Some
describe
the Propontis
to be the Hellespont; others, that part of the Propontis which is to the
south of Perinthus; others include a part of the exterior sea which
opens to the Ægæan and the Gulf Melas, each assigning different limits.
to be the Hellespont; others, that part of the Propontis which is to the
south of Perinthus; others include a part of the exterior sea which
opens to the Ægæan and the Gulf Melas, each assigning different limits.
Strabo
There is a city on the peninsula, formerly called Potidæa,[2896]
founded by the Corinthians, but afterwards it was called Cassandria,
from king Cassander, who restored it after it was demolished. It is a
circuit of 570 stadia round the peninsula by sea. Here giants were said
to have lived, and the region to have been called Phlegra. Some consider
this to be a mere fable, but others, with greater probability on their
side, see implied in it the existence of a barbarous and lawless race of
people who once occupied the country, but who were destroyed by Hercules
on his return home, after the capture of Troy. Here also the Trojan
women are said to have committed the destructive act of burning the
ships, to avoid becoming the slaves of their captors’ wives. E.
26. The city Berœa[2897] lies at the roots of Mount Bermius. EPIT.
27. Pallene is a peninsula. On the isthmus of Pallene lies what was once
Potidæa, but now Cassandra. It was formerly called Phlegra, and was
inhabited by the fabulous giants, an impious and lawless race, who were
destroyed by Hercules. It has upon it four cities, Aphytis, Mende,
Scione, and Sana. EPIT.
28. Olynthus is distant from Potidæa 70 stadia. E.
29. The arsenal of Olynthus is Mecyberna, on the Toronæan Gulf. EPIT.
30. Near Olynthus is a hollow tract called Cantharolethron, from an
accidental circumstance. The Cantharus, (the beetle,) which is bred in
the surrounding country, dies as soon as it touches this tract. EPIT.
31. Next after Cassandria is the remaining part of the sea-coast of the
Toronæan Gulf, as far as Derris. It is a promontory opposite the
district of Canastrum, and forms a gulf. Opposite to Derris, to the
east, are the promontories of Athos; between them is the Singitic Gulf,
which receives its name from an ancient city in it, Singus, now
destroyed. Next is the city Acanthus, situated on the isthmus of
Athos,[2898] founded by the Andrii; whence, by many, it is called the
Acanthian Gulf. E.
32. Opposite to Canastrum, a promontory of Pallene, is the promontory
Derris, near Cophus-Limen [or Deaf Harbour]: these form the boundaries
of the Toronæan Gulf. Again, towards the east lies the promontory of
Athos, [Nymphæum,] which bounds the Singitic Gulf. Then follow one
another the gulfs of the Ægean Sea, towards the north, in this order:
the Maliac,[2899] the Pagasitic,[2900] the Thermæan,[2901] the
Toronæan,[2902] the Singitic,[2903] and the Strymonic. [2904] The
promontories are these: Posidium,[2905] situated between the Maliac and
Pegasitic Gulfs; next in order, towards the north, Sepias;[2906] then
Canastrum[2907] in Pallene; then Derris;[2908] next Nymphæum[2909] in
Athos, on the Singitic Gulf; Acrathos,[2910] the promontory on the
Strymonic Gulf; between them is Athos, to the east of which is Lemnos.
Neapolis[2911] bounds the Strymonic Gulf towards the north. EPIT.
33. The city Acanthus, on the Singitic Gulf, is a maritime city near the
Canal of Xerxes. There are five cities in Athos; Dium, Cleonæ, Thyssos,
Olophyxis, Acrothoi, which is situated near the summit of Athos. Mount
Athos is pap-shaped, very pointed, and of very great height. Those who
live upon the summit see the sun rise three hours before it is visible
on the sea-shore. The voyage round the peninsula, from the city Acanthus
to the city Stagirus, the birth-place of Aristotle, is 400 stadia. It
has a harbour called Caprus, and a small island of the same name. Then
follow the mouths of the Strymon; then Phagres, Galepsus, and Apollonia,
all of them cities; then the mouth of the Nestus, which is the boundary
of Macedonia and Thrace, as settled, in their own times, by Philip and
Alexander his son. There are about the Strymonic Gulf other cities also,
as Myrcinus, Argilus, Drabescus, and Datum, which has an excellent and
most productive soil, dockyards for ship-building, and gold mines;
whence the proverb, “A Datum of good things,” like to the proverb,
“Piles of plenty. ”[2912] EPIT.
34. There are numerous gold mines among the Crenides, where the city of
Philip now stands, near Mount Pangæus. Pangæus itself, and the country
on the east of the Strymon, and on the west as far as Pæonia, contains
gold and silver mines. Particles of gold, it is said, are found in
Pæonia in ploughing the land. EPIT.
35. Mount Athos is pap-shaped, and so lofty that the husbandmen on the
summit are already weary of their labour, the sun having long since
risen to them, when to the inhabitants of the shore it is the beginning
of cockcrowing. Thamyris, the Thracian, was king of this coast, and
followed the same practices as Orpheus. Here also, at Acanthus, is seen
the canal, which Xerxes is said to have made, and through which he is
said to have brought the sea from the Strymonic Gulf, across the
isthmus. Demetrius of Skepsis is of opinion that this canal was not
navigable; for, says he, the ground is composed of deep earth, and
admits of being dug for a distance of 10 stadia only: the canal is a
plethrum in width; then follows a high, broad, and flat rock, nearly a
stadium in length, which prevents excavation throughout the whole
distance to the sea. And even if the work could be carried on so far
across, yet it could not be continued to a sufficient depth, so as to
present a navigable passage. Here Alexarchus, the son of Antipater,
built the city Uranopolis, 30 stadia in circumference.
This peninsula was inhabited by Pelasgi from Lemnos; they were
distributed into five small cities, Cleonæ, Olophyxis, Acrothoi, Dium,
Thyssos. After Athos comes the Strymonic Gulf, extending to the river
Nestus, which forms the boundary of Macedonia, as settled by Philip and
Alexander. Accurately speaking, there is a promontory forming a gulf
with Athos, on which is the city Apollonia. First in the gulf, after the
harbour of Acanthus, is Stagira, now deserted: it was one of the
Chalcidic cities, and the birth-place of Aristotle. Caprus was the
harbour, and there is a small island of the same name. Then comes the
Strymon, and Amphipolis, at the distance of 20 stadia up the river. In
this part is situated an Athenian colony, called Ennea-Odoi (the
Nine-Ways). Then Galepsus and Apollonia, which were destroyed by Philip.
E.
36. He says, it is 120 stadia (300? ) from the Peneus to Pydna. On the
sea-coast of the Strymon and of the Dateni is Neapolis, and Datum also,
which has fruitful plains, a lake, rivers, dockyards, and valuable gold
mines. Hence the proverb, “A Datum of good things,” like “Piles of
plenty. ” The country beyond the Strymon, which borders upon the sea and
includes the parts about Datum, is occupied by Odomantes, Edoni, and
Bisaltæ, some of whom are an indigenous people, the others came from
Macedonia and were under the government of Rhesus. Above Amphipolis live
the Bisaltæ, extending to the city Heraclea (Sintica); they occupy a
fertile valley, through which passes the Strymon, which rises among the
Agrianes near Rhodope. Near the Agrianes is situated Parorbelia of
Macedonia. In the interior, in a valley, which commences at Idomene, are
situated Callipolis, Orthopolis, Philippopolis, and Garescus. Among the
Bisaltæ, proceeding up the river Strymon, is situated Berga, a village,
distant from Amphipolis about 200 stadia. Proceeding northwards from
Heraclea, and to the narrows, through which the Strymon flows, keeping
the river on the right, first on the left are Pæonia and the parts about
Dobera; then on the right are the mountains Hæmus and Rhodope, with the
adjacent parts. On this side of the Strymon, close upon the river, is
Scotussa; near the lake Bolbe is Arethusa; the inhabitants above the
lake are chiefly Mygdones. Not only is the course of the Axius through
Pæonia, but that of the Strymon also; for it rises among the Agrianes,
passes through the territory of the Mædi and Sinti, and discharges
itself between the Bisaltæ and Odomantes. E.
37. The source of the river Strymon is among the Agrianes near Rhodope.
EPIT.
38. The Pæonians, according to some, were a dependent colony of the
Phrygians; according to others, they were an independent settlement.
Pæonia, it is said, extended to Pelagonia and Pieria; Pelagonia is said
to have been formerly called Orestia; and Asteropæus, one of the chiefs
from Pæonia who went to Troy, to have been called, with great
probability, the son of Pelagon, and the Pæonians themselves to have
been called Pelagones. E.
39. The Asteropæus in Homer, son of Pelegon, we are told, was of Pæonia
in Macedonia: whence “Son of Pelegon;” for the Pæonians were called
Pelagones. EPIT.
40. As the _pæanismus_, or singing of the Thracian Pæan, was called
_titanismus_ by the Greeks, in imitation of a well-known note in the
pæan, so the Pelagones were called Titanes. E.
41. Anciently, as at present, the Pæonians appear to have been masters
of so much of what is now called Macedonia as to be able to besiege
Perinthus, and subject to their power Crestonia, the whole of Mygdonia,
and the territory of the Agrianes as far as Mount Pangæus. Above the
sea-coast of the Strymonic Gulf, extending from Galepsus to Nestus, are
situated Philippi and the surrounding country. Philippi was formerly
called Crenides; it was a small settlement, but increased after the
defeat of Brutus and Cassius. E.
43. [2913] The present city Philippi was anciently called Crenides. EPIT.
44. In front of this coast lie two islands, Lemnos and Thasos. Beyond
the strait at Thasos is Abdera, with its fables. It was inhabited by
Bistones, over whom ruled Diomed. The Nestus does not always keep within
its banks, but frequently inundates the country. Then Dicæa, a city on
the gulf, with a harbour. Above it is the lake Bistonis, 200 stadia in
circumference. They say that Hercules, when he came to seize upon the
horses of Diomed, cut a canal through the sea-shore and turned the water
of the sea upon the plain, which is situated in a hollow, and is lower
than the level of the sea, and thus vanquished his opponents. The royal
residence of Diomed is shown, called, from a local peculiarity, its
natural strength, Cartera-Come [Strong-Village]. Beyond the inland lake
are Xanthia, Maronia, and Ismarus, cities of the Cicones. Ismarus is now
called Ismara-near-Maronia. Near it is the outlet of the lake Ismaris.
