:

“Sicanio prætenta sinu jacet insula contra

Plemmyrium undosum: nomen dixere priores

Ortygiam. Alpheum fama est huc, Elidis amnem,

Occultas egisse vias subter mare; qui nunc

Ore, Arethusa, tuo Siculis confunditur undis.”

Æn. iii. 692.

[2290] The words of Pindar are,

ἄμπνευμα σεμνὸν Ἀλφεοῦ,

κλεινᾶν Συρακοσσᾶν θάλος, Ὀρτυγία.

The French translators have rendered them,

“Terme saint du tourment d’Alphée

Bel ornement, de Syracuse _Ortygia_!”

And Groskurd,

“Ehrwürdige Ruhstatt Alpheos’.

Ruhmzweig Syrakossai’s, o Du Ortygia.”

Liddell and Scott call ἀνάπνευμα a resting-place, referring to this

passage, but I can see no reason for not allowing to it the

signification most suitable to the passage. ἀναπνέω is, “to breathe

again,” and, according to the supposition of the ancients, the Alpheus

might justly be said to breathe again on appearing at Arethusa, after

its passage beneath the bed of the sea from Greece. ἀναπνοὴ also, means

“a recovering of breath.”

[2291] Pindar, Nem. Od. i. vers. 1. See also Bohn's Classic. Lib.

Pindar.

[2292] Conf. Antig. Caryst. Hist. Mir. cap. 155.

[2293] According to Strabo himself, book viii. chap. 3, § 12, the

Alpheus flows through a subterraneous course before it comes to Olympia;

the objection therefore which he here takes, rests only on the

circumstance of the river pursuing a visible course all the way to the

sea, from the point where the chalice had fallen into it.

[2294] A river of Elis.

[2295] The play from which this is quoted is not extant.

[2296] A people of Thessaly.

[2297] A people of Argos.

[2298] Aspro-potamo.

[2299] In the Peloponnesus.

[2300] The Lao or the Pollina.

[2301] Pollina.

[2302] The Porto Maggiore of Syracuse is scarcely half so large.

[2303] Centorbe, to the south-west of Ætna. Silius, lib. xiv., mentions

it as “Centuripe, largoque virens Entella Lyæo.”

[2304] The ancient Symæthus.

[2305] Now Camarana: it was founded 600 years B. C.

[2306] Girgenti.

[2307] “Apparet Camarina procul, campique Geloi.” Virg. Æn. iii. 701.

[2308] Marsalla.

[2309] I Bagni.

[2310] S. Maria di Tindaro.

[2311] Castel-à-Mare.

[2312] Cefalù.

[2313] Now ruins at Barbara.

[2314] Also called Acestes.

[2315] Castro-Ioanni.

[2316] Ovid, in the fourth book of his Fasti, thus alludes to the

temple,

“Grata domus Cereri, multas ea possidet urbes,

In quibus est culto fertilis Enna solo.”

From this place we have the adjective Enneus, and the Ennea virgo of

Sil., lib. xiv., for Proserpine,

“Tum rapta præceps Ennea virgine flexit.”

Diodorus Siculus, lib. v. cap. 3, says that there was a fable about the

seizure of the virgin [Proserpine] in the meadows near Enna. The

locality is very near the town, embellished with violets and all kinds

of beautiful flowers. An ancient coin of the place described by Ezech.

Spanheim, page 906, is inscribed with the letters MUN. HENNAE.

Pliny, lib. iii. cap. 8, writes, “Municipes Hennenses.”

[2317] About 146 years B. C.

[2318] The sentence from “Eryx” to “notice,” placed between daggers,

seems to have been transposed from the end of § 5; it should immediately

succeed the words Ægestus the Trojan.

[2319] Diodorus Siculus, lib. iv. § 83, tom. i. p. 326, gives a

different account of the state of this place at this time.

[2320] The Carthaginians had destroyed it about 409 years B. C.

[2321] Some colonists from Rhodes made a settlement here 45 years after

the foundation of Syracuse. It was overthrown about 279 years B. C.

[2322] Milazzo.

[2323] About 649 B. C.

[2324] It is supposed that Callipolis anciently occupied the site of

Mascalis.

[2325] Those who inhabited Hybla Minor. We know that Selinus was in

existence 640 B. C., and destroyed 268 B. C.

[2326] Now ruins called di Pollece on the river Madiuni in the Terra de’

Pulci.

[2327] The Leontini arrived in Sicily 728 B. C., and founded Leontini,

now Lentini.

[2328] Eubœa was destroyed by the tyrant Gelon, who reigned from 491 to

478 B. C. Eubali, Castellazzio, and a place near the little town of

Licodia, not far from the source of the Drillo, have been supposed to be

the site of the ancient Eubœa. Siebenkees thinks that the words between

daggers at the end of § 7 should follow “Eubœa.”

[2329] Lit. barbarians.

[2330] About 134 B. C.

[2331] Castro-Ioanni.

[2332] Kramer and Siebenkees consider that the sentence between daggers,

from “The” to “prosperity,” has been transferred from its proper place.

See note [2328], page 412.

[2333] The French translators infer from this passage that Strabo had

never visited Sicily.

[2334] Sicilian topographers vary exceedingly in defining the position

of these mountains. Groskurd makes them Madonia.

[2335] To the south-west.

[2336] See Humboldt, Cosmos, i. 242.

[2337] Book v. chap. iv. § 9.

[2338] I Bagni di Sciacca.

[2339] Now ruins at Barbara, in the valley of Mazzara.

[2340] Girgenti.

[2341] A modern traveller is of opinion that these correspond with

certain peculiar marshes near Girgenti, in the midst of the Macaluba

mountains, supplied by a spring of salt water. The soil here is chalky,

and the mountains abound in a grey and ductile clay. See Monsieur le

Commandeur de Dolomieu, Voyage aux îles de Lipari, pp. 165 _et seqq._;

also Fazell. Decad. i. lib. i. cap. 5, p. 45.

[2342] The place dedicated to these avengers of perjury is frequently

located near Mineo and Palagonia; others, thinking to gain the support

of Virgil’s testimony, place it near Paterno, much farther north,

between Catana and Centorbi, and not far from the banks of the Giaretta,

the ancient Symæthus.

[2343] Cluvier supposes this cavern must have been near Mazarum

[Mazara]. The river named Mazarus by the ancients, runs through a rocky

district, abounding in stone quarries. It is possible that this river,

much hemmed in throughout its course, might have anciently flowed

beneath some of these massive rocks.

[2344] Orontes.

[2345] According to Pliny, Hist. Nat. lib. vi. § 31, tom. i. p. 333, the

Tigris is ingulfed on reaching a branch of Mount Taurus, at a place

called Zoroanda, which M. D’Anville identifies with the modern Hazour.

[2346] Λιβύη in Strabo.

[2347] Kramer here persists in reading πρὸ, and rejects ἀπὸ: we have

endeavoured to translate it with Kramer, but the French translation of

1809 renders it, a little below its sources.

[2348] A river of Argolis: see book viii. Casaub. pp. 371 and 389.

[2349] Argolis.

[2350] This ancient city was found in ruins by Pausanias, who says

(Arcadic. or book viii. cap. 44, p. 691) “that at less than 20 stadia

distant from the Athenæum are found the ruins of Asea, as well as the

hill on which the citadel of the town was built, which was surrounded by

walls, the vestiges of which still remain. About 5 stadia from Asea, and

not far from the main road, is the source of the Alpheus, and, quite

close, even at the edge of the road, that of the Eurotas.... [At a short

distance] the two rivers unite and run as one for about 20 stadia; they

then both cast themselves into a chasm, and, continuing their

under-ground course, they afterwards reappear; one (the Eurotas) in

Laconia, the other in the territory of Megalopolis.” Such is what

Pausanias relates in one place. But when, in this account, he fixes the

source of the Alpheus at about 5 stadia from Asea, we must understand

him to allude to a second source of the river; for further on (book

viii. cap. 54, p. 709) he says distinctly that the main source of the

Alpheus is seen near Phylace in Arcadia; then adds that that river, on

coming to the district of Tegea, is absorbed under the ground, to

re-issue near Asea.

[2351] See § 4 of this chapter, page 408.

[2352] The ancient Timavus. See book v. chap. i. § 8, page 319.

[2353] The French translation, “en divers endroits de l’Italie.” Some

manuscripts read Ἰταλίαν. We have followed Kramer and Groskurd.

[2354] Founded about B. C. 580.

[2355] Thermessa, at present called Vulcano, is doubtless the same

mentioned in Pliny’s Nat. Hist. lib. iii. § 14, tom. i. p. 164, as

Therasia, by the error of the copyist. Paulus Orosius, lib. iv. cap. 20,

says that it rose from the bed of the sea, B. C. 571. It is however

certain that it was in existence B. C. 427, confer. Thucyd. lib. iii. §

88, and was for a considerable time called Hiera.

[2356] See Pausan. Phoc. or lib. x. cap. 16, p. 835.

[2357] See Pausan. Phoc. or lib. x. cap. 2, p. 824.

[2358] M. le Comm. de Dolomieu, in his Voyage aux îles de Lipari, ed.

