With these people are intermixed Illyrian nations, some of whom are
situated on the southern part of the mountainous district, and others
above the Ionian Gulf.
situated on the southern part of the mountainous district, and others
above the Ionian Gulf.
Strabo
They inhabit the inland parts of the country, and we shall
mention them again in another place.
8. After the bay of Rhizon[2785] is Lissus,[2786] a city,
Acrolissus,[2787] and Epidamnus, the present Dyrrhachium,[2788] founded
by Corcyræans, and bearing the name of the peninsula on which it [CAS.
316] is situated. Then follow the rivers Apsus[2789] and the Aous,[2790]
on the banks of which is situated Apollonia,[2791] a city governed by
excellent laws. It was founded by Corinthians and Corcyræans, and is
distant from the river 10, and from the sea 60, stadia. Hecatæus calls
the Aous, Aïas, and says that from the same place, or rather from the
same sources about Lacmus,[2792] the Inachus flows southward, to
Argos,[2793] and the Aïas westward, into the Adriatic.
In the territory of the Apolloniatæ there is what is called a Nymphæum.
It is a rock which emits fire. Below it are springs flowing with hot
water and asphaltus. The earth containing the asphaltus is probably in a
state of combustion. The asphaltus is dug out of a neighbouring hill;
the parts excavated are replaced by fresh earth, which after a time are
converted into asphaltus. This account is given by Posidonius, who says
also, that the ampelitis, an asphaltic earth found in the Pierian
Seleucia,[2794] is a remedy for the lice which infest the vine. If the
vine is smeared with this earth mixed with oil, the insects are killed
before they ascend from the root to the branches. This earth, but it
required for use a larger quantity of oil, he says was found at Rhodes
also, while he held there the office of Prytanes.
Next to Apollonia is Bylliace (Bullis) and Oricum,[2795] with its naval
arsenal, Panormus, and the Ceraunian mountains, which form the
commencement of the entrance of the Ionian and Adriatic Gulfs.
9. The mouth is common to both; but this difference is to be observed,
that the name Ionian[2796] is applied to the first part of the gulf
only, and Adriatic to the interior sea up to the farthest end, but the
name Adriatic is now applied to the whole sea. According to Theopompus,
the name Ionian was derived from a chief (Ionius) of that country, a
native of Issa; and the name Adriatic from a river, Adrias. [2797]
From the Liburni to the Ceraunian mountains is a distance of a little
more than 2000 stadia. But Theopompus says, that it is six days’ sail
from the farthest recess of the bay, but a journey of thirty days by
land along the length of Illyria. This appears to me an exaggeration,
but he makes many incredible statements. Among other instances, he
pretends that there is a subterraneous passage between the Adriatic and
the Ægean Seas, grounding his opinion on the discovery of Chian and
Thasian pottery in the river Naron. [2798] The two seas, he says, may be
seen from some pretended mountain. He describes the Liburnian islands as
occupying a position so extensive as to form a circle of 500 stadia.
According to him, the Danube discharges itself by one of its mouths into
the Adriatic. [2799] Similar mistakes are to be found in Eratosthenes,
which Polybius, when speaking of him and other writers, describes as
having their origin in vulgar error. [2800]
10. On the coast of Illyria, along its whole extent, and in the
neighbouring islands, there are numerous excellent harbours, contrary to
what occurs on the opposite Italian coast, where there are none. As in
Italy, however, the climate is warm, and the soil productive of fruits;
olives also and vines grow readily, except in some few excessively
rugged places. Although Illyria possesses these advantages, it was
formerly neglected, through ignorance, perhaps, of its fertility; but it
was principally avoided on account of the savage manners of the
inhabitants, and their piratical habits.
The region situated above the sea-coast is mountainous, cold, and at
times covered with snow. The northern part is still colder, so that
vines are rarely to be met with either in the hills or in the plains
lower down. These mountain-plains are in the possession of the
Pannonians, and extend towards the south as far as the Dalmatians and
Ardiæi. They terminate towards the north at the Ister, and approach
towards [CAS. 317] the east close to the Scordisci, who live near the
Macedonian and Thracian mountains.
11. The Autariatæ were the most populous and the bravest tribe of the
Illyrians. Formerly, there were continual disputes between them and the
Ardiæi respecting the salt which was spontaneously formed on the
confines of their respective territories, in the spring season, from
water which flows through a valley. The salt concreted five days after
the water was drawn and deposited in reservoirs. The right of collecting
salt was, by agreement, to be exercised alternately by each party, but
the compact was broken and war was the consequence. After the Autariatæ
had subdued the Triballi, a people whose territory extended a journey of
fifteen days, from the Agrianæ to the Danube, they became masters of the
Thracians and Illyrians. The Autariatæ were first conquered by the
Scordisci, and afterwards by the Romans, who overpowered the Scordisci,
for a long time a powerful nation.