The stream is called sweet * * * * * * At this place are what are called
the heads of the Thasii. The Sapæi are situated above. E.
45. Topeira is situated near Abdera and Maronia. E.
46. The Sinti, a Thracian tribe, inhabit the island of Lemnos; whence
Homer calls them Sinties, thus, “There are the Sinties. ” EPIT.
47. After the river Nestus to the west is the city Abdera, named after
Abderus, who was eaten by the horses of Diomed; then, near, Dicæa, a
city, above which is situated a large lake, the Bistonis; then the city
Maronia. EPIT.
48. The whole of Thrace is composed of twenty-two nations. Although
greatly exhausted, it is capable of equipping 15,000 cavalry and 20,000
infantry. After Maronia are Orthagoria, a city, and the district of
Serrium (the navigation along the coast is difficult); the small city
Tempyra belonging to the Samothracians, and another Caracoma, (the
Stockade,) in front of which lies the island Samothrace. Imbros is at no
great distance from Samothrace; Thasos is double the distance from it.
After Caracoma is Doriscus, where Xerxes counted the number of his army.
Then the Hebrus, with a navigation up the stream for 100 stadia to
Cypsela. Strabo says that this was the boundary of Macedonia when
wrested by the Romans, first from Perseus, and afterwards from
Pseudophilip. Paulus, who overthrew Perseus, united the Epirotic nations
to Macedonia, and divided the country into four parts; one he assigned
to Amphipolis, a second to Thessalonica, a third to Pella, and a fourth
to Pelagonia. Along the Hebrus dwell the Corpili, the Brenæ still higher
up, above them, and lastly the Bessi, for the Hebrus is navigable up to
this point. All these nations are addicted to plunder, particularly the
Bessi, whom, he says, border upon the Odrysæ and Sapæi. Bizya is the
capital of the Astæ (? ). Some give the name of Odrysæ to all those
people who live on the mountains overhanging the coast, from the Hebrus
and Cypsela to Odessus. They were under the kingly government of
Amadocus, Khersobleptes, Berisades, Seuthes, (Theseus? ) and Cotys. E.
49. The river in Thrace now called Rhiginia (Rhegina? ) was formerly
called Erigon (Erginus? ). EPIT.
50. Samothrace was inhabited by the brothers Jasion and Dardanus. Jasion
was killed by lightning, for his crime against Ceres; Dardanus moved
away from Samothrace, and built a city, to which he gave the name of
Dardania, at the foot of Mount Ida. He taught the Trojans the
Samothracian mysteries. Samothrace was formerly called Samos. EPIT.
51. The gods worshipped in Samothrace, the Curbantes and Corybantes, the
Curetes and the Idæan Dactyli, are said by many persons to be the same
as the Cabiri, although they are unable to explain who the Cabiri were.
E.
52. At the mouth of the Hebrus, which discharges itself by two channels,
in the Gulf of Melas, is a city Ænos, founded by the Mitylenæans and
Cumæans; its first founders, however, were Alopeconnesi; then the
promontory Sarpedon; then the Chersonesus, called the Thracian
Chersonesus, forming the Propontis, the Gulf of Melas, and the
Hellespont. It stretches forwards to the south-east, like a promontory,
bringing Europe and Asia together, with only a strait between them of 7
stadia in width, the Strait of Sestos and Abydos. On the left is the
Propontis, on the right the Gulf Melas,[2914] so called from the river
Melas,[2915] which discharges itself into it, according to Herodotus and
Eudoxus. It is stated (says Strabo) by Herodotus, that the stream of
this river was not sufficient to supply the army of Xerxes. The above
promontory is closed in by an isthmus 40 stadia across. In the middle of
the isthmus is situated the city Lysimachia, named after king
Lysimachus, its founder. On one side of the isthmus, on the Gulf Melas,
lies Cardia; its first founders were Milesians and Clazomenæans, its
second founders Athenians. It is the largest of the cities in the
Chersonesus. Pactya is on the Propontis. After Cardia are Drabus and
Limnæ; then Alopeconnesus, where the Gulf Melas principally ends; then
the great promontory Mazusia; then, in the gulf, Eleus, where is
Protesilaum, from whence Sigeum, a promontory of Troas, is 40 stadia
distant; this is about the most southern extremity of the Chersonesus,
distant from Cardia rather more than 400 stadia; if the circuit is made
by sea to the other side of the isthmus, the distance is a little
greater. E.
53. The Thracian Chersonesus forms three seas, the Propontis to the
north, the Hellespont to the east, and the Gulf Melas to the south,
where the river Melas, of the same name as the gulf, discharges itself.
EPIT.
54. In the isthmus of the Chersonesus are three cities, Cardia on the
Gulf of Melas, Pactya on the Propontis, Lysimachia in the interior; the
breadth of the isthmus is 40 stadia. EPIT.
55. The name of the city Eleus is of the masculine gender, perhaps that
of Trapezus is also masculine. EPIT.
56. In the voyage round of which we have been speaking; beyond Eleus,
first, is the entrance into the Propontis through the straits, where
they say the Hellespont begins. There is a promontory here by some
called Dog’s Monument, by others the Monument of Hecuba, for on doubling
the promontory, the place of her burial is to be seen. Then Madytus and
the promontory of Sestos, where was the Bridge of Xerxes; after these
places comes Sestos. From Eleus to the Bridge it is 170 stadia; after
Sestos it is 280 stadia to Ægospotamos: it is a small city in ruins. At
this place a stone is said to have fallen from heaven during the Persian
war. Then Callipolis, from whence to Lampsacus in Asia is a passage
across of 40 stadia; then a small city Crithote in ruins; then Pactya;
next Macron-Tichos, and Leuce-Acte, and Hieron-Oros, and Perinthus, a
colony of the Samians; then Selybria. Above these places is situated
Silta. Sacred rites are performed in honour of Hieron-Oros by the
natives, which is as it were the citadel of the country. It discharges
asphaltus into the sea. Proconnesus here approaches nearest the
continent, being 120 stadia distant; there is a quarry of white marble
in it, which is plentiful and of good quality; after Selybria the rivers
Athyras and [Bathynias]; then Byzantium and the parts reaching to the
Cyanean rocks. E.
57. From Perinthus to Byzantium it is 630 stadia; from the Hebrus and
Cypseli to Byzantium and the Cyanean rocks it is, according to
Artemidorus, 3100 stadia. The whole distance from Apollonia on the
Ionian Gulf to Byzantium is 7320 stadia; Polybius makes this distance
180 stadia more, by the addition of a third of a stadium to the sum of 8
stadia, which compose a mile. Demetrius of Skepsis, in his account of
the disposition of the Trojan forces, says that it is 700 stadia from
Perinthus to Byzantium, and the same distance to Parium. He makes the
length of the Propontis to be 1400 and the breadth 500 stadia; the
narrowest part also of the Hellespont to be 7 stadia, and the length
400. E.
58. All writers do not agree in their description of the Hellespont, and
many opinions are advanced on the subject.
Some describe the Propontis
to be the Hellespont; others, that part of the Propontis which is to the
south of Perinthus; others include a part of the exterior sea which
opens to the Ægæan and the Gulf Melas, each assigning different limits.
Some make their measurement from Sigeum to Lampsacus, and Cyzicus, and
Parium, and Priapus; and one is to be found who measures from Singrium,
a promontory of Lesbos. Some do not hesitate to give the name of
Hellespont to the whole distance as far as the Myrtoan Sea, because (as
in the Odes of Pindar) when Hercules sailed from Troy through the
virgin strait of Hella, and arrived at the Myrtoan Sea, he returned back
to Cos, in consequence of the wind Zephyrus blowing contrary to his
course. Thus some consider it correct to apply the name Hellespont to
the whole of the Ægæan Sea, and the sea along the coast of Thessaly and
Macedonia, invoking the testimony of Homer, who says,
“Thou shalt see, if such thy will, in spring,
My ships shall sail to Hellespont. ”
But the argument is contradicted in the following lines,
“Piros, Imbracius’ son, who came from Ænos. ”
Piros commanded the Thracians,
“Whose limits are the quick-flowing Hellespont. ”
So that he would consider all people settled next to the Thracians as
excluded from the Hellespont. For Ænos is situated in the district
formerly called Apsynthis, but now Corpilice. The territory of the
Cicones is next towards the west. E.
THE
GEOGRAPHY
OF
STRABO.
LITERALLY TRANSLATED, WITH NOTES.
THE FIRST SIX BOOKS
BY H. C. HAMILTON, ESQ.
THE REMAINDER
BY W. FALCONER, M. A. ,
LATE FELLOW OF EXETER COLLEGE, OXFORD.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
MDCCCLVI.
JOHN CHILDS AND SON, BUNGAY.
STRABO’S GEOGRAPHY.
BOOK VIII.
EUROPE CONTINUED. --GREECE.
SUMMARY.
The remaining parts of Macedonia are considered, and the whole
of Greece; on this the author dwells some time on account of
the great reputation of the country. He corrects minutely, and
clears up, the confused and vague accounts respecting the
cities contained therein, given by poets and historians, and
especially in the Catalogue and in many other parts of the
Poem.
CHAPTER I.
1. After having described as much of the western parts of Europe as is
comprised within the interior and exterior seas, and surveyed all the
barbarous nations which it contains, as far as the Don[1] and a small
part of Greece, [namely, Macedonia,][2] we propose to give an account of
the remainder of the Helladic geography. Homer was the first writer on
the subject of geography, and was followed by many others, some of whom
composed particular treatises, and entitled them “Harbours,” “Voyages,”
“Circuits of the Earth,”[3] or gave them some name of this kind, and
these comprised the description of the Helladic country. Some, as
Ephorus and Polybius, included in their general history a separate
topography of the continents; others, as Posidonius and Hipparchus,
introduced matter relating to geography in their writings on physical
and mathematical subjects.
It is easy to form an opinion of the other writers, but the poems of
Homer require critical consideration, both because he speaks as a poet,
and because he describes things not as [CAS. 333] they exist at present,
but as they existed anciently, and the greater part of which have been
rendered obscure by time.