1783, p. 75 _et seqq._, supports the character here given of the

fertility of this island, and praises the abundance of delicious fruits

it produces.

[2359] M. le Comm. de Dolomieu considers it probable that the Liparæans

obtained this alum by the lixiviation of earths exposed to the

acido-sulphurous vapours of their volcanos, pp. 77, 78.

[2360] These hot springs are not much frequented, although they still

exist.

[2361] See Humboldt, Cosm. i. 242.

[2362] This is 30 feet in the epitome.

[2363] Odyss. lib. x. 21.

[2364] Here follow some words which convey no intelligible meaning.—They

are written in the margin of some of the manuscripts. Kramer inserts

them between asterisks as follows: *ἔστιν ἡ ἐπίστασις τῆς ἐναργείας

λέγοιτ’ ἄν,... ἐπίσης τε γὰρ ἄμφω πάρεστι, καὶ διαθέσει καὶ τῇ

ἐναργείᾳ· ἥ γε ἡδονὴ κοινὸν ἀμφοτέρων* Groskurd thinks the passage

might be translated, “[Great, undoubtedly,] is the impression produced

by animated energy, [of which] it may be asserted [that it excites in a

marked degree both admiration and pleasure]. For both arise equally from

graphic representation and animated description. Pleasure at least is

common to both.” The following are Groskurd’s own words: Gross

allerdings ist der Eindruck kräftiger Lebendigkeit, [von welcher] man

behaupten darf, [dass sie vorzüglich, sowohl Bewunderung als Vergnügen

gewähre]. Denn Beide erfolgen gleichermassen, sowohl durch Darstellung

als durch Lebendigkeit; das Vergnügen wenigstens ist Beiden gemein.

[2365] Stromboli.

[2366] στρογγύλος means “round.” M. Dolomieu, p. 113, says that the

island of Stromboli, seen from a distance, appears like a cone; when,

however, it is more particularly examined, it looks like a mountain

terminated by two peaks of different heights, and the sides appear

disturbed and torn by craters opened in various parts, and streams of

lava which have flowed down. It might be about 12 miles in

circumference.

[2367] Most of the ancient authors agree in considering Lipari as the

residence of Æolus. See Cluver. Sic. Ant. lib. ii. cap. 14.

[2368] δίδυμος, “double.” Cluverius identifies this with the island now

called Salini. M. Dolomieu says that Didyma is situated to the west of

Lipari; it is nearly circular, and contains three mountains placed so as

to form a triangle. Two of the mountains are connected at their bases,

the third is separated from them by a valley which runs right across the

island, so that while sailing at some distance in the sea on the south

side it has the appearance of two islands, from which circumstance it

took its ancient name of Didyma: its present name, Salini, is derived

from salt works there.

[2369] Ericussa, now called Alicudi or Alicurim, is covered with trees,

it is inhabited, but little cultivated. The pasturage is pretty good.

[2370] Phœnicussa, now Felicudi or Filicurim, abounds in rich pastures;

both wheat and the vine are here cultivated.

[2371] Cluverius, Sic. Ant. lib. ii. p. 414, identifies this island with

Lisca-Bianca, to the east of Lipari, but M. le commandeur Dolomieu,

Voyage pittoresque de Naples et de Sicile, tom. iv. part ii. chap. 14,

considers that it corresponded with the present Panaria, which is about

eight times the circumference of Lisca-Bianca. He says the neighbouring

islets are but the detached portions of a vast crater now submerged; the

denomination, Formocoli or the Little Ants, is aptly illustrative of

their minuteness and numbers. The most important are Datolo, Lisca-Nera,

Lisca-Bianca, and Basiluzzo. M. Gossellin very justly remarks that it is

quite possible the volcanos, which continually burn in the islands of

Æolus, may have formed some new one, and gives some good reasons for

identifying Didyma with Panaria.

[2372] Rich. Pocock, Descr. de l’ Or., &c. vers. Fr. part iii. chap. 24,

tom. vi. p. 327, considers that Strabo meant to say that Euonymus lies

most to the left hand as you sail from Sicily to the island of Lipari,

and proposes Ustica, the westernmost of the Lipari Islands, as its

modern representative.

[2373] See Humboldt, Cosmos ii. 557.

[2374] A note in the French translation suggests that, notwithstanding

the accord of all manuscripts, we should, doubtless, understand Titus

Quinctius Flaminius, prætor in A. U. C. 628, and B. C. 126.

[2375] πρὸς ἄρκτον, in Kramer’s text. We have followed the example set

by the French translators, and approved by Groskurd, who proposes to

read πρὸς ἀρκτ[ικὸν ἄκρ]ον. Kramer however justly remarks, that many

other things in this passage are exceedingly confused, and remain

incapable of conjectural elucidation.

[2376] From Ericodes, now Alicudi, to Phœnicodes, now Felicudi, the

distance given by the chorographer is the same as that set down by

Ptolemy, and by far too much for that which, according to our charts,

separates Felicudi from Salini, but tallies exactly with that to the

island Panaria, so that the evidence, both of the chorographer and

Ptolemy, seems to point to Panaria, not to Salini, as the ancient

Didyma. Further, the 29 miles given in Strabo’s text as the distance

from Didyma to Lipari, are reduced to 19 miles in the chart of Ptolemy,

and even this last distance would be much too great for the interval

which separates Salini from Lipari, but agrees with the distance from

Lipari to Panaria, and seems likewise to confirm the identity of Panaria

and Didyma. The 19 miles, from Lipari to Sicily, agree with Ptolemy and

our charts. Ptolemy gives the equivalent of 44 miles as the distance

between Sicily and Strongyle, while our modern maps confirm his

computation. M. Gossellin observes that the 16 miles of the existing

text of Strabo must be a transcriber’s error; but the construction of

the text might very well allow the distance to be from Didyma to

Strongyle, which would be nearly correct.

[2377] Malta.

[2378] Towards Africa and the south.

[2379] Μελιταῖα.

[2380] All other classic authors, both Greek and Latin, give the name of

Gaulus to this island; it is the modern Gozzo.

[2381] Pantelaria.

[2382] This M. Gossellin very satisfactorily proves to be 88.

[2383] A note in the French translation observes, that the Iapygia of

Strabo was confined to the peninsula of Tarentum.

[2384] The Sallentini, or Salentini, cannot be distinguished with

accuracy from the Calabri, as the name is used by several writers in a

very extensive sense, and applied to the greater part of Iapygia.

[2385] Capo di Leuca.

[2386] The district occupied by the Calabri seems to have been that

maritime part of the Iapygian peninsula extending from the ancient

Brundusium to the city of Hydruntum, answering nearly to what is now

called Terra di Lecce.

[2387] Dionysius of Halicarnassius derives the name of this people from

Peucetius, son of Lycaon king of Arcadia, but they are generally spoken

of in history as barbarians, differing in no essential respect from the

Daunii, Iapyges, and other neighbouring nations.

[2388] A note in the French translation remarks, that Strabo would have

done well to add, “_and also the Apuli properly so called_.” If we

follow Strabo’s testimony solely, we may almost describe the bounds of

the Peucetii by four lines, viz. 1. From Tarentum to Brindisi. 2. Along

the sea-shore from Brindisi to Bari. 3. From Bari to Garagnone or

Gorgoglione, the ancient Sylvium, if not even still nearer to Venosa. 4.

From Garagnone to Tarentum, constituting what is called in modern

geography Terra di Bari—The following are the limits of the Daunii. 1.

From Garagnone to Bari. 2. From Bari to Peschici or to Rodi. 3. Thence

to Lucera; and, 4. from Lucera to Garagnone. Thus they occupied a great

part of La Puglia, with a portion of the Terra di Bari. With regard to

those who, according to Strabo, were properly Apuli, they extended from

the neighbourhood of Lucera to Rodi or Peschici, thence to the mouth of

the river Fortore, thence to Civitate, (the ancient Teanum Apulum,)

which was included, and from Civitate to Lucera; this district would

answer to the northern portion of La Puglia, which the Fortore separates

from La Capitanata.

[2389] The name of Pœdiculi was given to the inhabitants of that portion

of Peucetia which was more particularly situated on the coast between

the Aufidus and the confines of the Calabri. Pliny (iii. 11) states that

this particular tribe derived their origin from Illyria.

[2390] Brindisi.

[2391] Capo di Leuca.

[2392] We have followed Groskurd’s example in introducing this thousand.

The French translators thought it too hardy to venture, and Kramer was

fearful to insert it in his text, but he approves of it in his notes.

[2393] Manuscripts here have blanks.

[2394] Ruins near Torre a Mare.

[2395] Mare-piccolo.

[2396] Or twelve miles and a half. This computation does not agree with

modern measurements, which reckon the circuit at sixteen miles. See

Swinburne’s Travels, tom. i. sect. 32. Gagliardi, Topogr. di Taranto.

[2397] In the year 213 or 212 B. C.

[2398] B. C. 209.

[2399] It is said the pictures and statues taken on this occasion were

nearly as numerous as those found at Syracuse.

[2400] That which commenced about 743 B. C.