12. This people inhabited the country on the banks of the Danube, and
were divided into two tribes, the Great and the Little Scordisci. [2801]
The former occupied the space between two rivers, which empty themselves
into the Danube, the Noarus,[2802] which runs beside Segestica, and the
Margus, or, as some call it, Bargus. The Little Scordisci lived beyond
this river close to the Triballi and Mysi. [2803] The Scordisci possessed
some of the islands also. They increased so much in strength and numbers
as to advance even to the Illyrian, Pæonian, and Thracian confines. Most
of the islands on the Danube fell into their hands, and they possessed
the cities Heorta and Capedunum. [2804]
Next to the territory of the Scordisci, lying along the banks of the
Danube, is the country of the Triballi and Mysi, whom we have before
mentioned; we have also spoken of the marshes[2805] of the Lesser
Scythia on this side the Danube. This nation, and the Crobyzi, and the
nation called Troglodytæ, live above the districts in which are situated
Callatis, Tomis, and Ister. [2806] Next are the people about the Mount
Hæmus, and those who live at its foot, extending as far as the Pontus,
Coralli, and Bessi, and some tribes of Mædi and of Dantheletæ. All these
nations are very much addicted to robbery. The Bessi possess far the
greatest part of Mount Hæmus, and are called Robbers from their mode of
life as freebooters. Some of them live in huts and lead a life of
hardship. They extend close to Rhodope, the Pæones, and to the Illyrian
nations; to the Autariatæ also, and the Dardanians. Between these and
the Ardiæi are the Dasaretii, Hybrianes, and other obscure nations,
whose numbers the Scordisci were continually reducing, until they had
made the country a desert, full of impassable forests, which extended
several days’ journey.
CHAPTER VI.
1. Of the country situated between the Danube and the mountains on each
side of Pæonia, there remains to be described the Pontic coast, which
reaches from the Sacred mouth of the Danube to the mountainous district
about Hæmus, and to the mouth of the Pontus at Byzantium. As in
describing the Illyrian coast we had proceeded as far as the Ceraunian
mountains, which, although they stretch beyond the mountainous district
of Illyria, yet constitute a sort of proper boundary, we determined by
means of these mountains the limits of the nations in the inland parts,
considering, that such separating lines would be better marks both for
our present and future use; so here also the coast, although it may fall
beyond the mountainous line, will still end at a proper kind of limit,
the mouth of the Pontus, which will be useful both for our present and
our future descriptions.
If we set out from the Sacred mouth of the Danube, having on the right
hand the continuous line of coast, we find at the [CAS. 319] distance of
500 stadia, Ister,[2807] a small town founded by Milesians; then
Tomis,[2808] another small town, at the distance of 250 stadia; then
Callatis,[2809] a city, a colony of the Heracleotæ, at 280 stadia; then,
at 1300 stadia, Apollonia,[2810] a colony of Milesians, having the
greater part of the buildings upon a small island, where is a temple of
Apollo, whence Marcus Lucullus took the Colossus of Apollo, the work of
Calamides, and dedicated it as a sacred offering in the Capitol. In the
intermediate distance between Callatis and Apollonia, is Bizone, a great
part of which was swallowed up by an earthquake; Cruni;[2811]
Odessus,[2812] a colony of Milesians; and Naulochus, a small town of the
Mesembriani. Next follows the mountain Hæmus,[2813] extending to the sea
in this quarter; then Mesembria,[2814] a colony of the Megarenses,
formerly called Menabria, or city of Mena, Menas being the name of the
founder, and bria,[2815] signifying in the Thracian tongue, city. Thus
the city of Selys is called Selybria, and Ænus once had the name of
Poltyobria. Then follows Anchiale,[2816] a small town of the
Apolloniatæ, and Apollonia itself.
On this coast is the promontory Tirizis, a place naturally strong, which
Lysimachus formerly used as a treasury. Again, from Apollonia to the
Cyaneæ are about 1500 stadia. In this interval are Thynias, a tract
belonging to the Apolloniatæ, Phinopolis, and Andriace,[2817] which are
contiguous to Salmydessus. This coast is without inhabitants and rocky,
without harbours, stretching far towards the north, and extending as far
as the Cyaneæ, about 700 stadia. Those who are wrecked on this coast are
plundered by the Asti, a Thracian tribe who live above it.
The Cyaneæ[2818] are two small islands at the mouth of the Pontus, one
lying near Europe, the other near Asia, and are separated by a channel
of about 20 stadia. This is the measure of the distance between the
temple of the Byzantines and the temple of the Chalcedonians, where is
the narrowest part of the mouth of the Euxine Sea. For proceeding
onwards 10 stadia there is a promontory, which reduces the strait to 5
stadia; the strait afterwards opens to a greater width, and begins to
form the Propontis.