We must however undertake this inquiry as far as we are able, beginning
from the point where our description ended.
It ended with an account of the Epirotic and Illyrian nations on the
west and north, and of Macedonia as far as Byzantium on the east.
After the Epirotæ and Illyrii follow the Acarnanes,[4] the Ætoli, the
Locri-Ozolæ, then the Phocæenses and Bœoti, Grecian nations. Opposite to
these on the other side of the strait is Peloponnesus, which comprises
the Gulf of Corinth,[5] interposed between, and determining the figure
of the latter, from which it also receives its own. Next to Macedonia[6]
are the Thessalians,[7] extending as far as the Malienses,[8] and the
other nations, situated on both sides of the isthmus.
2. There are many Greek tribes, but the chief people are equal in number
to the Greek dialects with which we are acquainted, namely, four. Of
these, the Ionic is the same as the ancient Attic; (for Iones was the
former name of the inhabitants of Attica; from thence came the Iones who
settled in Asia,[9] and use the dialect now called Ionic;) the Doric was
the same as the Æolic dialect, for all the people on the other side of
the isthmus except the Athenians, the Megareans, and the Dorians about
Parnassus, are even now called Æolians; it is probable that the Dorians,
from their being a small nation, and occupying a most rugged country,
and from want of intercourse [with the Æolians], no longer resemble that
people either in language or customs, and, although of the same race,
have lost all appearance of affinity. It was the same with the
Athenians, who inhabiting a rugged country with a light soil, escaped
the ravages of invaders. As they always occupied the same territory, and
no enemy attempted to expel them, nor had any desire to take possession
of it themselves, on this account they were, according to Thucydides,
regarded as Autochthones, or an indigenous race. This was probably the
reason, although they were a small nation, why they remained a distinct
people with a distinct dialect.
It was not in the parts only on the other side of the isthmus, that the
Æolian nation was powerful, but those on this side also were formerly
Æolians. They were afterwards intermixed first with Ionians who came
from Attica, and got possession of Ægialus,[10] and secondly with
Dorians, who under the conduct of the Heracleidæ founded Megara and many
of the cities in the Peloponnesus. The Iones were soon expelled by the
Achæi, an Æolian tribe; and there remained in Peloponnesus the two
nations, the Æolic and the Doric. Those nations then that had little
intercourse with the Dorians used the Æolian dialect. (This was the case
with the Arcadians and Eleians, the former of whom were altogether a
mountain tribe, and did not share in the partition of the Peloponnesus;
the latter were considered as dedicated to the service of the Olympian
Jupiter, and lived for a long period in peace, principally because they
were of Æolian descent, and had admitted into their country the army of
Oxylus, about the time of the return of the Heracleidæ. [11]) The rest
used a kind of dialect composed of both, some of them having more,
others less, of the Æolic dialect. Even at present the inhabitants of
different cities use different dialects, but all seem to Dorize, or use
the Doric dialect, on account of the ascendency of that nation.
Such then is the number of the Grecian nations, and thus in general are
they distinguished from each other.
I shall resume my account of them, and describe each nation in their
proper order.
3. According to Ephorus, Acarnania is the commencement of Greece on the
west, for it is the first country which lies contiguous to the Epirotic
nations. As this author follows the coast in his measurements, and
begins from thence, considering the sea the most important guide of
topographical description, (for otherwise he might have placed the
beginning of Greece in Macedonia and Thessaly,) so ought I, observing
[CAS. 334] the natural character of places, to keep in view the sea as
a mark by which I should direct the course of my description.
The sea coming from Sicily spreads itself on one side towards the
Corinthian Gulf, and on the other forms a large peninsula, the
Peloponnesus, united to the mainland by a narrow isthmus.
The two largest bodies of country in Greece are that within the isthmus,
and that without the isthmus, [extending to the mouths of the river
Peneius]. That within the isthmus is however larger, and more
celebrated. The Peloponnesus is, as it were, the acropolis or citadel of
all Greece; and all Greece in a manner holds the chief or leading
position in Europe. For independently of the fame and power of the
nations which inhabited it, the position itself of the places in it
suggests this superiority. One site succeeds another diversified with
numerous most remarkable bays, and large peninsulas. The first of these
peninsulas is the Peloponnesus, closed in by an isthmus of forty stadia
in extent. The second comprehends the first, and has an isthmus reaching
from Pagæ in Megaris to Nisæa, which is the naval arsenal of the
Megareans; the passage across the isthmus from sea to sea is 120 stadia.
The third peninsula also comprises the latter. Its isthmus extends from
the farthest recess of the Crissæan Gulf to Thermopylæ. The line
supposed to be drawn between these is about 508 stadia in length,
including within it the whole of Bœotia, and cutting Phocis and the
country of the Epicnemidii obliquely. The fourth peninsula has the
isthmus extending from the Ambracian Gulf through Mount Œta and
Traclinia to the Maliac Gulf and Thermopylæ, about 800 stadia.
There is another isthmus of more than 1000 stadia reaching from the same
Gulf of Ambracia, and passing through the country of the Thessalians and
Macedonians to the recess of the Thermæan Gulf.
The succession of peninsulas furnishes a convenient order to be followed
in describing the country.
We must begin from the smallest, as being also the most famous of these
peninsulas. [12]
CHAPTER II.
1. The Peloponnesus resembles in figure the leaf of a plane tree. [13]
Its length and breadth are nearly equal, each about 1400 stadia. The
former is reckoned from west to east, that is, from the promontory
Chelonatas through Olympia and the territory Megalopolitis to the
isthmus; the latter from south to north, or from Maliæ through Arcadia to
Ægium.
The circumference, according to Polybius, exclusive of the circuit of
the bays, is 4000 stadia. Artemidorus however adds to this 400 stadia,
and if we include the measure of the bays, it exceeds 5600 stadia. We
have already said that the isthmus at the road where they draw vessels
over-land from one sea to the other is 40 stadia across.
2. Eleians and Messenians occupy the western side of this peninsula.
Their territory is washed by the Sicilian Sea. They possess the coast
also on each side. Elis bends towards the north and the commencement of
the Corinthian Gulf as far as the promontory Araxus,[14] opposite to
which across the strait is Acarnania; the islands Zacynthus,[15]
Cephallenia,[16] Ithaca,[17] and the Echinades, to which belongs
Dulichium, lie in front of it. The greater part of Messenia is open to
the south and to the Libyan Sea as far as the islands Thyrides near
Tænarum. [18]
Next to Elis, is the nation of the Achæi looking towards the north, and
stretching along the Corinthian Gulf they terminate at Sicyonia. Then
follow Sicyon[19] and Corinth, extending as far as the isthmus. Next
after Messenia are [CAS. 335] Laconia and Argeia, which latter country
also reaches as far as the isthmus.
The bays of the Peloponnesus are the Messeniac,[20] the Laconian,[21] a
third the Argolic,[22] and a fourth the Hermionic,[23] or the
Saronic,[24] which some writers call the Salaminiac bay. Some of these
bays are supplied by the Libyan, others by the Cretan and Myrtoan Seas.
Some call even the Saronic Gulf a sea. In the middle of Peloponnesus is
Arcadia, lying contiguous to all the other nations.
3. The Corinthian Gulf begins from the mouths of the Evenus,[25] (some
say from the mouths of the Achelous,[26] which is the boundary between
the Acarnanes and Ætoli,) and from the promontory Araxus. For there the
shores on both sides first begin to contract, and have a considerable
inclination towards each other; as they advance farther onwards they
nearly meet at Rhium[27] and Antirrhium,[28] leaving a channel of only
about 5 stadia between them.
Rhium is a promontory of Achaia, it is low, and bends inwards like a
sickle, (indeed it has the name of Drepanum, or the Sickle,) and lies
between Patræ[29] and Ægium,[30] on it there is a temple of Neptune.
Antirrhium is situated on the confines of Ætolia and Locris. It is
called Rhium Molycrium. From this point the sea-shore again parts in a
moderate degree on each side, and advancing into the Crissæan Gulf,
terminates there, being shut in by the western boundaries of Bœotia and
Megaris.
The Corinthian Gulf is 2230 stadia in circuit from the river Evenus to
the promontory Araxus; and if we reckon from the Achelous, it would be
increased by about 100 stadia.
The tract from the Achelous to the Evenus is occupied by Acarnanians;
next are the Ætoli, reaching to the Cape Antirrhium. The remainder of
the country, as far as the isthmus, is occupied by Phocis, Bœotia, and
by Megaris, it extends 1118 stadia.
The sea from Cape Antirrhium as far as the isthmus is [the Crissæan
Gulf, but from the city Creusa it is called the Sea of] Alcyonis, and is
a portion of the Crissæan Gulf. [31]
From the isthmus to the promontory Araxus is a distance of 1030 stadia.
Such in general then is the nature and extent of the Peloponnesus, and
of the country on the other side of the strait up to the farther recess
of the gulf. Such also is the nature of the gulf between both.
We shall next describe each country in particular, beginning with Elis.
CHAPTER III.
1. At present the whole sea-coast lying between the Achæi and Messenii
is called Eleia, it stretches into the inland parts towards Arcadia at
Pholoe, and the Azanes, and Parrhasii. Anciently it was divided into
several states; afterwards into two, Elis of the Epeii, and Elis under
Nestor, the son of Neleus. As Homer says, who mentions Elis of the Epeii
by name,
“Sacred Elis, where the Epeii rule. ”[32]
The other he calls Pylus subject to Nestor, through which, he says, the
Alpheius flows:
“Alpheius, that flows in a straight line through the land
of the Pylians. ”[33]
The poet was also acquainted with a city Pylus;
“They arrived at Pylus, the well-built city of Neleus. ”[34]
The Alpheius however does not flow through nor beside the city, but
another river flows beside it, which some call Pamisus, others Amathus,
from which Pylus seems to be termed Emathöeis, but the Alpheius flows
through the Eleian territory.