[2401] I have here translated τοῖς τοῦ δήμου and οἱ τοῦ δήμου by “free

citizens”. Several notes have been written on the exact meaning of the

words, but I am not satisfied that we understand it properly. It might

perhaps mean those appointed to the chief rule of the state by the

constitution.

[2402] There is little doubt that this passage is corrupt.

[2403] κυνέη, a leathern cap or hat, a helmet, &c. See also page 426.

[2404] About eight miles to the east or south-east of Taranto, upon the

coast, we find a place named Saturo. In this place the country open to

the south presents the most agreeable aspect. Sheltered from the north

wind, and watered by numerous running streams, it produces the choicest

fruits, oranges, citrons, lemons, pomegranates, figs, and all manner of

garden produce, with which Taranto is abundantly supplied. Ant. de

Ferrar. Galat. de sit. Iapyg. _edit. nell._ Raccolt. d’ Opusc. sc. et

philol. tom. vii. p. 80.

[2405] Mazoch. Prod. ad Heracl. pseph. diatr. ii. cap. 4, sect. 4, page

96, not. 51, considers that we should not make a distinction between

these barbarians and Cretans, but that they were identical.

[2406] According to Sicilian topographers, Camici was the same as the

citadel of Acragas [Girgenti].—Cluvier, Sic. Ant. lib. ii. cap. 15, p.

207, is of opinion that Camici occupied the site of Siculiana, on the

Fiume delle Canne. D’Anville, Géogr. Anc. tom. i. p. 219, and tom. iii.

p. 146, seems to locate Camici at Platanella, on the Fiume di Platani.

[2407] There are various readings of this name.

[2408] There is a tradition that Taras was born to Neptune by Satyræa,

daughter of Minos.

[2409] About 745 B. C.

[2410] Statius, lib. 4, Theb., thus mentions Ithome,

“Planaque Messena, montanaque nutrit Ithome.”

[2411] πῖλος Λακωνικός.

[2412] See Heyne, Opusc. Acad. tom. ii. p. 223, not. h.

[2413] He is said to have entertained Plato during his sojourn here.

Archytas flourished about the commencement of the fourth century B. C.,

and was still living in the year 349 B. C.

[2414] About 332 or 339 B. C. See Heyn. Opusc. Acad. tom. ii. p. 141.

[2415] About 338 B. C.

[2416] About 303 B. C.

[2417] About 330 B. C.

[2418] About 281 B. C.

[2419] Cramer, in his Ancient Italy, has very justly remarked that the

name of the small river Calandro, which discharges itself into the sea a

little below Capo di Roseto, bears some affinity to the river Acalandrus

mentioned by Strabo. However, some have thought it identical with the

Salandrella and the Fiume di Roseto, while Cluverius was of opinion that

we should here read Κυλίσταρνος instead of Ἀκάλανδρος, and identify it

with the modern Racanello.

[2420] 326 B. C.

[2421] 209 B. C.

[2422] 124 B. C.

[2423] Some suspect this last sentence to be an interpolation; certain

it is that there is great difficulty in finding a time to correspond

with all the circumstances contained in it. According to M. Heyne, this

war must have taken place 474 B. C., but then Heraclea was not founded

till 436 B. C. It seems too that the people of Iapygia had kings as late

as 480 B. C.

[2424] Brundusium, now Brindisi.

[2425] Castro. This temple is now changed into the church of Sancta

Maria in finibus terræ. See Capmart. de Chaupy, tom. iii. page 529.

[2426] Capo di Leuca. Pliny, lib. iii. cap. 11, says, Inde promontorium

quod Acran Iapygian vocant, quo longissime in maria procurrit Italia.

The Promontorium Iapygium, or Sallentinum, presented a conspicuous

landmark to mariners sailing from Greece to Sicily. The fleets of

Athens, after passing the Peloponnesus, are represented on this passage

as usually making for Corcyra, from whence they steered straight across

to the promontory, and then coasted along the south of Italy for the

remainder of the voyage.

[2427] The south-east.

[2428] The Acra Iapygia.

[2429] See notes to page 393 of this translation.

[2430] Cramer remarks that Veretum is still represented by the old

church of S. Maria di Vereto.

[2431] That is, on land.

[2432] Scylax, Peripl. p. 5, speaks of the Leuterni as a really existing

people.

[2433] Now Otranto. Lucan, book v. verse 374, speaking of the little

river Idro which runs close to Otranto, says,

Et cunctas revocare rates, quas avius Hydrus,

Antiquusque Taras, secretaque litora Leucæ.

Quas recipit Salapina palus, et subdita Sipus

Montibus.

And Cicero, writing of the town to Tyro, book xvi. epistle 9, says of

his voyage from Cassiope, Inde Austro lenissimo, cœlo sereno, nocte illa

et die postero in Italiam ad Hydruntem ludibundi pervenimus. This place

was called Hydruntum by Pliny and other authors.

[2434] Now Saseno, distant 35 minutes from Otranto.

[2435] B. C. 239.

[2436] We have followed Kramer’s text in calling this place Aletia,

several MSS. read Salepia. Cramer, in his description of Ancient Italy,

vol. ii. p. 316, says, Aletium is naturally supposed to have occupied

the site of the church of S. Maria della Lizza.—It was called Ἀλήτιον by

Ptolemy.

[2437] We have followed Kramer’s reading; some MSS. have Θυρέαι, some

Θυραῖαι, &c.

[2438] lit. of a certain one of the nobles.

[2439] Οὐρία, MSS., but a note in the French translation explains that

Strabo was quoting Herodotus from memory. We follow Kramer.

[2440] B. C. 1353.

[2441] Brindisi.

[2442] About B. C. 1323.

[2443] Great changes have taken place in this locality since Strabo’s

description was drawn.

[2444] Torre d’ Agnazzo.

[2445] Ceglie, south of Bari.

[2446] Now Noja; but the identity of this place has been much canvassed.

[2447] Canosa.

[2448] Now Ordona, about twelve miles to the east of Æca, now Troja.

Livy records the defeat of the Roman forces at this place in two

successive years. Hannibal removed the inhabitants and fired the town,

(Livy xxvii. 1,) but it was subsequently repaired, and is noticed by

Frontinus as Ardona. Ptolemy and Silius Italicus, viii. 568, mention it

as Herdonia—

. . . . . . . . . quosque

Obscura inculsis Herdonia misit ab agris.

[2449] Oria.

[2450] Venosa.

[2451] Paolisi.

[2452] Le Galazze.

[2453] S. Maria di Capoa.

[2454] Capoa Nova.

[2455] Monte Dragone, or Mondragone.

[2456] At Capua, now S. Maria di Capua.

[2457] Eustathius explains that those mountains were called Ceraunian

from the frequent falling of thunderbolts upon them. Τὰ Κεραύνια ὄρη,

οὕτω καλούμενα διὰ τὸ συχνοὺς ἐκεῖ πίπτειν κεραυνούς.

[2458] Durazzo.

[2459] It seems as if some words had been skipped in this place, for we

should expect to have the distance of the other passage to the Ceraunian

Mountains, but Strabo no where mentions it.

[2460] M. Gossellin seems to think we should here read 800 and not 1800

stadia; but Kramer reckons it improbable. Groskurd concurs essentially

with the opinion of M. Gossellin, and translates it something as

follows: “for it is 1000, while the former is 800 stadia across.”

[2461] Now Torre d’ Agnazzo.

[2462] Bari.

[2463] Silvium was situated on the Appian Way. Holstenius and Pratilli

agree in fixing its position at Garagnone, about 15 miles to the

south-west of Venosa. Holsten. Adnot. p. 281. Pratilli, Via Appia, l.

iv. c. 7.

[2464] About 310 stadia.

[2465] The Aufidus, celebrated by Horace, Od. iv. 9,

“Ne forte credas interitura, quæ

Longe sonantem natus ad Aufidum,

Non ante vulgatas per artes

Verba loquor socianda chordis.”

[2466] M. Gossellin considers this rather too much, and supposes 315

stadia would be nearer the truth.

[2467] Ruins now called Salpi.

[2468] Now Lucera.

[2469] See book v. c. 1, § 9, p. 320. Ptolemy makes these five, which is

the number of the isles of Tremiti at present, if we include in the

group three barren rocks, which scarce deserve the name of islands. One

was called Diomedea by Pliny, and Tremitus by Tacitus, who states that

Augustus appointed it as the prison of his grand-daughter Julia; the

second was called Teutria. The largest is at present called Isola San

Domino, the other Isola San Nicolo.

[2470] Book v. c. i. § 9, p. 320.

[2471] Siponto, a place in ruins near Manfredonia.

[2472] Sestini describes a gold coin belonging to this city, on which

the emblem of a cuttle fish in Greek, σηπία, is apparent. The legend is

Σιπο. Sestini descrizione d’ una Med. p. 16.

[2473] Lycophron calls this stream by the name of Althænus.

[2474] Groskurd is of opinion that some words to the following effect

have been accidentally lost from this place, viz. “The coast of Daunia

forms an extensive bay about these parts.”

[2475] Now Punta di Viesti. Strabo seems to have considered the whole of

the extensive neck of land lying between the bay of Rodi and that of

Manfredonia, as the Garganum Promontorium. Lucan, v. 380, thus describes

its prominence,

Apulus Hadriacas exit Garganus in undas.