2. From the promontory, then, that reduces the strait to 5 stadia, to
the Port under the Fig-tree, as it is called, are 35 stadia; thence to
the Horn of the Byzantines, 5 stadia. This Horn, close to the walls of
Byzantium, is a bay, extending westwards 60 stadia, and resembling a
stag’s horn, for it is divided into a great many bays, like so many
branches. The Pelamides[2819] resort to these bays, and are easily
taken, on account of their great number, and the force of the current,
which drives them together in a body; and also on account of the
narrowness of the bays, which is such that they are caught even by the
hand. These fish are bred in the marshes of the Mæotis. When they have
attained a little size and strength, they rush through the mouth in
shoals, and are carried along the Asiatic coast as far as Trapezus and
Pharnacia. It is here that the fishery begins, but it is not carried on
to any considerable extent, because the fish are not of a proper size at
this place. When they get as far as Sinope, they are in better season
for the fishery, and for the purpose of salting. But when they have
reached and passed the Cyaneæ, a white rock projects from the
Chalcedonian shore, which alarms the fish, so that they immediately turn
away to the opposite coast. There they are caught by the stream, and the
nature of the places being such as to divert the current of the sea in
that part towards Byzantium, and the Horn near it, the fish are impelled
thither in a body, and afford to the Byzantines, and to the Roman
people, a large revenue. The Chalcedonians, however, although situated
near, and on the opposite side, have no share of this supply, because
the Pelamides do not approach their harbours.
After the foundation of Chalcedon, Apollo is said to have [CAS. 320]
enjoined the founders of Byzantium, in answer to their inquiries, to
build their city opposite to the Blind, applying this name to the
Chalcedonians, who, although they were the first persons to arrive in
these parts, had omitted to take possession of the opposite side, which
afforded such great resources of wealth, and chose the barren coast.
We have continued our description to Byzantium, because this celebrated
city,[2820] by its proximity to the mouth of the Euxine Sea, forms a
better-known and more remarkable termination of an account of the coast
from the Danube than any other.
Above Byzantium is the nation of the Asti, in whose territory is the
city Calybe, which Philip the son of Amyntas made a settlement for
criminals.
CHAPTER VII.
1. These are the nations, bounded by the Danube and by the Illyrian and
Thracian mountains, which are worthy of record. They occupy the whole
coast of the Adriatic Sea, beginning from the recess of the gulf, and
the left side, as it is called, of the Euxine Sea, from the river Danube
to Byzantium.
The southern parts of the above-mentioned mountainous tract, and the
countries which follow, lying below it, remain to be described. Among
these are Greece, and the contiguous barbarous country extending to the
mountains.
Hecatæus of Miletus says of the Peloponnesus, that, before the time of
the Greeks, it was inhabited by barbarians. Perhaps even the whole of
Greece was, anciently, a settlement of barbarians, if we judge from
former accounts. For Pelops brought colonists from Phrygia into the
Peloponnesus, which took his name; Danaus[2821] brought colonists from
Egypt; Dryopes, Caucones, Pelasgi, Leleges, and other barbarous nations,
partitioned among themselves the country on this side of the
isthmus. [2822] The case was the same on the other side of the isthmus;
for Thracians, under their leader Eumolpus,[2823] took possession of
Attica; Tereus of Daulis in Phocæa; the Phœnicians, with their leader
Cadmus,[2824] occupied the Cadmeian district; Aones, and Temmices, and
Hyantes, Bœotia. Pindar says, “there was a time when the Bœotian people
were called Syes. ”[2825] Some names show their barbarous origin, as
Cecrops, Codrus, Œclus, Cothus, Drymas, and Crinacus. [2826] Thracians,
Illyrians, and Epirotæ are settled even at present on the sides of
Greece. Formerly the territory they possessed was more extensive,
although even now the barbarians possess a large part of the country,
which, without dispute, is Greece. Macedonia is occupied by Thracians,
as well as some parts of Thessaly; the country above Acarnania and
Ætolia, by Thesproti, Cassopæi, Amphilochi, Molotti, and Athamanes,
Epirotic tribes.
2. We have already spoken of the Pelasgi. [2827] Some writers conjecture
that the Leleges and Carians are the same people; others, that they were
only joint settlers, and comrades in war, because there are said to be
some settlements called Settlements of the Leleges in the Milesian
territory, and in many parts of Caria there are burial-places of the
Leleges, and deserted fortresses, called Lelegia.
The whole country called Ionia was formerly inhabited by Carians and
Leleges; these were expelled by the Ionians, who themselves took
possession of the country. In still [CAS. 322] earlier times, the
captors of Troy[2828] had driven out the Leleges from the places about
Ida near the rivers Pedasus and Satnioeis.