2. Elis, the present city, was not yet founded in the time of Homer, but
the inhabitants of the country lived in villages. It was called Cœle [or
Hollow] Elis, from the accident of its locality, for the largest and
best part of it is situated in a hollow. It was at a late period, and
after the Persian war, that the people collected together out of many
demi, or [CAS. 337] burghs, into one city. And, with the exception of a
few, the other places in the Peloponnesus which the poet enumerates are
not to be called cities, but districts. Each contained several
assemblages of demi or burghs, out of which the famous cities were
afterwards formed, as Mantineia in Arcadia, which was furnished with
inhabitants from five burghs by Argives; Tegea from nine; Heræa from as
many during the reign of Cleombrotus, or Cleonymus; Ægium out of seven,
or eight; Patræ out of seven; Dyme out of eight; thus Elis also was
formed out of the surrounding burghs. The demus of the Agriades was one
of those added to it. The Peneius[35] flows through the city by the
Gymnasium, which the Eleii constructed long after the countries which
were subject to Nestor had passed into their possession.
3. These were the Pisatis, of which Olympia is a part, and Triphylia,
and the territory of the Caucones. The Triphylii had their name from the
accident of the union of three tribes; of the Epeii, the original
inhabitants; of the Minyæ, who afterwards settled there; and last of all
of the Eleii, who made themselves masters of the country. Instead of the
Minyæ some writers substitute Arcadians, who had frequently disputed the
possession of the territory, whence Pylus had the epithet Arcadian as
well as Triphylian. Homer calls all this tract as far as Messene by the
name of Pylus, the name of the city. The names of the chiefs, and of
their abodes in the Catalogue of the Ships, show that Cœle Elis, or the
Hollow Elis, was distinct from the country subject to Nestor.
I say this on comparing the present places with Homer’s description of
them, for we must compare one with the other in consideration of the
fame of the poet, and our being bred up in an acquaintance with his
writings; and every one will conclude that our present inquiry is
rightly conducted, if nothing is found repugnant to his accounts of
places, which have been received with the fullest reliance on their
credibility and his veracity.
We must describe these places as they exist at present, and as they are
represented by the poet, comparing them together as far as is required
by the design of this work.
4. The Araxus is a promontory of Eleia situated on the north, 60 stadia
from Dyme, an Achæan city. This promontory we consider the commencement
of the coast of Eleia. Proceeding thence towards the west is
Cyllene,[36] the naval arsenal of the Eleii, from whence is an ascent of
120 stadia to the present city. This Cyllene Homer mentions in these
words,
“Cyllenian Otus, chief of the Epeii,”
for he would not have given the title of chief of Epeii to one who came
from the Arcadian mountain of this name. It is a village of moderate
size, in which is preserved the Æsculapius of Colotes, a statue of
ivory, of admirable workmanship.
Next to Cyllene is the promontory Chelonatas,[37] the most westerly
point of the Peloponnesus. In front of it there is a small island and
shoals on the confines of Hollow Elis, and the territory of the Pisatæ.
From hence [Cyllene] to Cephallenia is a voyage of not more than 80
stadia. Somewhere on the above-mentioned confines is the river Elisson,
or Elissa.
5. Between the Chelonatas and Cyllene the river Peneius empties itself,
and that also called by the poet Selleïs, which flows from the mountain
Pholoe. On this river is situated Ephyra, a city to be distinguished
from the Thesprotian, Thessalian, and Corinthian Ephyras; being a fourth
city of this name, situated on the road leading to the Lasion sea-coast,
and which may be either the same place as Bœonoa, (for it is the custom
to call Œnoe by this name,) or a city near this, distant from Elis 120
stadia. This Ephyra seems to be the reputed birth-place of Astyochea,
the mother of Tlepolemus, the son of Hercules,
“Whom Hercules brought from Ephyra, from the river Selleis;”[38]
(for this was the principal scene of the adventures of Hercules; at the
other places called Ephyra, there is no river Selleis;) hence came the
armour of Meges,
“Which Phyleus formerly brought from Ephyra, from the river
Selleis;”[39]
from this Ephyra came also mortal poisons. For Minerva says, that
Ulysses went to Ephyra
“In search of a mortal poison wherewith to anoint his arrows. ”[40]
And the suitors say of Telemachus;
“Or he will go to the rich country of Ephyra to bring back poison
destructive of our lives. ”[41]
[CAS. 338] And Nestor introduces the daughter of Augeas, king of the
Epeii, in his account of the war with that people, as one who
administered poisons:
“I first slew a man,[42] Mulius, a brave soldier. He was son-in-law of
Augeas; he had married his eldest daughter; she was acquainted with
all the poisons which the earth brings forth. ”
There is also near Sicyon a river, Selleis, and a village of the name of
Ephyra near it; and a village Ephyra in the territory of Agræa in
Ætolia, the people of which are called Ephyri. There are also other
Ephyri among the Perrhæbi near Macedonia, who are Crannonians,[43] and
the Thesprotic Ephyri of Cichyrus, which was formerly called Ephyra.
6. Apollodorus, when he informs us in what manner the poet usually
distinguishes places with the same names, as Orchomenus for instance,
designating that in Arcadia by the epithet, “abounding with sheep;” the
Bœotian Orchomenus, as “Minyeïus;” by applying to Samos the term
Thracian, and adds,
“Between Samos and Imbros,”[44]
to distinguish it from Ionian Samos; so he says the Thesprotic Ephyra is
distinguished from others by the words, “at a distance,” and “from the
river Selleis. ” This does not agree with what Demetrius of Scepsis says,
from whom he borrows most of his information. For Demetrius does not say
that there is a river Selleis in Thesprotia, but in Elis, near the
Thesprotic Ephyra, as I have said before.
What he says also about Œchalia requires examination, where he asserts
that the city of Eurytus of Œchalia is the only city, when there is more
than one city of that name. It is therefore evident that he means the
Thessalian city mentioned by Homer:
“And they who occupied Œchalia, the city of Eurytus,
the Œchalian. ”[45]
What city, then, is that on the road from which “Thamyris the Thracian
was met by the Muses, and deprived of the power of song,” for he says,
“Coming from Œchalia, from the dwelling of Eurytus,
the Œchalian. ”[46]
If this were the city in Thessaly, the Scepsian is mistaken in
mentioning some city in Arcadia, which is now called Andania. If he is
not mistaken, still the Arcadian Œchalia is said to be the city of
Eurytus, so that there is not one city only of that name, although
Apollodorus asserts that there is but one.
7. There existed between the mouths of the Peneius and the Selleis near
Scollis, a Pylus, not the city of Nestor, but another of that name,
having nothing in common with that on the Alpheius, nor even with that
on the Pamisus, or, if we must so call it, the Amathus. Some writers,
through their solicitude for the fame and noble descent of Nestor, give
a forced meaning to these words. Since there are three places in
Peloponnesus of the name of Pylus, (whence the saying originated,
“There is a Pylus in front of Pylus, and still there is
another Pylus,”)
namely, this and the Lepreatic Pylus in Triphylia, and a third, the
Messeniac near Coryphasium,[47] the advocates for each place endeavour
to show that the river in his own country is (Emathois) ἠμαθόεις,
or sandy, and declare that to be the country of Nestor.
The greater number of other writers, both historians and poets, say,
that Nestor was a Messenian, assigning as his birth-place the Pylus,
which continued to exist to their times. Those, however, who adhere to
Homer and follow his poem as their guide, say, that the Pylus of Nestor
is where the territory is traversed by the Alpheius. Now this river
passes through the Pisatis and Triphylia. The inhabitants of the Hollow
Elis were emulous of the same honour respecting the Pylus in their own
country, and point out distinctive marks, as a place called Gerenus, and
a river Geron, and another river Geranius, and endeavour to confirm this
opinion by pretending that Nestor had the epithet Gerenius from these
places.
The Messenians argue in the very same manner, but [CAS. 340] apparently
with more probability on their side. For they say, that in their
territory there is a place better known, called Gerena, and once well
inhabited.
Such then is the present state of the Hollow Elis. [48]
8. The poet however, after having divided the country into four parts,
and mentioned the four chiefs, does not clearly express himself, when he
says:
“those who inhabit Buprasium and the sacred Elis, all whom
Hyrminē and Myrsinus, situated at the extremity of the
territory and the Olenian rock, and Aleisium contain, these
were led by four chiefs; ten swift vessels accompanied each,
and multitudes of Epeii were embarked in them. ”[49]
For, by applying the name Epeii to both people, the Buprasians and the
Eleii, and by never applying the name Eleii to the Buprasians, he may
seem to divide, not Eleia, but the country of the Epeii, into four
parts, which he had before divided into two; nor would Buprasium then be
a part of Elis, but rather of the country of the Epeii. For that he
terms the Buprasians Epeii, is evident from these words:
“As when the Epeii were burying King Amarynces at
Buprasium. ”[50]
Again, by enumerating together “Buprasium and sacred Elis,” and then by
making a fourfold division, he seems to arrange these very four
divisions in common under both Buprasium and Elis.
Buprasium, it is probable, was a considerable settlement in Eleia, which
does not exist at present. But the territory only has this name, which
lies on the road to Dyme from Elis the present city. It might be
supposed that Buprasium had at that time some superiority over Elis, as
the Epeii had over the Eleii, but afterwards they had the name of Eleii
instead of Epeii.
Buprasium then was a part of Elis, and they say, that Homer, by a
poetical figure, speaks of the whole and of the part together, as in
these lines:
“through Greece and the middle of Argos;”[51] “through Greece
and Phthia;”[52] “the Curetes and the Ætoli were fighting;”[53]
“those from Dulichium and the sacred Echinades;”[54]
for Dulichium is one of the Echinades. Modern writers also use this
figure, as Hipponax,
“they eat the bread of the Cyprians and the wheat of the
Amathusii;”
for the Amathusii are Cyprians: and Alcman;
“leaving the beloved Cyprus, and Paphos, washed on all sides
by the sea:”
and Æschylus;
“possessing as your share by lot the whole of Cyprus and Paphos. ”
If Homer has not called the Buprasii by the name of Eleii, we shall
reply, nor has he mentioned many other places and things which exist.
For this is not a proof that they did not exist, but only that he has
not mentioned them.
9. But Hecatæus of Miletus says, that the Epeii are a different people
from the Eleii; that the Epeii accompanied Hercules in his expedition
against Augeas, and joined him in destroying Elis, and defeating Augeas.
He also says, that Dyme was both an Epeian and an Achæan city.
The ancient historians, accustomed from childhood to falsehood through
the tales of mythologists, speak of many things that never existed.