[2476] About 37 miles towards the east.

[2477] Rodi.

[2478] See book v. c. i. § 9, p. 320.

[2479] Brindisi.

[2480] M. Gossellin gives a long note to show that the chorographer and

Artemidorus were both correct in the distances they gave, but asserts

that Strabo was mistaken as to the length of the stadium used by

Artemidorus, and consequently thought he saw a discrepancy between their

accounts.

[2481] The ancient Æsis.

[2482] We think, with Kramer, that Sena Gallica, now Sinigaglia, was the

city Strabo intends.

[2483] From the Capo della Linguetta, on the coast of Albania.

[2484] The town of Aquileia.

[2485] M. Gossellin suggests that Strabo omitted the coast of Istria in

his calculations, when he made this observation on the length of the

Illyrian shore, and refers to what Strabo will himself state in book

vii. chap. v. sections 3, 4, and 9, and to his estimate of 6150 stadia

from the Ceraunian Mountains to Iapygia in book ii. chap. iv. § 3, p.

159.

[2486] Doubtless the bight between the shore, adjacent to Peschici, to

the north of Viesti, and the Punta d’ Asinella.

[2487] A note in the French translation observes that the Apuli,

properly so called, could but have occupied the shore of half this bay,

for the Fortore falls into it just about the centre, which river was a

common boundary between the Apuli and Frentani.

[2488] B. C. 216.

[2489] Cramer says, the lake which Strabo speaks of as being near

Teanum, but without mentioning its name, is called by Pliny Lacus

Pontanus, (iii. 11,) now Lago di Lesina.

[2490] The city of Teanum stood on the right bank of the Fortore, the

ancient Frento; its ruins are stated to exist on the site of Civitate,

about a mile from the right bank of the Fortore, and ten miles from the

sea. Cramer, vol. ii. p. 273.

[2491] Now Teano, six miles from Sessa, and fifteen from Capua.

[2492] Pozzuolo.

[2493] M. Gossellin observes that from the head of the bay of Naples to

the shores bordering the ancient Teanum, there are 80 minutes, or 933

stadia of 700.

[2494] Romanelli is of opinion that the ruins of Buca exist at the

present Penna.

[2495] Book v. chap. iv. § 2, p. 359.

[2496] In the year 747 B. C.

[2497] In the year 594 B. C.

[2498] The Latins were first subjected in 499 B. C., but not totally

subjugated; the Sabines were almost annihilated in the war which

happened about 450 B. C.

[2499] See Polyb. Hist. book i. chap. vi. § 1, edit. Schweigh, tom. i.

p. 12.

[2500] This battle was fought in the year 405 B. C.

[2501] Concluded 387 B. C.

[2502] About 338 B. C.

[2503] About 310 B. C.

[2504] About 275 B. C.

[2505] In the year 264 B. C.

[2506] In the year 241 B. C.

[2507] 218 B. C.

[2508] 146 B. C.

[2509] Λιβύη.

[2510] The ancient Halys.

[2511] Antiochus ceded Asia Minor in the year B. C. 189.

[2512] Perseus was taken in the year B. C. 167.

[2513] Ister.

[2514] In the year B. C. 133.

[2515] In the year B. C. 140.

[2516] B. C. 72.

[2517] The inhabitants of Biscay.

[2518] B. C. 19.

[2519] About A. D. 17 or 18.

[2520] From this expression we may gather that Strabo wrote this 6th

Book of his Geography during the lifetime of Juba, and, as we shall

presently see, about A. D. 18; while he did not compile the 17th Book

till after Juba’s death, which must have taken place before A. D. 21.

See M. l’Abbé Sevin, Rech. sur la Vie, &c., de Juba, _Ac. des Inscr. et

Belles-Lettres_, vol. iv. _Mém._ p. 462.

[2521] Attalus III., king of Pergamus, died 133 B. C., and constituted

the Roman people his heir.

[2522] We may here observe that the Seleucidæ ceased to reign in Syria

as early as 83 B. C., when that country, wearied of their sad

dissensions, willingly submitted to Tigranes the king of Armenia, but

their race was not extinct, and even in the year 64 B. C. when Pompey

made the kingdom a Roman province, there were two princes of the

Seleucidæ, Antiochus Asiaticus and his brother Seleucus-Cybiosactes, who

had an hereditary right to the throne; the latter however died about 54

B. C., and in him terminated the race of the Seleucidæ.

[2523] The race of the kings of Paphlagonia became extinct about 7 B. C.

See M. l’Abbé Belley, Diss. sur l’ère de Germanicopolis, &c. _Ac. des

Inscr. et Belles-Lettres_, vol. xxx. _Mém._ p. 331.

[2524] The royal race of Cappadocia failed about 91 B. C.

[2525] The race of the Lagidæ terminated with Ptolemy Auletes, who died

44 B. C., leaving two daughters, Cleopatra and Arsinoë. Ptolemy Apion

died 96 B. C.; he left Cyrene, whereof he was king, to the Roman people.

[2526] Now the Fasz or Rion.

[2527] The Forat, Ferat, or Frat.

[2528] The ancient Ister.

[2529] Strabo will relate in book vii. chap. iv. § 4, that after the

defeat of Mithridates Eupator they became subject to the Romans.

[2530] See more as to these people in book vii. chap. iii. § 17.

[2531] Inhabitants of tents.

[2532] In the year 20 B. C. See book xvi. chap. i. § 28.

[2533] Compare Tacitus, Annales, lib. ii. § 1.

[2534] As Vonones, mentioned by Tacitus in his second book.

[2535] Compare the words of Tacitus, Annal. lib. i. § 9, Non aliud

discordantis patriæ remedium fuisse, quàm ut ab uno regeretur.

[2536] Germanicus was appointed to take charge of the East in A. D. 17,

in 18 he took possession of his government, and died in 19. Drusus was

in command of the armies of Germany in A. D. 17. Thus we may safely

conclude this 6th book of Strabo’s Geography to have been written in A.

D. 18.

[2537] The ancient Tanais.

[2538] Palus Mæotis.

[2539] The ancient Ister.

[2540] The ancient Propontis.

[2541] Strabo, in a subsequent passage, states that the distance from

the Danube to the city Trieste, at the head of the Adriatic, is about

1200 stadia.

[2542] The ancient Tyras.

[2543] The Borysthenes.

[2544] The Bastarnæ were a people occupying portions of the modern

Moldavia, Podolia, and the Ukraine.

[2545] The Tyregetæ, or the Getæ of the river Tyras, were a people

dwelling on the Dniester, to the south of the Bastarnæ.

[2546] The ancient geographers supposed that the Northern Ocean extended

to the 56° of north latitude. Their notions of the existence of the

Baltic were vague. They therefore confounded it with the Northern Ocean,

thus making the continent of Europe to extend only to the 56° of north

latitude.

[2547] See book iv. chap. iv. § 2, pp. 291, 292.

[2548] Strabo’s words are, γνήσιοι γὰρ oἱ Γερμανοὶ κατὰ τὴν Ῥωμαίων

διάλεκτον. It is possible he may be endeavouring to explain that the γερ

in Germani is equivalent to the Latin verus, “true,” the wahr of modern

German, and that Germani signifies the true men of the country, the

undoubted autochthones of Galatia or Gaul.

[2549] The Marsi were a people dwelling on the banks of the Ems, near

Munster.

[2550] The Sicambri were located near the Menapii. See above, p. 289.

[2551] The Albis.

[2552] Amasias.

[2553] The name of this tribe is written variously by different authors.

They are supposed to have occupied the lands between the Rhine, the Ems,

and the Lippe, but their boundaries were very uncertain, on account of

their continual wars.

[2554] This refers to the chain of mountains which, running from the

north of Switzerland, traverses Wurtemberg, Franconia, Bohemia, Moravia,

and joins Mount Krapak.

[2555] The Hercynian Wood, or Black Forest, was either one or a

succession of continuous forests, extending from the banks of the Rhine

to the confines of Persia and Bactriana.

[2556] The Suevi occupied a considerable portion of Germany, to the

north and east of Bohemia.

[2557] Coldui manuscripts. Kramer agrees with Cluverius in this

instance, and we have followed Kramer’s text.

[2558] The Lugii of Tacitus.

[2559] Zeus thinks these were the Burri of Dio Cassius, lxviii. 8. See

Zeus, Die Deutschen, &c., p. 126.

[2560] Kramer has Γούτωνας, although the MSS. have Βούτωνας. He is led

to this emendation by Cluverius and others. Cluv. Germ. Antiq. lib. iii.

c. 34, page 625.

[2561] The Gambrivii of Tacitus, Germ. cap. 2.

[2562] Cluverius considers these were the Chamavi.

[2563] We have followed Kramer’s text. MSS. read Bucteri.

[2564] For Caulci, Campsiani, Cluverius would read Cathulci, Campsani. A

little further on Strabo calls the Campsiani Ampsani.

[2565] Amasias.

[2566] Visurgis.

[2567] Lupias.

[2568] Salas.

[2569] Borcum. Pliny calls this island Burchana, and adds, that the

Romans gave it the name of Fabaria, on account of the beans (in Latin

Faba) which grow there.