The fact of the association of these people with the Carians may be
regarded as a proof of their being barbarians, and Aristotle, in his
Politics, shows that they were a wandering nation, sometimes in company
with the Carians, sometimes alone, and that from ancient times; for, in
speaking of the polity of the Acarnanians, he says that the Curetes
occupied a part of the country, and the Leleges (and after them the
Teleboæ) the western side. On the subject of the Ætolian polity, he
calls the present Locri, Leleges, and observes that they occupy Bœotia.
He repeats the same remark on the subject of the polity of the Opuntians
and Megareans. In speaking of the polity of the Leucadians, he mentions
an aboriginal by name, Leleges, and a grandson by his daughter of the
name of Teleboas, and besides two and twenty of his sons of the name of
Teleboas, some of whom inhabited Lucas. But we should chiefly rely upon
Hesiod, who thus speaks of them:
“For Locrus was the leader of the nation of the Leleges, whom
Jupiter, the son of Saturn, in his infinite wisdom, once gave as
subjects to Deucalion, a people gathered from among the nations
of the earth. ”
For it seems to me to be obscurely intimated by the etymology of the
name, Leleges, that they were a mixed people anciently collected
together, which had become extinct. And this may be said of the
Caucones, who exist no where at present, yet were formerly settled in
several places.
3. Although Greece was formerly composed of small nations, many in
number, and obscure; nevertheless their valour, and their separate
government by kings, prevented any difficulty in defining their
boundaries. As the greatest part of the country, however, is at present
uninhabited, and the settlements, especially the cities, have been
destroyed, it would be of no service, even if it were possible, to
ascertain the names of cities and regions occupied by obscure and
extinct people. This destruction, which began a long time since, still
continues in many parts in consequence of rebellion. It has been checked
by the Romans, who accepted the supreme authority from the inhabitants
and lodged soldiers in their houses.
Polybius says that Paulus [Emilius], after the defeat of the
Macedonians[2829] and their king Perseus, destroyed 70 cities of the
Epirotæ (most of which belonged to the Molotti) and reduced to slavery
150,000 of the inhabitants. Still, however, I shall endeavour, as far as
it is compatible with the design of this work, to describe, as far as I
am able, these places in detail, beginning from the sea-coast near the
Ionian Gulf, where the navigation out of the Adriatic terminates.
4. The first parts of this coast are those about Epidamnus and
Apollonia. From Apollonia to Macedonia is the Egnatian Way; its
direction is towards the east, and the distance is measured by pillars
at every mile, as far as Cypselus[2830] and the river Hebrus. [2831] The
whole distance is 535 miles. But reckoning, as the generality of persons
reckon, a mile at eight stadia, there may be 4280 stadia. And according
to Polybius, who adds two plethra, that is, the third of a stadium, to
every eight stadia, we must add 178 stadia more, a third part of the
number of miles. [2832] A traveller from Apollonia,[2833] and a traveller
from Epidamnus,[2834] on the same road, meet midway between the two
cities. The whole is called the Egnatian Way. The first part of it is
called the road to Candavia, which is an Illyrian mountain. It passes
through Lychnidus,[2835] a city, and Pylon, a place which separates
Illyria from Macedonia. Thence its direction is beside Barnus through
Heracleia, the Lyncestæ, and the Eordi, to Edessa[2836] and Pella,[2837]
as far as Thessalonica. [2838] Polybius says, that this is a distance of
267 miles. In travelling this road from the neighbourhood of Epidamnus
and Apollonia, on the right hand are the Epirotic nations situated on
the coast of the Sicilian Sea, and extending as far as the Gulf of
Ambracia;[2839] on the left are the Illyrian mountains, which we have
before described, and the nations that live near them, extending as far
as Macedonia and the Pæones.
[CAS. 323] From the Gulf of Ambracia the places next in order, inclining
to the east, and extending opposite to Peloponnesus, belong to Greece;
they terminate at the Ægean Sea, leaving the whole of Peloponnesus on
the right hand.
The country, from the commencement of the Macedonian and Pæonian
mountains, as far as the river Strymon,[2840] is inhabited by
Macedonians, and Pæones, and some of the Thracian mountain tribes. But
all the country on the other side the Strymon, as far as the mouth of
the Euxine Sea, and Mount Hæmus,[2841] belong to the Thracians, except
the coast, which is occupied by Greeks, some of whom are settled on the
Propontis,[2842] others on the Hellespont and on the Gulf Melas,[2843]
and others on the Ægean Sea.