Hence they do not even agree with one another, in their accounts of the
same things. Not that it is improbable that the Epeii, although a
different people and at variance with the Eleii, when they had gained
the ascendency, united together, forming a common state, and their power
extended even as far as Dyme.
founded by the Corinthians, but afterwards it was called Cassandria,
from king Cassander, who restored it after it was demolished. It is a
circuit of 570 stadia round the peninsula by sea. Here giants were said
to have lived, and the region to have been called Phlegra. Some consider
this to be a mere fable, but others, with greater probability on their
side, see implied in it the existence of a barbarous and lawless race of
people who once occupied the country, but who were destroyed by Hercules
on his return home, after the capture of Troy. Here also the Trojan
women are said to have committed the destructive act of burning the
ships, to avoid becoming the slaves of their captors’ wives. E.
26. The city Berœa[2897] lies at the roots of Mount Bermius. EPIT.
27. Pallene is a peninsula. On the isthmus of Pallene lies what was once
Potidæa, but now Cassandra. It was formerly called Phlegra, and was
inhabited by the fabulous giants, an impious and lawless race, who were
destroyed by Hercules. It has upon it four cities, Aphytis, Mende,
Scione, and Sana. EPIT.
28. Olynthus is distant from Potidæa 70 stadia. E.
29. The arsenal of Olynthus is Mecyberna, on the Toronæan Gulf. EPIT.
30. Near Olynthus is a hollow tract called Cantharolethron, from an
accidental circumstance. The Cantharus, (the beetle,) which is bred in
the surrounding country, dies as soon as it touches this tract. EPIT.
31. Next after Cassandria is the remaining part of the sea-coast of the
Toronæan Gulf, as far as Derris. It is a promontory opposite the
district of Canastrum, and forms a gulf. Opposite to Derris, to the
east, are the promontories of Athos; between them is the Singitic Gulf,
which receives its name from an ancient city in it, Singus, now
destroyed. Next is the city Acanthus, situated on the isthmus of
Athos,[2898] founded by the Andrii; whence, by many, it is called the
Acanthian Gulf. E.
32. Opposite to Canastrum, a promontory of Pallene, is the promontory
Derris, near Cophus-Limen [or Deaf Harbour]: these form the boundaries
of the Toronæan Gulf. Again, towards the east lies the promontory of
Athos, [Nymphæum,] which bounds the Singitic Gulf. Then follow one
another the gulfs of the Ægean Sea, towards the north, in this order:
the Maliac,[2899] the Pagasitic,[2900] the Thermæan,[2901] the
Toronæan,[2902] the Singitic,[2903] and the Strymonic. [2904] The
promontories are these: Posidium,[2905] situated between the Maliac and
Pegasitic Gulfs; next in order, towards the north, Sepias;[2906] then
Canastrum[2907] in Pallene; then Derris;[2908] next Nymphæum[2909] in
Athos, on the Singitic Gulf; Acrathos,[2910] the promontory on the
Strymonic Gulf; between them is Athos, to the east of which is Lemnos.
Neapolis[2911] bounds the Strymonic Gulf towards the north. EPIT.
33. The city Acanthus, on the Singitic Gulf, is a maritime city near the
Canal of Xerxes. There are five cities in Athos; Dium, Cleonæ, Thyssos,
Olophyxis, Acrothoi, which is situated near the summit of Athos. Mount
Athos is pap-shaped, very pointed, and of very great height. Those who
live upon the summit see the sun rise three hours before it is visible
on the sea-shore. The voyage round the peninsula, from the city Acanthus
to the city Stagirus, the birth-place of Aristotle, is 400 stadia. It
has a harbour called Caprus, and a small island of the same name. Then
follow the mouths of the Strymon; then Phagres, Galepsus, and Apollonia,
all of them cities; then the mouth of the Nestus, which is the boundary
of Macedonia and Thrace, as settled, in their own times, by Philip and
Alexander his son. There are about the Strymonic Gulf other cities also,
as Myrcinus, Argilus, Drabescus, and Datum, which has an excellent and
most productive soil, dockyards for ship-building, and gold mines;
whence the proverb, “A Datum of good things,” like to the proverb,
“Piles of plenty. ”[2912] EPIT.
34. There are numerous gold mines among the Crenides, where the city of
Philip now stands, near Mount Pangæus. Pangæus itself, and the country
on the east of the Strymon, and on the west as far as Pæonia, contains
gold and silver mines. Particles of gold, it is said, are found in
Pæonia in ploughing the land. EPIT.
35. Mount Athos is pap-shaped, and so lofty that the husbandmen on the
summit are already weary of their labour, the sun having long since
risen to them, when to the inhabitants of the shore it is the beginning
of cockcrowing. Thamyris, the Thracian, was king of this coast, and
followed the same practices as Orpheus. Here also, at Acanthus, is seen
the canal, which Xerxes is said to have made, and through which he is
said to have brought the sea from the Strymonic Gulf, across the
isthmus. Demetrius of Skepsis is of opinion that this canal was not
navigable; for, says he, the ground is composed of deep earth, and
admits of being dug for a distance of 10 stadia only: the canal is a
plethrum in width; then follows a high, broad, and flat rock, nearly a
stadium in length, which prevents excavation throughout the whole
distance to the sea. And even if the work could be carried on so far
across, yet it could not be continued to a sufficient depth, so as to
present a navigable passage. Here Alexarchus, the son of Antipater,
built the city Uranopolis, 30 stadia in circumference.
This peninsula was inhabited by Pelasgi from Lemnos; they were
distributed into five small cities, Cleonæ, Olophyxis, Acrothoi, Dium,
Thyssos. After Athos comes the Strymonic Gulf, extending to the river
Nestus, which forms the boundary of Macedonia, as settled by Philip and
Alexander. Accurately speaking, there is a promontory forming a gulf
with Athos, on which is the city Apollonia. First in the gulf, after the
harbour of Acanthus, is Stagira, now deserted: it was one of the
Chalcidic cities, and the birth-place of Aristotle. Caprus was the
harbour, and there is a small island of the same name. Then comes the
Strymon, and Amphipolis, at the distance of 20 stadia up the river. In
this part is situated an Athenian colony, called Ennea-Odoi (the
Nine-Ways). Then Galepsus and Apollonia, which were destroyed by Philip.
E.
36. He says, it is 120 stadia (300? ) from the Peneus to Pydna. On the
sea-coast of the Strymon and of the Dateni is Neapolis, and Datum also,
which has fruitful plains, a lake, rivers, dockyards, and valuable gold
mines. Hence the proverb, “A Datum of good things,” like “Piles of
plenty. ” The country beyond the Strymon, which borders upon the sea and
includes the parts about Datum, is occupied by Odomantes, Edoni, and
Bisaltæ, some of whom are an indigenous people, the others came from
Macedonia and were under the government of Rhesus. Above Amphipolis live
the Bisaltæ, extending to the city Heraclea (Sintica); they occupy a
fertile valley, through which passes the Strymon, which rises among the
Agrianes near Rhodope. Near the Agrianes is situated Parorbelia of
Macedonia. In the interior, in a valley, which commences at Idomene, are
situated Callipolis, Orthopolis, Philippopolis, and Garescus. Among the
Bisaltæ, proceeding up the river Strymon, is situated Berga, a village,
distant from Amphipolis about 200 stadia. Proceeding northwards from
Heraclea, and to the narrows, through which the Strymon flows, keeping
the river on the right, first on the left are Pæonia and the parts about
Dobera; then on the right are the mountains Hæmus and Rhodope, with the
adjacent parts. On this side of the Strymon, close upon the river, is
Scotussa; near the lake Bolbe is Arethusa; the inhabitants above the
lake are chiefly Mygdones. Not only is the course of the Axius through
Pæonia, but that of the Strymon also; for it rises among the Agrianes,
passes through the territory of the Mædi and Sinti, and discharges
itself between the Bisaltæ and Odomantes. E.
37. The source of the river Strymon is among the Agrianes near Rhodope.
EPIT.
38. The Pæonians, according to some, were a dependent colony of the
Phrygians; according to others, they were an independent settlement.
Pæonia, it is said, extended to Pelagonia and Pieria; Pelagonia is said
to have been formerly called Orestia; and Asteropæus, one of the chiefs
from Pæonia who went to Troy, to have been called, with great
probability, the son of Pelagon, and the Pæonians themselves to have
been called Pelagones. E.
39. The Asteropæus in Homer, son of Pelegon, we are told, was of Pæonia
in Macedonia: whence “Son of Pelegon;” for the Pæonians were called
Pelagones. EPIT.
40. As the _pæanismus_, or singing of the Thracian Pæan, was called
_titanismus_ by the Greeks, in imitation of a well-known note in the
pæan, so the Pelagones were called Titanes. E.
41. Anciently, as at present, the Pæonians appear to have been masters
of so much of what is now called Macedonia as to be able to besiege
Perinthus, and subject to their power Crestonia, the whole of Mygdonia,
and the territory of the Agrianes as far as Mount Pangæus. Above the
sea-coast of the Strymonic Gulf, extending from Galepsus to Nestus, are
situated Philippi and the surrounding country. Philippi was formerly
called Crenides; it was a small settlement, but increased after the
defeat of Brutus and Cassius. E.
43. [2913] The present city Philippi was anciently called Crenides. EPIT.
44. In front of this coast lie two islands, Lemnos and Thasos. Beyond
the strait at Thasos is Abdera, with its fables. It was inhabited by
Bistones, over whom ruled Diomed. The Nestus does not always keep within
its banks, but frequently inundates the country. Then Dicæa, a city on
the gulf, with a harbour. Above it is the lake Bistonis, 200 stadia in
circumference. They say that Hercules, when he came to seize upon the
horses of Diomed, cut a canal through the sea-shore and turned the water
of the sea upon the plain, which is situated in a hollow, and is lower
than the level of the sea, and thus vanquished his opponents. The royal
residence of Diomed is shown, called, from a local peculiarity, its
natural strength, Cartera-Come [Strong-Village]. Beyond the inland lake
are Xanthia, Maronia, and Ismarus, cities of the Cicones. Ismarus is now
called Ismara-near-Maronia. Near it is the outlet of the lake Ismaris.