[2570] Segimundus in Tacitus, Annal. lib. i. cap. 57.

[2571] Ægimerus in Tacitus, Annal. lib. i. cap. 71.

[2572] Acrumerus, according to the correction of Cluverius. He is

Actumerus in Tacitus, Annal. lib. xi. 16, 17.

[2573] MSS. Batti, which Vossius reckons were the Batavi.

[2574] Cluverius considers these were the Marsi of Tacitus, Annal. lib.

ii. cap. 25.

[2575] Called Tubantes by the Roman writers.

[2576] Schwartz Wald, or Black Forest.

[2577] The Lake Constance.

[2578] Strabo could hardly have intended 300, since the diameter of the

lake is given at 200. Velser conjectures that 500 or 600 would be the

proper reading. Its exact circumference is about 550 stadia.

[2579] Gossellin considers that by Keltica we are to understand

Cisalpine Gaul, and the neighbourhood of Milan and Mantua.

[2580] Gossellin says that the sources of the Danube are about 14

leagues distant from the western extremity of the Lake Constance.

[2581] The Rhæti possessed the countries of the Grisons and the Tyrol,

extending to the eastern shores of the Lake Constance.

[2582] The Helvetii, or Swiss, possessed the southern borders of the

Lake Constance.

[2583] The Vindelici occupied the country on the northern borders of the

lake, with the regions of Swabia and Bavaria south of the Danube, and

reaching to the Inn. _Gossellin._

[2584] It is evident that some words have been omitted in this place.

The words we have inserted are the conjecture of Cluverius and Groskurd.

[2585] As far as we can make out from Strabo and Pliny, book iii. cap.

27, the desert of the Boii stretched along the shores of the Danube from

the river Inn to the mountains a little west of Vienna, which were the

boundary between the Norici and the Pannonians. This strip of land is

now called the Wiener-Wald, or Forest of Vienna. Doubtless it took its

name of Desert of the Boii on account of its contiguity to the south of

the country occupied by those people, and which still bears the name of

Bohemia.

[2586] The Pannonians occupied the districts of Hungary west of the

Danube.

[2587] The Norici inhabited that part of Austria which lies between the

Danube and the Alps.

[2588] The Insubri occupied the Milanese.

[2589] The Carni have left their name to Carniola.

[2590] See also book ii. chap. 3, § 6. Festus relates that the Ambrones

abandoned their country on account of this tide. The Ambrones were a

tribe of the Helvetii, and more than once joined with the Cimbri.

[2591] The French translation has happily paraphrased, not translated,

this passage as follows: “For although it is true that the ocean has

tides of more or less height, still they occur periodically, and in an

order constantly the same.”

[2592] Aristotle, Ethics, Eudem. lib. iii. cap. 1, Nicolas of Damascus,

and Ælian, Var. Histor. lib. xii. cap. 23, have attributed the like

extravagant proceedings to the Kelts or Gauls. Nicolas of Damascus,

Reliq. pp. 272, 273, says that the Kelts resist the tides of the ocean

with their swords in their hands, till they perish in the waters, in

order that they may not seem to fear death by taking the precaution to

fly.

[2593] It is probable that Clitarchus obtained his information from the

Gauls. As for the sudden influx of the tide, there are several other

examples of the kind, in which the troops surprised were not so

successful in getting off.

[2594] Tacitus, De Morib. Germanor. cap. viii., says that these

priestesses were held in great reputation, and mentions one Veleda as

“diu apud plerosque numinis loco habitam.”

[2595] Pliny, lib. xix. cap. 1, describes this carbasus as very fine

flax, grown in the neighbourhood of Tarragona in Spain. The Père

Hardouin considers that the carbasus or fabric manufactured of this flax

was similar to the French _batiste_.—The flax and the fabric were alike

called carbasus.

[2596] The Sicambri, or Sugambri, dwelt to the south of the Lippe.

[2597] The Cimbri occupied Jutland, the ancient Cimbrica Chersonesus.

[2598] The shores of the Baltic.

[2599] Gossellin places the Jazyges in the southern districts of the

Ukraine, between the Dniester and the Sea of Azoff.

[2600] Gossellin considers that the name of Russia is derived from these

Roxolani.

[2601] The Bastarnæ and Tyregetæ, mentioned in chap. i. § 1, of this

book, to whom, in book ii. chap. v. § 30, Strabo adds also the

Sauromatæ.

[2602] The Sauromatæ, or Sarmatians, living to the east of the Sea of

Azoff and along the banks of the Don.

[2603] The term Atlantic was applied with much more latitude by Strabo

and Eratosthenes than by us.

[2604] But he himself turned back his shining eyes apart, looking

towards the land of the equestrian Thracians and the close-fighting

Mysians. Iliad xiii. 3.

[2605] The Strait of the Dardanelles.

[2606] Milkers of mares.

[2607] People who live on milk.

[2608] Devoid of riches.

[2609] Dwelling in waggons.

[2610] Perhaps Teurisci.

[2611] A note in the French translation suggests that Capnobatæ has some

connexion with the practice of intoxication by inhaling smoke, and of

using the vapour of linseed, burned upon red-hot stones, as a bath. See

Herodot. book i. chap. 202; book iv. chap. 75.

[2612] And the illustrious Hippemolgi, milk-nourished, simple in living

and most just men. Iliad xiii. 5.

[2613] δεκάτῳ, text: but there is no doubt it should be the thirteenth.

[2614] People without life.

[2615] The Greek is ἀνεστίους, literally “without hearths.”

[2616] Strabo does not intend by the word κυνισμὸς, which he here uses,

the profession of a Cynic philosopher, which some of the Stoics affected

in consequence of their not thoroughly understanding the dogmas of Zeno,

the founder of their sect. It was to these ultra-Stoics that the name of

Stoaces [Στόακες] was given by way of ridicule. Athenæus, book xiii.

chap. 2, remarks that a like propensity to overdo the precept of the

teacher led the disciples of Aristippus, who recommended rational

pleasures, to become mere libertines.

[2617] Heraclides of Pontus, page 215, gives them even as many as thirty

wives.

[2618] Kramer reads δαπάναις, which we have rendered by “expenses,” but

all manuscripts have ἀπάταις. The French translation gives a note with

Koray’s conjecture of δαπάναις, which is supported by a very similar

passage respecting Alcibiades, where Isocrates (P. I. page 354, ed.

Coray) says, “He was so lavish in the sacrifices and other expenses for

the feast.” Both the French and German translations adopt the

emendation.

[2619] Ζάλμοξις is the reading of the Paris manuscript, No. 1393, and we

should have preferred it for the text, as more likely to be a Getæan

name, but for the circumstance of his being generally written Zamolxis.

[2620] D’Anville imagines that this is the modern mountain Kaszon, and

the little river of the same name on the confines of Transylvania and

Moldavia.

[2621] See Strabo’s former remarks on this identical subject, book i.

chap. ii. § 3, page 25.

[2622] εἰς τὸν Πόντον.

[2623] Ister.

[2624] Tanais.

[2625] Borysthenes.

[2626] Hypanis.

[2627] Phasis.

[2628] Thermodon.

[2629] Halys.

[2630] Gossellin observes, that these must have been the Scythians

inhabiting the Taurica Chersonesus, now the Crimea. The people on the

opposite or southern shore were less savage. The Ionians had made

settlements amongst these as early as the sixth century B. C.

[2631] Africa.

[2632] The Mediterranean.

[2633] Od. book iv. line 83. See Strabo’s remarks on this reading of

Zeno, book i. chap. ii. § 34, page 66.

[2634] See the notes on these various monsters, book i. chap. ii. § 35,

p. 68.

[2635] The Riphæan Mountains were probably the chain of the Ural

Mountains, which separate Russia from Siberia.

[2636] This mountain is unknown.

[2637] The Gorgons were Stheino, Euryalé, and Medusa, the daughters of

Phorcys and Ceto. See also book i. chap. ii. § 8, page 29.

[2638] The Hesperides were the daughters of Night. They dwelt on an

island on the western edge of the world. See also Apollodorus, book ii.

chap. v. § 11.

[2639] Ælian, Var. Histor. book iii. chap. 18, says that Theopompus

related an interview between Midas, king of Phrygia, and Silenus, in

which Silenus reported the existence of an immense continent, larger

than Asia, Europe, and Africa taken together, and that amongst others a

race of men called Meropes occupied several extensive cities there.

[2640] Ephorus speaks of the Cimmerii who dwelt round the Lake Avernus.

See Strabo, book v. chap. iv. § 5, page 263.

[2641] See Strabo, book ii. chap. iv. § 2, page 158.

[2642] A note in the French translation says that this place has not

been identified in the works of Aristotle now remaining, and suggests

that there may be some error in the text.

[2643] See what Strabo has said on this subject in book i. chap. ii. §

37, pp. 70, 71.

[2644] Strabo will speak further on the subject of Gerena in book viii.

chap. iii. § 7, and § 29.