The Ægean Sea waters two sides of Greece; first, the eastern side,
extending from the promontory Sunium[2844] to the north as far as the
Thermæan Gulf, and Thessalonica, a Macedonian city, which has, at
present, the largest population in these parts. Then the southern side,
which is a part of Macedonia, extending from Thessalonica to the
Strymon. Some writers assign the coast from the Strymon as far as
Nestus[2845] to Macedonia. For Philip showed the greatest solicitude to
obtain, and at length appropriated it to himself. He raised a very large
revenue from the mines, and from other sources which the richness of the
country afforded.
From Sunium to the Peloponnesus are the Myrtoan, the Cretan, and the
Libyan Seas, together with the Gulfs, as far as the Sicilian Sea, which
consist of the Gulfs of Ambracia, of Corinth, and of Crissa.
5. Theopompus says, that there are fourteen Epirotic nations. Of these,
the most celebrated are the Chaones and Molotti, because the whole of
Epirus was at one time subject, first to Chaones, afterwards to Molotti.
Their power was greatly strengthened by the family of their kings being
descended from the Æacidæ, and because the ancient and famous oracle of
Dodona[2846] was in their country. Chaones, Thesproti, and next after
these Cassopæi, (who are Thesproti,) occupy the coast, a fertile tract
reaching from the Ceraunian mountains to the Ambracian Gulf.
The voyage commencing from the Chaones eastward towards the Gulfs of
Ambracia and Corinth, and having the Ausonian Sea on the right, and
Epirus on the left, comprises 1300 stadia to the mouth of the Ambracian
Gulf. In this interval is Panormus,[2847] a large port in the middle of
the Ceraunian mountains. Next to this is Onchesmus,[2848] another
harbour, opposite to which are the western extremities of Corcyra,[2849]
and then again another port, Cassiope,[2850] (Cassope? ) whence to
Brundusium[2851] are 1700 stadia. It is the same distance to Tarentum
from another promontory more to the south than Cassiope, which is called
Phalacrum. Next after Onchesmus are Posidium, and Buthrotum,[2852]
(which is situated upon the mouth of the lake Pelodes, in a spot of a
peninsula form, and has a Roman colony,) and the Sybota. The
Sybota[2853] are small islands at a little distance from Epirus, lying
near Leucimme,[2854] the eastern promontory of Corcyra. There are also
other small islands, not worthy of notice, which are met with along the
coast.
Next is the promontory Chimerium, and a harbour called Glycys-Limen, [or
Sweet Harbour,] where the river Acheron, which receives several other
rivers, empties itself and renders fresh the water of the gulf. The
Thyamus[2855] flows near it. Above this gulf is situated Cichyrus,
formerly Ephyra, a city of the Thesproti, and above the gulf at
Buthrotum, Phœnice. [2856] Near Cichyrus is Buchetium, a small city of
the Cassopæi, situated at a little distance from the sea; Elatria,
Pandosia, and Batiæ are in the inland parts. Their territory extends as
far as the gulf. Next after the harbour Glycys-Limen are two others,
Comarus,[2857] the nearest and smallest, forming an isthmus of 60
stadia, near the Ambracian Gulf and Nicopolis,[2858] founded by Augustus
Cæsar; the other, the more distant and larger, and better harbour, is
near the mouth of the gulf, and distant from Nicopolis about 12 stadia.
6. Then follows the entrance of the Ambracian Gulf, [CAS. 326] which is
a little more than four stadia in width. The circuit of the gulf is 400
stadia, and the whole has good harbours. On sailing into it, on the
right hand are the Acarnanes, who are Greeks; and here near the entrance
of the gulf is a temple of Apollo Actius, situated on an eminence; in
the plain below is a sacred grove, and a naval station. Here Augustus
Cæsar[2859] dedicated as offerings one-tenth of the vessels taken in
war, from vessels of one bank to vessels of ten banks of oars. The
vessels, and the buildings destined for their reception, were destroyed,
it is said, by fire.
On the left hand are Nicopolis,[2860] and the Cassopæi, a tribe of the
Epirotæ, extending as far as the recess of the gulf at Ambracia.
Ambracia[2861] is situated a little above the recess of the bay, and was
founded by Gorgus, (Torgus, Tolgus,) the son of Cypselus. The river
Arathus flows beside it, which may be navigated up the stream to the
city, a distance of a few stadia. It rises in Mount Tymphe, and the
Paroræa. This city was formerly in a very flourishing condition, and
hence the gulf received its name from the city. Pyrrhus, however,
embellished it more than any other person, and made it a royal
residence. In later times,[2862] the Macedonians and Romans harassed
this and other cities by continual wars, caused by the refractory
disposition of the inhabitants, so that Augustus, at length perceiving
that these cities were entirely deserted, collected their remaining
inhabitants into one city, which he called Nicopolis, situated upon the
gulf. He called it after the victory which he obtained in front of the
gulf, over Antony, and Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, who was present in
the engagement.