The stream is called sweet * * * * * * At this place are what are called
the heads of the Thasii. The Sapæi are situated above. E.
45. Topeira is situated near Abdera and Maronia. E.
46. The Sinti, a Thracian tribe, inhabit the island of Lemnos; whence
Homer calls them Sinties, thus, “There are the Sinties. ” EPIT.
47. After the river Nestus to the west is the city Abdera, named after
Abderus, who was eaten by the horses of Diomed; then, near, Dicæa, a
city, above which is situated a large lake, the Bistonis; then the city
Maronia. EPIT.
48. The whole of Thrace is composed of twenty-two nations. Although
greatly exhausted, it is capable of equipping 15,000 cavalry and 20,000
infantry. After Maronia are Orthagoria, a city, and the district of
Serrium (the navigation along the coast is difficult); the small city
Tempyra belonging to the Samothracians, and another Caracoma, (the
Stockade,) in front of which lies the island Samothrace. Imbros is at no
great distance from Samothrace; Thasos is double the distance from it.
After Caracoma is Doriscus, where Xerxes counted the number of his army.
Then the Hebrus, with a navigation up the stream for 100 stadia to
Cypsela. Strabo says that this was the boundary of Macedonia when
wrested by the Romans, first from Perseus, and afterwards from
Pseudophilip. Paulus, who overthrew Perseus, united the Epirotic nations
to Macedonia, and divided the country into four parts; one he assigned
to Amphipolis, a second to Thessalonica, a third to Pella, and a fourth
to Pelagonia. Along the Hebrus dwell the Corpili, the Brenæ still higher
up, above them, and lastly the Bessi, for the Hebrus is navigable up to
this point. All these nations are addicted to plunder, particularly the
Bessi, whom, he says, border upon the Odrysæ and Sapæi. Bizya is the
capital of the Astæ (? ). Some give the name of Odrysæ to all those
people who live on the mountains overhanging the coast, from the Hebrus
and Cypsela to Odessus. They were under the kingly government of
Amadocus, Khersobleptes, Berisades, Seuthes, (Theseus? ) and Cotys. E.
49. The river in Thrace now called Rhiginia (Rhegina? ) was formerly
called Erigon (Erginus? ). EPIT.
50. Samothrace was inhabited by the brothers Jasion and Dardanus. Jasion
was killed by lightning, for his crime against Ceres; Dardanus moved
away from Samothrace, and built a city, to which he gave the name of
Dardania, at the foot of Mount Ida. He taught the Trojans the
Samothracian mysteries. Samothrace was formerly called Samos. EPIT.
51. The gods worshipped in Samothrace, the Curbantes and Corybantes, the
Curetes and the Idæan Dactyli, are said by many persons to be the same
as the Cabiri, although they are unable to explain who the Cabiri were.
E.
52. At the mouth of the Hebrus, which discharges itself by two channels,
in the Gulf of Melas, is a city Ænos, founded by the Mitylenæans and
Cumæans; its first founders, however, were Alopeconnesi; then the
promontory Sarpedon; then the Chersonesus, called the Thracian
Chersonesus, forming the Propontis, the Gulf of Melas, and the
Hellespont. It stretches forwards to the south-east, like a promontory,
bringing Europe and Asia together, with only a strait between them of 7
stadia in width, the Strait of Sestos and Abydos. On the left is the
Propontis, on the right the Gulf Melas,[2914] so called from the river
Melas,[2915] which discharges itself into it, according to Herodotus and
Eudoxus. It is stated (says Strabo) by Herodotus, that the stream of
this river was not sufficient to supply the army of Xerxes. The above
promontory is closed in by an isthmus 40 stadia across. In the middle of
the isthmus is situated the city Lysimachia, named after king
Lysimachus, its founder. On one side of the isthmus, on the Gulf Melas,
lies Cardia; its first founders were Milesians and Clazomenæans, its
second founders Athenians. It is the largest of the cities in the
Chersonesus. Pactya is on the Propontis. After Cardia are Drabus and
Limnæ; then Alopeconnesus, where the Gulf Melas principally ends; then
the great promontory Mazusia; then, in the gulf, Eleus, where is
Protesilaum, from whence Sigeum, a promontory of Troas, is 40 stadia
distant; this is about the most southern extremity of the Chersonesus,
distant from Cardia rather more than 400 stadia; if the circuit is made
by sea to the other side of the isthmus, the distance is a little
greater. E.
53. The Thracian Chersonesus forms three seas, the Propontis to the
north, the Hellespont to the east, and the Gulf Melas to the south,
where the river Melas, of the same name as the gulf, discharges itself.
EPIT.
54. In the isthmus of the Chersonesus are three cities, Cardia on the
Gulf of Melas, Pactya on the Propontis, Lysimachia in the interior; the
breadth of the isthmus is 40 stadia. EPIT.
55. The name of the city Eleus is of the masculine gender, perhaps that
of Trapezus is also masculine. EPIT.
56. In the voyage round of which we have been speaking; beyond Eleus,
first, is the entrance into the Propontis through the straits, where
they say the Hellespont begins. There is a promontory here by some
called Dog’s Monument, by others the Monument of Hecuba, for on doubling
the promontory, the place of her burial is to be seen. Then Madytus and
the promontory of Sestos, where was the Bridge of Xerxes; after these
places comes Sestos. From Eleus to the Bridge it is 170 stadia; after
Sestos it is 280 stadia to Ægospotamos: it is a small city in ruins. At
this place a stone is said to have fallen from heaven during the Persian
war. Then Callipolis, from whence to Lampsacus in Asia is a passage
across of 40 stadia; then a small city Crithote in ruins; then Pactya;
next Macron-Tichos, and Leuce-Acte, and Hieron-Oros, and Perinthus, a
colony of the Samians; then Selybria. Above these places is situated
Silta. Sacred rites are performed in honour of Hieron-Oros by the
natives, which is as it were the citadel of the country. It discharges
asphaltus into the sea. Proconnesus here approaches nearest the
continent, being 120 stadia distant; there is a quarry of white marble
in it, which is plentiful and of good quality; after Selybria the rivers
Athyras and [Bathynias]; then Byzantium and the parts reaching to the
Cyanean rocks. E.
57. From Perinthus to Byzantium it is 630 stadia; from the Hebrus and
Cypseli to Byzantium and the Cyanean rocks it is, according to
Artemidorus, 3100 stadia. The whole distance from Apollonia on the
Ionian Gulf to Byzantium is 7320 stadia; Polybius makes this distance
180 stadia more, by the addition of a third of a stadium to the sum of 8
stadia, which compose a mile. Demetrius of Skepsis, in his account of
the disposition of the Trojan forces, says that it is 700 stadia from
Perinthus to Byzantium, and the same distance to Parium. He makes the
length of the Propontis to be 1400 and the breadth 500 stadia; the
narrowest part also of the Hellespont to be 7 stadia, and the length
400. E.
58. All writers do not agree in their description of the Hellespont, and
many opinions are advanced on the subject.
Some describe the Propontis
to be the Hellespont; others, that part of the Propontis which is to the
south of Perinthus; others include a part of the exterior sea which
opens to the Ægæan and the Gulf Melas, each assigning different limits.
Some make their measurement from Sigeum to Lampsacus, and Cyzicus, and
Parium, and Priapus; and one is to be found who measures from Singrium,
a promontory of Lesbos. Some do not hesitate to give the name of
Hellespont to the whole distance as far as the Myrtoan Sea, because (as
in the Odes of Pindar) when Hercules sailed from Troy through the
virgin strait of Hella, and arrived at the Myrtoan Sea, he returned back
to Cos, in consequence of the wind Zephyrus blowing contrary to his
course. Thus some consider it correct to apply the name Hellespont to
the whole of the Ægæan Sea, and the sea along the coast of Thessaly and
Macedonia, invoking the testimony of Homer, who says,
“Thou shalt see, if such thy will, in spring,
My ships shall sail to Hellespont. ”
But the argument is contradicted in the following lines,
“Piros, Imbracius’ son, who came from Ænos. ”
Piros commanded the Thracians,
“Whose limits are the quick-flowing Hellespont. ”
So that he would consider all people settled next to the Thracians as
excluded from the Hellespont. For Ænos is situated in the district
formerly called Apsynthis, but now Corpilice. The territory of the
Cicones is next towards the west. E.
THE
GEOGRAPHY
OF
STRABO.
LITERALLY TRANSLATED, WITH NOTES.
THE FIRST SIX BOOKS
BY H. C. HAMILTON, ESQ.
THE REMAINDER
BY W. FALCONER, M. A. ,
LATE FELLOW OF EXETER COLLEGE, OXFORD.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
MDCCCLVI.
JOHN CHILDS AND SON, BUNGAY.
STRABO’S GEOGRAPHY.
BOOK VIII.
EUROPE CONTINUED. --GREECE.
SUMMARY.
The remaining parts of Macedonia are considered, and the whole
of Greece; on this the author dwells some time on account of
the great reputation of the country. He corrects minutely, and
clears up, the confused and vague accounts respecting the
cities contained therein, given by poets and historians, and
especially in the Catalogue and in many other parts of the
Poem.
CHAPTER I.
1. After having described as much of the western parts of Europe as is
comprised within the interior and exterior seas, and surveyed all the
barbarous nations which it contains, as far as the Don[1] and a small
part of Greece, [namely, Macedonia,][2] we propose to give an account of
the remainder of the Helladic geography. Homer was the first writer on
the subject of geography, and was followed by many others, some of whom
composed particular treatises, and entitled them “Harbours,” “Voyages,”
“Circuits of the Earth,”[3] or gave them some name of this kind, and
these comprised the description of the Helladic country. Some, as
Ephorus and Polybius, included in their general history a separate
topography of the continents; others, as Posidonius and Hipparchus,
introduced matter relating to geography in their writings on physical
and mathematical subjects.
It is easy to form an opinion of the other writers, but the poems of
Homer require critical consideration, both because he speaks as a poet,
and because he describes things not as [CAS. 333] they exist at present,
but as they existed anciently, and the greater part of which have been
rendered obscure by time.
We must however undertake this inquiry as far as we are able, beginning
from the point where our description ended.
It ended with an account of the Epirotic and Illyrian nations on the
west and north, and of Macedonia as far as Byzantium on the east.