[2645] Reference is here made to the epithet ἀκάκητα, which Homer

applies to Mercury, Iliad xvi. 185. The grammarians explain it correctly

as “free from evil,” or “who neither does nor suffers wrong.” However,

there were some who interpreted it differently. They maintain that

Mercury was so called from a cavern in Arcadia, called Acacesium, (see

Schol. in Homer, edit. Villois. pag. 382,) which was situated near

Cyllene, a mountain of Arcadia, where he was born. See Apollodor.

Biblioth. lib. iii. cap. x. § 2. Hesiod, however, applies the same

epithet to Prometheus, (Theogon. verse 613,) who, according to the

scholiast, was thus designated from Acacesium, a mountain, not a cavern,

of Arcadia, where he was greatly revered.

[2646] Homer, Iliad iii. verse 201, in speaking of Ulysses, says, Ὃς

τράφη ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης. Some writers affirmed that the Δῆμος was the name

of a place in Ithaca, while others think it a word, and understand the

passage “who was bred in the country of Ithaca.” On comparing this

passage with others, Iliad xvi. vss. 437, 514, and with a parallel

expression of Hesiod Theogon. verse 971, one is greatly astonished at

the ignorance and eccentricity of those who sought to make a place Demus

out of this passage of Homer.

[2647] According to some, Pelethronium was a city of Thessaly; according

to others, it was a mountain there, or even a part of Mount Pelion.

[2648] There is no mention of any Glaucopium throughout the writings of

Homer. Eustathius, on the Odyssey, book ii. page 1451, remarks that it

was from the epithet γλαυκῶπις, blue-eyed or fierce-eyed, which he so

often gives to Minerva, that the citadel at Athens was called the

Glaucopium, while Stephen of Byzantium, on Ἀλαλκομένιον, asserts that

both the epithet γλαυκῶπις and the name of the citadel Glaucopium comes

from Glaucopus, the son of Alalcomeneus.

[2649] And the close-fighting Mysians, and the illustrious Hippemolgi,

milk-nourished, _simple in living_, and most just of men. Iliad xiii. 5.

The word which Cowper renders “blest with length of days,” and Buckley

“simple in living,” is ἄβιοι. Its signification is very uncertain. Some

propose to derive it from α, privative, and βιὸς, a bow, or bowless;

while others regard it as a proper name, Abii. In Lucian’s Dialogues of

the Dead, xv. 3, it means, without a living, poor, as derived from α,

privative, and βίος, a means of living, livelihood. Cowper’s meaning is

made up from α, intensive, and βίος, life.

[2650] Pontus Axenus.

[2651] This word is corrupt in the MSS.

[2652] He was called Idanthyrsus. See Herodotus, book iv. chap. 127.

[2653] Satyrus is supplied by Koray. See also chapter iv. of this book,

§ 4, and book xi. chap. ii. § 7. Groskurd refers also to Diodorus, book

xiv. 93, and says that Leuco was the son of Satyrus.

[2654] The mountains in the north of Thrace still bear the name of

Emineh-Dag, or Mount Emineh, at their eastern point; but the western

portion is called the Balkan.

[2655] Piezina, at the embouchure of the Danube, between Babadag and

Ismail.

[2656] A note in the French translation says, these were the Carni and

the Iapodes, who having followed Sigovesus, in the reign of the elder

Tarquin, had taken up their abode in the neighbourhood of the Adriatic;

and refers to the Examen Critique des Anciens Historiens d’Alexandre, by

M. de Sainte Croix, page 855.

[2657] Diodorus Siculus, in Excerpt. Peiresc. pag. 257; Memnon apud

Photium, cod. 214, cap. 6; and Plutarch, in Demetrio, § 39 and 52,

confirm what Strabo says here of the manner in which Dromichætes treated

Lysimachus.

[2658] This is not in Plato’s Republic, but in his fourth book of Laws.

[2659] This passage, if it is the writing of Strabo, and not the

marginal note of some learned reader, should doubtless be transferred

back to the end of § 7 of this chapter.

[2660] Iliad xiii. 5. See note [2646] to page 460.

[2661] Kramer quotes Nækius in proof that we should here read Xerxes

instead of Darius; and Groskurd refers to another passage in Strabo,

book xiii. chap. i. § 22.

[2662] Casaubon observes that Diodorus Siculus attributes the invention

of the potter’s wheel to Talus, a nephew of Dædalus, and that

Theophrastus awards it to one Hyperbius of Corinth.

[2663] Iliad xviii. 600. Posidonius chose to regard this passage as an

interpolation, and would not give the praise of the invention to any

other than Anacharsis.

[2664] ἀβίους.

[2665] Iliad xiii. 5.

[2666] See chap. iii. § 3, 4, of this book.

[2667] ἄνδρα γόητα, one who used a kind of howling incantation while

repeating spells.

[2668] See book vii. chap. iii. § 5, page 456.

[2669] Gossellin observes that the Dacians did not extend to the sources

of the Danube, but to Bohemia, near the middle of the course of the

Danube.

[2670] Gossellin seems to think that these Daæ are identical with the

inhabitants of Daghistan. Davus is not found as the name of a slave

amongst the Greeks till after the conquests of Alexander the Great.

[2671] Hyrcania comprehended the Corcan and Daghistan.

[2672] From Lydia and Syria.

[2673] Μάρισος ποταμός.

[2674] ὁ Δανούιος.

[2675] ὁ Ἴστρος. Stephen of Byzantium says that the Ister was called

Δάνουβις, and that in very ancient times it was called Matoas. According

to Ptolemy the lower part of the Danube was called Ister from Axiopolis,

now Rassovat; according to Agathemerus, from Vienna.

[2676] Σαυρομάται.

[2677] The ancient Tyras.

[2678] Bessarabia and the southern part of Moldavia.

[2679] Peter the Great, at the beginning of the last century, incurred

the risk of falling into the hands of the Turks almost on the same spot

where Darius and Lysimachus had been in distress.

[2680] Now Piczina.

[2681] Ammianus Marcellinus, book xxii. chap. 8, gives the names of

these mouths. He calls the Sacred Mouth by the name of the island Peuce.

[2682] There has been much geographical change in this locality since

Strabo wrote.

[2683] The Tyras.

[2684] Gossellin supports this distance.

[2685] The Lake Ovidovo.

[2686] Now Akkerman.

[2687] Gossellin could not identify Niconia with any modern town.

Groskurd marks it as destroyed.

[2688] Groskurd identifies this with Palanka.

[2689] Groskurd calls this Ilan-Adassi, or Schlangeninsel. Gossellin

likewise translates Ilan-Adassi as “Isle of Serpents.”

[2690] The ancient Borysthenes.

[2691] Gossellin considers that Strabo wrote 1600 stadia, for at that

distance from the sea there are cataracts which stop the ships that come

from the sea.

[2692] Strabo’s word is Ὕπανις. Gossellin observes that we should look

for the Ὕπανις to the east of the Dnieper, while the Bog lies to the

west of that river.

[2693] Gossellin identifies this island with the modern Berezan.

[2694] Now the Dnieper.

[2695] Olbia, or Olbiopolis, would, according to this measure, be about

the junction of the Bog and Dnieper.

[2696] Mannert has attempted to read Γεωργοί, because Herodotus, book

iv. chap. 18, has so termed those Scythians who cultivated their fields.

Is it not possible that the Latin Regii was the word Strabo had in his

mind?

[2697] Piczina.

[2698] Some MSS. read this name Ῥωξανοί, others Ῥοξανοί, and others

Ῥωξοανοί, but whether there is any distinction to be drawn between these

and the Ῥωξαλανοί of book ii. chap. v. § 7, is not to be ascertained.

[2699] The Tanais.

[2700] The Sea of Zabache.

[2701] The Borysthenes.

[2702] The Gulf of Perecop, called also Olou-Degniz. _Gossellin._

[2703] The Isthmus of Perecop, which connects the Peninsula of Crimea,

the ancient Taurica Chersonesus.

[2704] The Strait of Zabache, or Iéni-Kalé.

[2705] Panticapæum, now Kertsch or Wospor in Europe.

[2706] Phanagoria was on the Asiatic coast of the Bosphorus.

[2707] We entirely agree with Kramer in favouring Coray’s emendation of

πλοῦν for πηλόν, the reading of MSS.

[2708] Herodotus, book iv. chap. 53, says this fishing was carried on in

the Dnieper. Ælian, de Natur. Animal. book xiv. chap. 26, refers it to

the Danube.

[2709] Strabo has before alluded to this fact, book ii. chap. i. § 16,

p. 114.

[2710] Lucian, in Macrob. § 10, spells his name Anteas, and relates that

he was killed in this war when upwards of 90 years of age.

[2711] Father of Alexander the Great.

[2712] The Island of Berezan.

[2713] M. Gossellin identifies this as Cape Czile.

[2714] 190 toises.

[2715] 63½ toises.

[2716] The Dromos Achillis is pretty well laid down in D’Anville’s Orbis

Romani Pars Orientalis, 1764, but at present it presents a very

different appearance.