Nicopolis is well peopled, and is improving every day. It has a large
territory, and is adorned with the spoils of war. In the suburbs is a
sacred enclosure; part of it is a grove, containing a gymnasium and a
stadium, intended for the celebration of quinquennial games; the other
part, on a rising ground overhanging the grove, is sacred to Apollo. The
Olympian game, called the Actia,[2863] is instituted there in honour of
Apollo Actius. It is under the superintendence of the Lacedæmonians. The
other surrounding settlements are dependent on Nicopolis. The Actian
games[2863] were formerly celebrated in honour of the god by the
neighbouring people; it was a contest in which the victor was crowned;
but Cæsar has conferred on it greater honours.
7. After Ambracia follows the Amphilochian Argos, founded by Alcmæon and
his sons. According to Ephorus, Alcmæon, after the expedition of the
Epigoni[2864] against Thebes, upon the solicitation of Diomed,
accompanied him in his invasion of Ætolia, and obtained joint possession
of this country and of Acarnania. When Agamemnon invited them to come to
the siege of Troy, Diomed went, but Alcmæon remained in Acarnania,
founded Argos, and gave it the name Amphilochian, after his brother
Amphilochus. On the same authority the river Inachus, which flows
through the country and empties itself into the bay, received its name
from the river in the Argive territory. Thucydides, however, says that
Amphilochus himself, upon his return from Troy, dissatisfied with the
state of things at Argos, passed over into Acarnania, and having
succeeded to the dynasty of his brother, founded the city which is
called after his name.
8. The Amphilochians are Epirotæ, as also are those nations who inhabit
a rugged country situated above and close to the Illyrian mountains, the
Molotti, Athamanes, Æthices, Tymphæi, Orestæ Paroræi, and Atintanes,
some of whom approach nearer to Macedonia, others to the Ionian Gulf. It
is said that Orestes possessed the territory Orestias at the time of his
flight, after the murder of his mother, and left the country [CAS. 327]
bearing his name, where also he had built a city called Orestic Argos.
With these people are intermixed Illyrian nations, some of whom are
situated on the southern part of the mountainous district, and others
above the Ionian Gulf. For above Epidamnus and Apollonia, as far as the
Ceraunian mountains, live the Bulliones, Taulantii, Parthini, and
Brygi. [2865]
Somewhere near are the silver mines of Damastium. Here the Perisadyes
had established their sway, and Enchelii, who are also called
Sesarethii. Then come the Lyncestæ, the territory Deuriopus,
Pelagonia-Tripolitis, the Eordi, Elimia, and Eratyra. Formerly each of
these nations was under its own prince. The chiefs of the Enchelii were
descendants of Cadmus and Harmonia, and scenes of the fables respecting
these persons are shown in the territory. This nation, therefore, was
not governed by native princes. The Lyncestæ were under Arrhabæus, who
was of the race of the Bacchiadæ. Irra was his daughter, and his
grand-daughter was Eurydice, the mother of Philip Amyntas.
The Molotti also were Epirotæ, and were subjects of Pyrrhus Neoptolemus,
the son of Achilles, and of his descendants, who were Thessalians. The
rest were governed by native princes. Some tribes were continually
endeavouring to obtain the mastery over the others, but all were finally
subdued by the Macedonians, except a few situated above the Ionian Gulf.
They gave the name of Upper Macedonia to the country about Lyncestis,
Pelagonia, Orestias, and Elimia. Later writers called it Macedonia the
Free, and some extend the name of Macedonia to all the country as far as
Corcyra, at the same time assigning as their reasons, the mode of
cutting their hair, their language, the use of the chlamys, and similar
things in which they resemble the Macedonians; some of them, however,
speak two languages. On the dissolution of the Macedonian empire, they
fell under the power of the Romans.
The Egnatian Way, from Epidamnus and Apollonia, passes through the
territory of these people. Near the road to Candavia are the lakes about
Lychnidus, which furnish large supplies of fish for salting, and rivers,
some of which empty themselves into the Ionian Gulf. Some flow towards
the south, as the Inachus, the Arathus, (Ratoüs,) the Achelous, and the
Evenus, formerly called Lycormas. The Ratoüs discharges its waters into
the Ambracian Gulf, the Inachus into the Achelous, the Achelous itself
into the sea, as also the Evenus; the former traverses Acarnania, the
latter Ætolia. The Erigon, after having received many streams which flow
from the Illyrian mountains, and through the territories of Lyncestæ,
Brygi, Deuriopes, and Pelagonians, empties itself into the Axius.