After the Epirotæ and Illyrii follow the Acarnanes,[4] the Ætoli, the
Locri-Ozolæ, then the Phocæenses and Bœoti, Grecian nations. Opposite to
these on the other side of the strait is Peloponnesus, which comprises
the Gulf of Corinth,[5] interposed between, and determining the figure
of the latter, from which it also receives its own. Next to Macedonia[6]
are the Thessalians,[7] extending as far as the Malienses,[8] and the
other nations, situated on both sides of the isthmus.
2. There are many Greek tribes, but the chief people are equal in number
to the Greek dialects with which we are acquainted, namely, four. Of
these, the Ionic is the same as the ancient Attic; (for Iones was the
former name of the inhabitants of Attica; from thence came the Iones who
settled in Asia,[9] and use the dialect now called Ionic;) the Doric was
the same as the Æolic dialect, for all the people on the other side of
the isthmus except the Athenians, the Megareans, and the Dorians about
Parnassus, are even now called Æolians; it is probable that the Dorians,
from their being a small nation, and occupying a most rugged country,
and from want of intercourse [with the Æolians], no longer resemble that
people either in language or customs, and, although of the same race,
have lost all appearance of affinity. It was the same with the
Athenians, who inhabiting a rugged country with a light soil, escaped
the ravages of invaders. As they always occupied the same territory, and
no enemy attempted to expel them, nor had any desire to take possession
of it themselves, on this account they were, according to Thucydides,
regarded as Autochthones, or an indigenous race. This was probably the
reason, although they were a small nation, why they remained a distinct
people with a distinct dialect.
It was not in the parts only on the other side of the isthmus, that the
Æolian nation was powerful, but those on this side also were formerly
Æolians. They were afterwards intermixed first with Ionians who came
from Attica, and got possession of Ægialus,[10] and secondly with
Dorians, who under the conduct of the Heracleidæ founded Megara and many
of the cities in the Peloponnesus. The Iones were soon expelled by the
Achæi, an Æolian tribe; and there remained in Peloponnesus the two
nations, the Æolic and the Doric. Those nations then that had little
intercourse with the Dorians used the Æolian dialect. (This was the case
with the Arcadians and Eleians, the former of whom were altogether a
mountain tribe, and did not share in the partition of the Peloponnesus;
the latter were considered as dedicated to the service of the Olympian
Jupiter, and lived for a long period in peace, principally because they
were of Æolian descent, and had admitted into their country the army of
Oxylus, about the time of the return of the Heracleidæ. [11]) The rest
used a kind of dialect composed of both, some of them having more,
others less, of the Æolic dialect. Even at present the inhabitants of
different cities use different dialects, but all seem to Dorize, or use
the Doric dialect, on account of the ascendency of that nation.
Such then is the number of the Grecian nations, and thus in general are
they distinguished from each other.
I shall resume my account of them, and describe each nation in their
proper order.
3. According to Ephorus, Acarnania is the commencement of Greece on the
west, for it is the first country which lies contiguous to the Epirotic
nations. As this author follows the coast in his measurements, and
begins from thence, considering the sea the most important guide of
topographical description, (for otherwise he might have placed the
beginning of Greece in Macedonia and Thessaly,) so ought I, observing
[CAS. 334] the natural character of places, to keep in view the sea as
a mark by which I should direct the course of my description.
The sea coming from Sicily spreads itself on one side towards the
Corinthian Gulf, and on the other forms a large peninsula, the
Peloponnesus, united to the mainland by a narrow isthmus.
The two largest bodies of country in Greece are that within the isthmus,
and that without the isthmus, [extending to the mouths of the river
Peneius]. That within the isthmus is however larger, and more
celebrated. The Peloponnesus is, as it were, the acropolis or citadel of
all Greece; and all Greece in a manner holds the chief or leading
position in Europe. For independently of the fame and power of the
nations which inhabited it, the position itself of the places in it
suggests this superiority. One site succeeds another diversified with
numerous most remarkable bays, and large peninsulas. The first of these
peninsulas is the Peloponnesus, closed in by an isthmus of forty stadia
in extent. The second comprehends the first, and has an isthmus reaching
from Pagæ in Megaris to Nisæa, which is the naval arsenal of the
Megareans; the passage across the isthmus from sea to sea is 120 stadia.
The third peninsula also comprises the latter. Its isthmus extends from
the farthest recess of the Crissæan Gulf to Thermopylæ. The line
supposed to be drawn between these is about 508 stadia in length,
including within it the whole of Bœotia, and cutting Phocis and the
country of the Epicnemidii obliquely. The fourth peninsula has the
isthmus extending from the Ambracian Gulf through Mount Œta and
Traclinia to the Maliac Gulf and Thermopylæ, about 800 stadia.
There is another isthmus of more than 1000 stadia reaching from the same
Gulf of Ambracia, and passing through the country of the Thessalians and
Macedonians to the recess of the Thermæan Gulf.
The succession of peninsulas furnishes a convenient order to be followed
in describing the country.
We must begin from the smallest, as being also the most famous of these
peninsulas. [12]
CHAPTER II.
1. The Peloponnesus resembles in figure the leaf of a plane tree. [13]
Its length and breadth are nearly equal, each about 1400 stadia. The
former is reckoned from west to east, that is, from the promontory
Chelonatas through Olympia and the territory Megalopolitis to the
isthmus; the latter from south to north, or from Maliæ through Arcadia to
Ægium.
The circumference, according to Polybius, exclusive of the circuit of
the bays, is 4000 stadia. Artemidorus however adds to this 400 stadia,
and if we include the measure of the bays, it exceeds 5600 stadia. We
have already said that the isthmus at the road where they draw vessels
over-land from one sea to the other is 40 stadia across.
2. Eleians and Messenians occupy the western side of this peninsula.
Their territory is washed by the Sicilian Sea. They possess the coast
also on each side. Elis bends towards the north and the commencement of
the Corinthian Gulf as far as the promontory Araxus,[14] opposite to
which across the strait is Acarnania; the islands Zacynthus,[15]
Cephallenia,[16] Ithaca,[17] and the Echinades, to which belongs
Dulichium, lie in front of it. The greater part of Messenia is open to
the south and to the Libyan Sea as far as the islands Thyrides near
Tænarum. [18]
Next to Elis, is the nation of the Achæi looking towards the north, and
stretching along the Corinthian Gulf they terminate at Sicyonia. Then
follow Sicyon[19] and Corinth, extending as far as the isthmus. Next
after Messenia are [CAS. 335] Laconia and Argeia, which latter country
also reaches as far as the isthmus.
The bays of the Peloponnesus are the Messeniac,[20] the Laconian,[21] a
third the Argolic,[22] and a fourth the Hermionic,[23] or the
Saronic,[24] which some writers call the Salaminiac bay. Some of these
bays are supplied by the Libyan, others by the Cretan and Myrtoan Seas.
Some call even the Saronic Gulf a sea. In the middle of Peloponnesus is
Arcadia, lying contiguous to all the other nations.
3. The Corinthian Gulf begins from the mouths of the Evenus,[25] (some
say from the mouths of the Achelous,[26] which is the boundary between
the Acarnanes and Ætoli,) and from the promontory Araxus. For there the
shores on both sides first begin to contract, and have a considerable
inclination towards each other; as they advance farther onwards they
nearly meet at Rhium[27] and Antirrhium,[28] leaving a channel of only
about 5 stadia between them.
Rhium is a promontory of Achaia, it is low, and bends inwards like a
sickle, (indeed it has the name of Drepanum, or the Sickle,) and lies
between Patræ[29] and Ægium,[30] on it there is a temple of Neptune.
Antirrhium is situated on the confines of Ætolia and Locris. It is
called Rhium Molycrium. From this point the sea-shore again parts in a
moderate degree on each side, and advancing into the Crissæan Gulf,
terminates there, being shut in by the western boundaries of Bœotia and
Megaris.
The Corinthian Gulf is 2230 stadia in circuit from the river Evenus to
the promontory Araxus; and if we reckon from the Achelous, it would be
increased by about 100 stadia.
The tract from the Achelous to the Evenus is occupied by Acarnanians;
next are the Ætoli, reaching to the Cape Antirrhium. The remainder of
the country, as far as the isthmus, is occupied by Phocis, Bœotia, and
by Megaris, it extends 1118 stadia.
The sea from Cape Antirrhium as far as the isthmus is [the Crissæan
Gulf, but from the city Creusa it is called the Sea of] Alcyonis, and is
a portion of the Crissæan Gulf. [31]
From the isthmus to the promontory Araxus is a distance of 1030 stadia.
Such in general then is the nature and extent of the Peloponnesus, and
of the country on the other side of the strait up to the farther recess
of the gulf. Such also is the nature of the gulf between both.
We shall next describe each country in particular, beginning with Elis.
CHAPTER III.
1. At present the whole sea-coast lying between the Achæi and Messenii
is called Eleia, it stretches into the inland parts towards Arcadia at
Pholoe, and the Azanes, and Parrhasii. Anciently it was divided into
several states; afterwards into two, Elis of the Epeii, and Elis under
Nestor, the son of Neleus. As Homer says, who mentions Elis of the Epeii
by name,
“Sacred Elis, where the Epeii rule. ”[32]
The other he calls Pylus subject to Nestor, through which, he says, the
Alpheius flows:
“Alpheius, that flows in a straight line through the land
of the Pylians. ”[33]
The poet was also acquainted with a city Pylus;
“They arrived at Pylus, the well-built city of Neleus. ”[34]
The Alpheius however does not flow through nor beside the city, but
another river flows beside it, which some call Pamisus, others Amathus,
from which Pylus seems to be termed Emathöeis, but the Alpheius flows
through the Eleian territory.
2. Elis, the present city, was not yet founded in the time of Homer, but
the inhabitants of the country lived in villages. It was called Cœle [or
Hollow] Elis, from the accident of its locality, for the largest and
best part of it is situated in a hollow. It was at a late period, and
after the Persian war, that the people collected together out of many
demi, or [CAS. 337] burghs, into one city. And, with the exception of a
few, the other places in the Peloponnesus which the poet enumerates are
not to be called cities, but districts. Each contained several
assemblages of demi or burghs, out of which the famous cities were
afterwards formed, as Mantineia in Arcadia, which was furnished with
inhabitants from five burghs by Argives; Tegea from nine; Heræa from as
many during the reign of Cleombrotus, or Cleonymus; Ægium out of seven,
or eight; Patræ out of seven; Dyme out of eight; thus Elis also was
formed out of the surrounding burghs. The demus of the Agriades was one
of those added to it. The Peneius[35] flows through the city by the
Gymnasium, which the Eleii constructed long after the countries which
were subject to Nestor had passed into their possession.