[2717] There is a note by Gossellin in the French translation to the

following effect. The western part of this strip of land is known as the

Island of Tendra, because it is separated by a cut. The eastern part of

the strip is called Djarilgatch. The entire length of the tongue of land

is 800 Olympic stadia, the two extremities are a little farther from the

mainland than Strabo says, and the isthmus is about 50 Olympic stadia

broad. D’Anville has run this isthmus through the tongue of land, and

jutting out into the sea, so as to form a cape, which he also calls

Tendra, and which would answer to the Tamyraca of Strabo. In the most

recent maps there is no trace of this cape, but we see the port of which

Strabo speaks. As these tongues of land are composed of a shifting sand,

they may experience alterations of form and variations of extent.

[2718] Gossellin observes that the direction of the Gulf Carcinites, or

Gulf of Perecop, is from west to east, with a slight inclination towards

the north, on arriving from the south. Its northern shore commences at

the isthmus of the Course of Achilles, and would measure about 1000

Olympic stadia if we were to follow all the sinuosities.

[2719] Perekop. The isthmus is about 5½ miles across, according to M.

Huot’s map, which accompanies Prince Demidoff’s Travels in Russia.

[2720] The Crimea.

[2721] The Sivash, or Putrid Lake. It communicates at the present day,

not by a large opening, but by the narrow strait of Yenitche, or Tonka,

with the Sea of Azof, (the Palus Mæotis,) from which it is separated by

the Tonka, or Tongue of Arabat.

[2722] ῥαπτοῖς πλοίοις. Boats probably composed of frame-work covered

with hides.

[2723] Casaubon suggests, and Gossellin adopts, the reading καλὸς λιμὴν,

Fair Haven, for ἄλλος λιμὴν, another harbour. Whatever harbour was

meant, its situation is uncertain.

[2724] Tereklias.

[2725] The ancient Tyras.

[2726] In speaking of the Virgin as “some goddess,” it may be doubted

whether Diana is here meant, or some Scythian or Eastern divinity.

Parthenium, a village, is mentioned, c. 4, 5. The scene of the Iphigenia

in Tauris of Euripides is laid some where on these shores.

[2727] The New Chersonesus, Cape Cherson, and the three small harbours

near Khut.

[2728] The Heracleotic Chersonese was comprehended in the triangle

formed by Ctenus, (Inkerman,) Parthenium, (Cape Cherson,) and Symbolon

Limen (Baluklava). The Gulf of Ctenus is now the Gulf of Sebastopol, a

name substituted for that of Akhtiar in the time of Catherine II. of

Russia. On the first small bay to the west of the town of Sebastopol,

was situated the New city Chersonesus, flourishing in the time of

Strabo; the Old Chersonesus, described as in ruins, was situated on the

small peninsula, the extreme western point of which is Cape Cherson.

Both here and in various parts of the Crimea were very interesting

remains of antiquity, but Dr. Clarke complains of their wanton

destruction. Ctenus is probably derived from κτενώδης, “like a comb,”

descriptive of the indented nature of the gulf. Both Gossellin and

D’Anville have mistaken the true position of the Heracleotic Chersonese.

[2729] So named after the wife or sister of Leucon. _C._ Now Kaffa.

[2730] Cape Aia and Cape Keremp.

[2731] The opposite coasts are not visible from the middle passage.

[2732] The engraving in Pallas shows it to be, as the name implies, a

table mountain, now Tchadir-Dagh, or Tent Mountain.

[2733] Trebizond.

[2734] The name seems to be preserved in that of one of the districts

near the mountains, Eski-Krim. _G._ In Prince Demidoff’s map it is

called Staröi-Krime.

[2735] Kertch.

[2736] The Sea of Azof.

[2737] Caffa.

[2738] i. e. from Kertch to Taman, or from Yeni-kaleh near Kertch to

Taman. Prince Gleb, son of Vladimir, A. D. 1065, measured this latter

distance on the ice, and found it to be 30,057 Russian fathoms, or

nearly 12 miles. Here the battle was fought on the ice. See chap. iii. §

18.

[2739] The Tanais.

[2740] According to modern maps, the Don separates into two branches,

and there again into several others, which form the mouths of the river.

The extreme branches are at a considerable distance from each other.

[2741] Azof.

[2742] Yeni-kaleh.

[2743] Kazandib.

[2744] The amount is enormous, if it refers to the quantity of corn

shipped in a single year. Neither manuscripts nor translations afford

any various reading. The abbreviator, however, instead of 2,100,000,

(μυριάδας μεδίμνων διακοσίας καὶ δέκα,) gives 150,000 (μεδίμνους

ΜΥΡΙΑΔΑΣ ΙΕ). But instead of correcting Strabo by his abbreviator, it is

more probable that the text of the latter should be changed to

2,100,000, or even to 2,150,000 (ΜΥΡΙΑΔΑΣ ΣΙΕ). Bréquigny, by an

oversight, or because he thought proper to change the ΜΥΡΙΑΔΑΣ of the

text to ΧΙΛΙΑΔΑΣ, translates 210,000 medimni. However it may be, we know

from Demosthenes, that this same prince of the Bosporus mentioned by

Strabo, sent annually to Athens 400,000 medimni of corn, a quantity far

below that mentioned in the text. To reconcile these authors, Mr. Wolf

supposes that we ought to understand by 2,100,000 medimni of corn, the

shipment made in the year of the great famine, which occurred in the

105th Olympiad, (about 360 B. C.,) and of which Demosthenes speaks in a

manner to give us to understand, that the quantity sent that year by

Leucon greatly exceeded that of former years. A very probable

conjecture. _F. T._ The medimnus was about 1½ bushel.

[2745] ὄψημα.

[2746] ἀβίους.

[2747] I have adopted the reading suggested by the F. T., Πύργους καθ’

ἕκαστα στάδια δέκα. The wall of Ansander may still be traced. _Pallas._

[2748] Places to me unknown. _G._ Pallas erroneously supposes Palacium

to be the modern Balaklava.

[2749] Named after Mithridates Eupator. Koslof, now again Eupatoria.

[2750] δορκάδες.

[2751] Sea of Marmora.

[2752] The Veliki Balkan.

[2753] The southern part of Dalmatia bounded by the Narenta, which takes

its source in the Herzogovina.

[2754] Called Monte Argentaro by the Italians, Basilissa by the Greeks,

Rulla by the Turks. _Baudrand._ Despoto Dagh.

[2755] Occupied the neighbourhood of the river Titius, Kerca, which

discharges itself near Siberico.

[2756] The mountainous country south of Servia.

[2757] The text presents some difficulty; another reading is Tænii.

Gossellin supposes the lake to be the Czirknitz-See near Mount Albius,

now Alben or Planina.

[2758] The Margus? See chap. v. § 12.

[2759] At the confluence of the Kulpa and the Save, afterwards Siscia,

now Sizsek.

[2760] Occupied the coast of Morlacca from the Gulf of Quarnero to Zara.

[2761] According to Pliny, the name of this place is derived from the

fable of the ship Argo, which was brought up the Danube and the Save,

and thence carried on men’s shoulders to the Adriatic. Now Porto Quieto.

[2762] To the north of Trieste.

[2763] Trieste.

[2764] Carniola.

[2765] The Czirknitz-See.

[2766] The Kulpa.

[2767] Gulf of Cataro.

[2768] Now celebrated for the remains of a Roman amphitheatre.

[2769] Ancona.

[2770] The Venetian territory.

[2771] I am not acquainted with the sites of these places. _G._

[2772] Ζειᾷ καὶ κέγχρῳ.

[2773] Scardona.

[2774] The Kerka.

[2775] The modern names of these numerous islands must be matter of

conjecture. Issa is Lissa.

[2776] Salona.

[2777] Inhabitants, probably, of the peninsula Sabioncello.

[2778] Curzola.

[2779] Varalii, MSS.; but manifestly wrong.

[2780] Risano in the Gulf of Cataro.

[2781] The river Drin.

[2782] Kramer suggests the omission of these words, which render the

passage obscure.

[2783] Galabrii. The name of this people is unknown. Probably it should

be changed to Taulantii, an Illyrian tribe, or considered as a second

name of the Taulantii, or that of a tribe belonging to them. The name

Galabrus, or Galaurus, king of the Taulantii, has come down to us, which

gives some probability to the second conjecture. _C._

[2784] The Mædi occupied the mountains which separate Macedonia from

Thrace, between the river Strymon and Mount Rhodope. _G._

[2785] The Gulf of Cataro.

[2786] Alesso.

[2787] A fortified rock near.

[2788] Durazzo.

[2789] Ergent, or Beratino.

[2790] Lao, or Vousoutza.

[2791] Polina. Thucydides calls Apollonia a colony of the Corinthians,

and not of the Corinthians and Corcyræans. He states it, however, (b. i.

c. 24,) to have been the practice for colonies which in their turn

founded other colonies, to unite with them, on these occasions, citizens

of the mother city.

[2792] One of the peaks of Pindus.

[2793] Amphilochian Argos, now Filochia. _G._

[2794] On the boundary of Cilicia and Syria.

[2795] Appear to have been situated on the Gulf of Valona. _G._

[2796] The name, Ionian Gulf, appears to have extended from the

Acroceraunian mountains to the southern part of Dalmatia, near Lissus,

now Alessio, to the bottom of the Gulf of Drin. _G._

[2797] The word Αδρίας is translated Adriatic. In the version of the New

Testament it is translated Adria. Acts xxvii. 27.—The Tartaro.