9. There were formerly cities among these nations. The district
Pelagonia-Tripolitis contained (as the name signifies) three cities, of
which Azorus was one. All the cities of the Deuriopes were situated on
the banks of the Erigon; among which were Bryanium, Alalcomenæ,[2866]
and Stymbara. [2867] Cydriæ belonged to the Brygi, and Æginium on the
confines of Æthicia, and Tricca, to the Tymphæi. Near Macedonia and
Thessalia, about the mountains Pœus and Pindus, are the Æthices, and the
sources of the Peneus, which are a subject of dispute between the
Tymphæi and the Thessalians, who are situated below Pindus.
On the banks of the river Ion is Oxynia, a city distant from Azorus in
the Tripolitis 120 stadia. Near Oxynia are Alalcomenæ, Æginium, Europus,
and the confluence of the Ion with the Peneus.
At that time then, as I said before, the whole of Epirus and Illyria
were well peopled, although the country is rugged and full of mountains,
such as Tomarus, and Polyanus, and many others. At present the greater
part is uninhabited, and the inhabited parts are left in the state of
villages, or in ruins. Even the oracle at Dodona has almost been
deserted, like the rest.
10. This oracle, according to Ephorus, was established by Pelasgi, who
are said to be the most ancient people that were sovereigns in Greece.
Thus the poet speaks,
“O great Pelasgic Dodonæan Jove;”[2868]
and Hesiod,
“He went to Dodona, the dwelling of the Pelasgi, and to the beech
tree. ”
[CAS. 328] I have spoken of the Pelasgi in the account of Tyrrhenia.
With respect to Dodona, Homer clearly intimates that the people who
lived about the temple were barbarians, from their mode of life,
describing them as persons who do not wash their feet, and who sleep on
the ground. Whether we should read Helli, with Pindar, or Selli, as it
is conjectured the word existed in Homer, the ambiguity of the writing
does not permit us to affirm confidently. Philochorus says, that the
country about Dodona was called, like Eubœa, Hellopia; for these are the
words of Hesiod,
“There is a country Hellopia, rich in corn-fields and pastures;
at its extremity is built Dodona. ”
It is supposed, says Apollodorus, that it had this name from the “hele,”
or marshes about the temple. He is of opinion that the poet did not call
the people about the temple Helli, but Selli, adding, that Homer
mentions a certain river (near) of the name of Selleis. He specifies the
name in this line,
“At a distance far from Ephyra, from the river Selleis. ”
[Demetrius of Skepsis contends that] Ephyra of Thesprotia is not here
meant, but Ephyra of Elis. For the river Selleis is in Elis, and there
is no river of this name either in Thesprotia or among the Molotti. The
fable of the oak and the doves, and other similar things, like the
stories connected with Delphi, although they are subjects more adapted
to engage the attention of a poet, yet are appropriate to the
description of the country with which we are now occupied.
Dodona was formerly subject to the Thesproti, as was the mountain
Tomarus, or Tmarus, (both names are in use,) below which the temple is
situated. The tragic writers and Pindar give the epithet of Thesprotis
to Dodona. It was said to be subject, in later times, to the Molotti.
Those called by the poet Jove’s interpreters,[2869] and described by him
as men with unwashen feet, who slept on the ground, were, it is said,
called Tomuri[2870] from Mount Tomarus, and the passage in the Odyssey
containing the advice of Amphinomus to the suitors not to attack
Telemachus before they had inquired of Jupiter is as follows,
“If the Tomuri of great Jove approve, I myself will kill him, and
I will order all to join in the deed; but if the god forbid it, I
command to withhold. ”[2871]
For it is better, it is asserted, to write Tomuri[2872] than
Themistæ,[2873] because in no passage whatever are oracles called by the
poet Themistæ, this term being applied to decrees,[2874] or statutes and
rules of civil government; and the persons are called Tomuri,[2875]
which is the contracted form of Tomaruri,[2876] or guardians of Tomarus.
In Homer, however, we must understand θέμιστες in a more simple sense,
and, like βουλαί, by the figure Catachresis, as meaning commands and
oracular injunctions as well as laws; for such is the import of this
line:
“To listen to[2877] the will of Jove, which comes forth from the
lofty and verdant oak. ”
12. The first prophets were men, and this the poet perhaps indicates,
for he calls the persons interpreters,[2878] among whom the
prophets[2879] might be classed. In after-times three old women were
appointed to this office, after even Dione had a common temple with
Jupiter.