3. These were the Pisatis, of which Olympia is a part, and Triphylia,
and the territory of the Caucones. The Triphylii had their name from the
accident of the union of three tribes; of the Epeii, the original
inhabitants; of the Minyæ, who afterwards settled there; and last of all
of the Eleii, who made themselves masters of the country. Instead of the
Minyæ some writers substitute Arcadians, who had frequently disputed the
possession of the territory, whence Pylus had the epithet Arcadian as
well as Triphylian. Homer calls all this tract as far as Messene by the
name of Pylus, the name of the city. The names of the chiefs, and of
their abodes in the Catalogue of the Ships, show that Cœle Elis, or the
Hollow Elis, was distinct from the country subject to Nestor.
I say this on comparing the present places with Homer’s description of
them, for we must compare one with the other in consideration of the
fame of the poet, and our being bred up in an acquaintance with his
writings; and every one will conclude that our present inquiry is
rightly conducted, if nothing is found repugnant to his accounts of
places, which have been received with the fullest reliance on their
credibility and his veracity.
We must describe these places as they exist at present, and as they are
represented by the poet, comparing them together as far as is required
by the design of this work.
4. The Araxus is a promontory of Eleia situated on the north, 60 stadia
from Dyme, an Achæan city. This promontory we consider the commencement
of the coast of Eleia. Proceeding thence towards the west is
Cyllene,[36] the naval arsenal of the Eleii, from whence is an ascent of
120 stadia to the present city. This Cyllene Homer mentions in these
words,
“Cyllenian Otus, chief of the Epeii,”
for he would not have given the title of chief of Epeii to one who came
from the Arcadian mountain of this name. It is a village of moderate
size, in which is preserved the Æsculapius of Colotes, a statue of
ivory, of admirable workmanship.
Next to Cyllene is the promontory Chelonatas,[37] the most westerly
point of the Peloponnesus. In front of it there is a small island and
shoals on the confines of Hollow Elis, and the territory of the Pisatæ.
From hence [Cyllene] to Cephallenia is a voyage of not more than 80
stadia. Somewhere on the above-mentioned confines is the river Elisson,
or Elissa.
5. Between the Chelonatas and Cyllene the river Peneius empties itself,
and that also called by the poet Selleïs, which flows from the mountain
Pholoe. On this river is situated Ephyra, a city to be distinguished
from the Thesprotian, Thessalian, and Corinthian Ephyras; being a fourth
city of this name, situated on the road leading to the Lasion sea-coast,
and which may be either the same place as Bœonoa, (for it is the custom
to call Œnoe by this name,) or a city near this, distant from Elis 120
stadia. This Ephyra seems to be the reputed birth-place of Astyochea,
the mother of Tlepolemus, the son of Hercules,
“Whom Hercules brought from Ephyra, from the river Selleis;”[38]
(for this was the principal scene of the adventures of Hercules; at the
other places called Ephyra, there is no river Selleis;) hence came the
armour of Meges,
“Which Phyleus formerly brought from Ephyra, from the river
Selleis;”[39]
from this Ephyra came also mortal poisons. For Minerva says, that
Ulysses went to Ephyra
“In search of a mortal poison wherewith to anoint his arrows. ”[40]
And the suitors say of Telemachus;
“Or he will go to the rich country of Ephyra to bring back poison
destructive of our lives. ”[41]
[CAS. 338] And Nestor introduces the daughter of Augeas, king of the
Epeii, in his account of the war with that people, as one who
administered poisons:
“I first slew a man,[42] Mulius, a brave soldier. He was son-in-law of
Augeas; he had married his eldest daughter; she was acquainted with
all the poisons which the earth brings forth. ”
There is also near Sicyon a river, Selleis, and a village of the name of
Ephyra near it; and a village Ephyra in the territory of Agræa in
Ætolia, the people of which are called Ephyri. There are also other
Ephyri among the Perrhæbi near Macedonia, who are Crannonians,[43] and
the Thesprotic Ephyri of Cichyrus, which was formerly called Ephyra.
6. Apollodorus, when he informs us in what manner the poet usually
distinguishes places with the same names, as Orchomenus for instance,
designating that in Arcadia by the epithet, “abounding with sheep;” the
Bœotian Orchomenus, as “Minyeïus;” by applying to Samos the term
Thracian, and adds,
“Between Samos and Imbros,”[44]
to distinguish it from Ionian Samos; so he says the Thesprotic Ephyra is
distinguished from others by the words, “at a distance,” and “from the
river Selleis. ” This does not agree with what Demetrius of Scepsis says,
from whom he borrows most of his information. For Demetrius does not say
that there is a river Selleis in Thesprotia, but in Elis, near the
Thesprotic Ephyra, as I have said before.
What he says also about Œchalia requires examination, where he asserts
that the city of Eurytus of Œchalia is the only city, when there is more
than one city of that name. It is therefore evident that he means the
Thessalian city mentioned by Homer:
“And they who occupied Œchalia, the city of Eurytus,
the Œchalian. ”[45]
What city, then, is that on the road from which “Thamyris the Thracian
was met by the Muses, and deprived of the power of song,” for he says,
“Coming from Œchalia, from the dwelling of Eurytus,
the Œchalian. ”[46]
If this were the city in Thessaly, the Scepsian is mistaken in
mentioning some city in Arcadia, which is now called Andania. If he is
not mistaken, still the Arcadian Œchalia is said to be the city of
Eurytus, so that there is not one city only of that name, although
Apollodorus asserts that there is but one.
7. There existed between the mouths of the Peneius and the Selleis near
Scollis, a Pylus, not the city of Nestor, but another of that name,
having nothing in common with that on the Alpheius, nor even with that
on the Pamisus, or, if we must so call it, the Amathus. Some writers,
through their solicitude for the fame and noble descent of Nestor, give
a forced meaning to these words. Since there are three places in
Peloponnesus of the name of Pylus, (whence the saying originated,
“There is a Pylus in front of Pylus, and still there is
another Pylus,”)
namely, this and the Lepreatic Pylus in Triphylia, and a third, the
Messeniac near Coryphasium,[47] the advocates for each place endeavour
to show that the river in his own country is (Emathois) ἠμαθόεις,
or sandy, and declare that to be the country of Nestor.
The greater number of other writers, both historians and poets, say,
that Nestor was a Messenian, assigning as his birth-place the Pylus,
which continued to exist to their times. Those, however, who adhere to
Homer and follow his poem as their guide, say, that the Pylus of Nestor
is where the territory is traversed by the Alpheius. Now this river
passes through the Pisatis and Triphylia. The inhabitants of the Hollow
Elis were emulous of the same honour respecting the Pylus in their own
country, and point out distinctive marks, as a place called Gerenus, and
a river Geron, and another river Geranius, and endeavour to confirm this
opinion by pretending that Nestor had the epithet Gerenius from these
places.
The Messenians argue in the very same manner, but [CAS. 340] apparently
with more probability on their side. For they say, that in their
territory there is a place better known, called Gerena, and once well
inhabited.
Such then is the present state of the Hollow Elis. [48]
8. The poet however, after having divided the country into four parts,
and mentioned the four chiefs, does not clearly express himself, when he
says:
“those who inhabit Buprasium and the sacred Elis, all whom
Hyrminē and Myrsinus, situated at the extremity of the
territory and the Olenian rock, and Aleisium contain, these
were led by four chiefs; ten swift vessels accompanied each,
and multitudes of Epeii were embarked in them. ”[49]
For, by applying the name Epeii to both people, the Buprasians and the
Eleii, and by never applying the name Eleii to the Buprasians, he may
seem to divide, not Eleia, but the country of the Epeii, into four
parts, which he had before divided into two; nor would Buprasium then be
a part of Elis, but rather of the country of the Epeii. For that he
terms the Buprasians Epeii, is evident from these words:
“As when the Epeii were burying King Amarynces at
Buprasium. ”[50]
Again, by enumerating together “Buprasium and sacred Elis,” and then by
making a fourfold division, he seems to arrange these very four
divisions in common under both Buprasium and Elis.
Buprasium, it is probable, was a considerable settlement in Eleia, which
does not exist at present. But the territory only has this name, which
lies on the road to Dyme from Elis the present city. It might be
supposed that Buprasium had at that time some superiority over Elis, as
the Epeii had over the Eleii, but afterwards they had the name of Eleii
instead of Epeii.
Buprasium then was a part of Elis, and they say, that Homer, by a
poetical figure, speaks of the whole and of the part together, as in
these lines:
“through Greece and the middle of Argos;”[51] “through Greece
and Phthia;”[52] “the Curetes and the Ætoli were fighting;”[53]
“those from Dulichium and the sacred Echinades;”[54]
for Dulichium is one of the Echinades. Modern writers also use this
figure, as Hipponax,
“they eat the bread of the Cyprians and the wheat of the
Amathusii;”
for the Amathusii are Cyprians: and Alcman;
“leaving the beloved Cyprus, and Paphos, washed on all sides
by the sea:”
and Æschylus;
“possessing as your share by lot the whole of Cyprus and Paphos. ”
If Homer has not called the Buprasii by the name of Eleii, we shall
reply, nor has he mentioned many other places and things which exist.
For this is not a proof that they did not exist, but only that he has
not mentioned them.
9. But Hecatæus of Miletus says, that the Epeii are a different people
from the Eleii; that the Epeii accompanied Hercules in his expedition
against Augeas, and joined him in destroying Elis, and defeating Augeas.
He also says, that Dyme was both an Epeian and an Achæan city.
The ancient historians, accustomed from childhood to falsehood through
the tales of mythologists, speak of many things that never existed.
Hence they do not even agree with one another, in their accounts of the
same things. Not that it is improbable that the Epeii, although a
different people and at variance with the Eleii, when they had gained
the ascendency, united together, forming a common state, and their power
extended even as far as Dyme.