[2798] Narenta.

[2799] A common opinion among ancient geographers. See b. i. c. ii. §

39.

[2800] παρακούσματα λαοδογματικά.

[2801] The Agrianæ occupied the neighbourhood of Mount Pangæus on the

confines of Thrace and Macedonia. The Triballi, at the time alluded to

by Strabo, possessed nearly the whole of the country included between

the Adriatic and the Euxine. The Scordisci, who were at first confined

to the territory situated between the Drave and the Save, in their turn

took possession of all this country. It is not possible, in consequence

of the continual wars which existed amongst these people, to determine

with exactness the places which they successively occupied. _G._

[2802] Probably the Save. _G._

[2803] Mædi.

[2804] Cities not identified.

[2805] The Dobrudscha.

[2806] Mangalia, Tomesvar, the place of Ovid’s exile, Kara-Herman.

[2807] Istropolis or Kara-Herman.

[2808] Tomesvar.

[2809] Mangalia.

[2810] Sizepoli.

[2811] Baltchik, near Kavarna.

[2812] Varna.

[2813] Cape Emineh—in the English charts Emona, but there is no fixed

system of spelling for names of places in this part of the world. Emineh

is probably a corruption of Hæmus.

[2814] Missemvria.

[2815] Or Meneburgh, we should say. The Thracian was a language cognate

with that of the Getæ; see Strabo, book vii. chap. iii. § 10; and the

Getæ were Gothic. We have the Liber Aureus in the Moeso Gothic language

still.

[2816] Ahiolou.

[2817] Places no longer known. _G._

[2818] In the English charts Kyanees. They do not correspond to the

description here given. The well-known poetical name is Symplegades.

[2819] In Italian, Pelamide, or Palamide, well known in the

Mediterranean. It is not to be compared in size to the Thunny, but is

much larger than the Mackerel, of a dark blue and streaked. Like the

Thunny, it is migratory. Aristotle erroneously conjectures the Pelamide

to be the young of the Thunny.

[2820] The ancient Byzantium, there are grounds for believing, was

marked by the present walls of the Seraglio. The enlarged city was

founded by the emperor Constantine, A. D. 328, who gave it his name, and

made it the rival of Rome itself. It was taken from the Greeks in 1204,

by the Venetians under Dandolo; retaken by the Greeks in 1261 under the

emperor Michael Palæologus, and conquered by the Turks in 1453. The

crescent found on some of the ancient Byzantine coins was adopted as a

symbol by the Turks.

[2821] B. C. 1570. He was king of Argos.

[2822] The Peloponnesus, which before the arrival of Pelops was called

Apia.

[2823] Eumolpus took possession of Eleusis B. C. 1400. He is said to

have there instituted the mysteries of Ceres.

[2824] Cadmus, son of Agenor, king of Tyre, arrived in Bœotia B. C.

1550. The citadel of Thebes was named after him.

[2825] Sues, Σύας, swine, in allusion to their ignorance.

[2826] There were two kings of Athens named Cecrops. The first of this

name, first king of Attica and Bœotia, came from Egypt. Cecrops II. was

the 7th, and Codrus the 17th and last king of Attica. Strabo informs us,

b. x. c. i. § 3, that Œclus and Cothus were brothers of Ellops, who

founded Ellopia in Eubœa, and gave the name to the whole island.

[2827] B. v. c. ii. § 4.

[2828] The capture of Troy by Hercules. See Grote i. 388.

[2829] B. C. 168.

[2830] Ipsala.

[2831] Maritza.

[2832] D’Anville (Mesures Itineraires) conjectures the difference

between Polybius and Strabo to arise from the Greek foot being less than

the Roman foot in the ratio of 24 to 25; or 24 Roman stadia = 25 Greek

stadia containing the same number of feet.

[2833] Polina.

[2834] Durazzo.

[2835] Lago d’ Ochrida.

[2836] Vodina.

[2837] The ruins of Pella are at a little distance on the east of the

lake Tenidscheh.

[2838] Salonica.

[2839] Gulf of Arta.

[2840] Iemboli.

[2841] Balkan applies to the whole mountainous range of Hæmus; Emineh to

the part bordering on the Black Sea.

[2842] Sea of Marmora.

[2843] Gulf of Saros.

[2844] Cape Colonna.

[2845] Karasu, or Mesta.

[2846] The site of Dodona is unknown.

[2847] Panormo.

[2848] Santi Quaranta.

[2849] Corfu.

[2850] Cassiopo.

[2851] Brindisi.

[2852] Butrinto.

[2853] Syvota.

[2854] C. Bianco.

[2855] The Thyamus, or Thyamis, is now called Glycys, and the Acheron,

Calamas.

[2856] Sopoto.

[2857] Porto Fanari.

[2858] The ruins of Nicopolis are to the north of Prevesa.

[2859] Cæsar Augustus (then Cæsar Octavianus) obtained the celebrated

victory of Actium over Marcus Antonius, B. C. 31. The latter, after his

defeat, fled into Egypt with Cleopatra. The battle would appear to have

taken place at the entrance into the Gulf of Arta, and therefore

probably off La Punta, opposite Prevesa, and not off the modern town of

Azio.

[2860] In the Austrian map a ground-plan of the ruins of Nicopolis are

given, at about one mile to the north of Prevesa.

[2861] The Gulf of Ambracia, and the rivers which flow into it, are much

distorted in D’Anville. According to more modern maps, the Arathus is

the most western of the streams which flow into the gulf, and the

ancient city was situated at about 15 miles from the mouth. The Lorn

(the Arathus); the Mauro Potamo or Glykys (the Acheron); the Zagura (the

Selleis?) which falls into it; and the Tercino, which falls into the

Kalamas, (the Thyamis or Thyamus,) all rise in the mountain ridge

Olytkiza, about 10 miles to the west of Ianina.

[2862] Livy xxxviii. c. 3.

[2863] Virg. Æn. iii. 280.

[2864] Descendants of the seven chiefs who fought and perished before

Thebes.

[2865] These nations are mentioned by other authors; they were probably

separated by the numerous mountain ridges to the west of Pindus. See

below, § 9. But compare D’Anville and the Austrian military map.

[2866] Alcomenæ.

[2867] Styberra, _Polyb._; Stubera, _Liv._; Stobera, _Suid._

[2868] Iliad, book xvi. 233.

[2869] ὑποφῆται.

[2870] τομοῦροι.

[2871] Odys. xvi. 403.

[2872] τομούρους.

[2873] θέμιστας.

[2874] βουλαί.

[2875] τομούρους.

[2876] τομαρούρους.

[2877] βουλὴν.

[2878] ὑποφῆται.

[2879] προφῆται.

[2880] The Fragments are collected from the Palatine (EPIT.) and Vatican

(E.) Epitomes; and, in the opinion of Kramer, much is not lost. By the

diligence and research of Kramer, the former length of these Fragments

is more than doubled; but for a more particular account of his labours,

the reader is referred to his preface and notes.

[2881] This proverb is quoted in Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus.

[2882] Indesche Karasu.

[2883] Oxas.

[2884] Ipsala.

[2885] The Maritza.

[2886] Schar-dagh.

[2887] Egrisou-dagh.

[2888] Despoto-dagh.

[2889] Veliki-dagh.

[2890] Above Agios-Mamas, in the Bay of Cassandra.

[2891] The Gallico.

[2892] Kramer quotes the following passage from Eustathius: “In the

passage ἐπικίδναται αἴῃ, or αἶαν, (for there are two readings,) some

have understood αἶαv not to mean the earth, but a spring, as is evident

from the words of the geographer, where he says that the Amydon of Homer

was afterwards called Abydos, but was razed. For there is a spring of

clearest water near Amydon, called Æa, running into the Axius, which is

itself turbid, in consequence of the numerous rivers which flow into it.

There is, therefore, he says, an error in the quotation, Ἀξίου κάλλιστον

ὕδωρ ἐπικίδναται αἴῃ, as it is clearly not the Axius which diffuses

its water over the spring, but the contrary. The geographer rather

intemperately finds fault with the supposition of αἶαν meaning the

earth, and seems anxious to reject altogether this reading in the

Homeric poem.”

[2893] Buræus.

[2894] Gulf of Salonica.

[2895] Cape Pailuri.

[2896] The ruins of Potidæa, or Cassandria, are near Pinako.

[2897] Karafaja.

[2898] Monte Santo.

[2899] Gulf of Zeitun.

[2900] G. of Volo.

[2901] G. of Salonica.

[2902] G. of Cassandra.

[2903] G. of Monte Santo.

[2904] G. of Orfano.

[2905] Cape Stauros.

[2906] C. Demitri.

[2907] C. Pailuri.

[2908] C. Drepano.

[2909] C. St. George.

[2910] C. Monte Santo.

[2911] Kavala.

[2912] Δάτον ἀγαθῶν. Ἀγαθῶν ἀγαθίδες.

[2913] This extract should be numbered 42, and not 43. As the error in

Kramer continues to the end of the book, it has not been corrected.

[2914] Gulf of Saros.

[2915] Kavaktshai.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Geography of Strabo, Volume I (of 3), by Strabo