Suidas, in order to court the favour of the Thessalians by fabulous
stories, says, that the temple was transported from Scotussa of the
Thessalian Pelasgiotis, accompanied by a great multitude, chiefly of
women, whose descendants are the present prophetesses, and that hence
Jupiter had the epithet Pelasgic. Cineas relates what is still more
fabulous * * * * * * * * * *
[With the exception of the following Fragments, the rest of this
book is lost. ]
FRAGMENTS. [2880]
1. The oracle was formerly at Scotussa, a city of Pelasgiotis, but was
transferred to Dodona by the command of Apollo, after some persons had
burnt down the tree. The oracular answers were not conveyed by words,
but by certain signs, as at the oracle of Ammon in Libya. Probably the
three doves made some peculiar flight, which, observed by the
priestesses, suggested the oracular answer. Some say that, in the
language of the Molotti and Thesprotæ, old women are called “peliæ,” and
old men “pelii,” so that the celebrated doves were probably not birds,
but three old women who passed an idle time about the temple. EPIT.
2. Among the Thesprotæ and Molotti old women are called “peliæ,” and old
men “pelii,” as among the Macedonians. Persons at least who hold office
are called “peligones,” as among the Laconians and Massilienses they are
called “gerontes. ” Hence it is asserted that the story of the doves in
the oak at Dodona is a fable. E.
3. The proverb, “The brazen vessel of Dodona,” thus arose. In the temple
was a brazen vessel, having over it a statue of a man (an offering of
the Corcyræans) grasping in the hand a brazen scourge of three thongs,
woven in chains, from which were suspended small bones. The bones
striking continually upon the brazen vessel, whenever they were agitated
by the wind, produced a long protracted sound, so that a person from the
beginning to the end of the vibrations might proceed to count as far as
four hundred. Whence also came the proverb, “The Corcyræan
scourge. ”[2881] EPIT.
4. Pæonia is to the east of these nations, and to the west of the
Thracian mountains; on the north it lies above Macedonia. Through the
city Gortynium and Stobi it admits of a passage to * * * (through which
the Axius flows, and renders the access difficult from Pæonia into
Macedonia, as the Peneus flowing through Tempe protects it on the side
of Greece. ) On the south, Pæonia borders on the Autariatæ, the Dardanii,
and the Ardiæi; it extends also as far as the Strymon. E.
5. The Haliacmon[2882] flows into the Thermæan Gulf. E.
6. Orestis is of considerable extent; there is in it a large mountain
which reaches to Corax[2883] of Ætolia and to Parnassus. It is inhabited
by the Orestæ themselves, by the Tymphæans, and by Greeks without the
isthmus, namely, those who also occupy Parnassus, Œta, and Pindus. As a
whole, the mountain is called by one name, Boion, (Pœum ? ) but the
separate divisions bear various names. The Ægean, Ambracian, and Ionian
Seas are said to be distinguishable from the highest elevations, but
this appears to me to be an extravagant assertion; for Pteleum rises to
a considerable height, and is situated near the Ambracian Gulf,
stretching on one side to the Corcyræan and on the other to the
Leucadian Seas. E.
7. Corcyra, humbled by many wars, became a subject of ridicule, and
passed into a proverb. E.
8. Corcyra was formerly a flourishing place, and possessed a
considerable naval force, but went into decay through war and the
oppression of its rulers. In later times, although restored to liberty
by the Romans, it acquired no renown, but the taunting proverb was
applied to it, “Corcyra the Free, ease yourself where you please. ” EPIT.
9. Of Europe, there remains Macedonia, and the parts of Thrace
contiguous to it, extending to Byzantium, Greece also, and the adjacent
islands: indeed, Macedonia is a part of Greece. Following, however, the
natural character of the country and its form, we have determined to
separate it from Greece, and to unite it with Thrace, which borders upon
it. ——Strabo, after a few remarks, mentions Cypsela[2884] and the river
Hebrus. [2885] He also describes a parallelogram in which is placed the
whole of Macedonia. E.
10. Macedonia is bounded on the west by the sea-coast of the Adriatic;
on the east by a meridian line parallel to this coast, passing through
the mouth of the river Hebrus, and the city Cypsela; on the north by an
imaginary straight line passing through the mountains Bertiscus,
Scardus,[2886] Orbelus,[2887] Rhodope,[2888] and Hæmus. [2889] For these
mountains extend in a straight line, beginning from the Adriatic, to the
Euxine, forming towards the south a great peninsula, which comprehends
Thrace, Macedonia, Epirus, and Achaia. On the south, Macedonia is
bounded by the Egnatian Way, which goes from Dyrrachium eastwards to
Thessalonica, and thus has very nearly the form of a parallelogram.
EPIT.
11. The country now called Macedonia was formerly called Emathia. It
acquired this name from Macedon, one of its ancient princes. There was
also a city Emathia near the sea. The country was occupied by some of
the Epirotæ and Illyrians, but the greatest part by Bottiæi and
Thracians. The Bottiæi were of Cretan origin, and came under the command
of Botton; the Pieres, who were Thracians, inhabited Pieria and the
parts about Olympus; the Pæonians, the borders of the river Axius, from
whence the region was called Amphaxitis; the Edoni and Bisalti, the rest
of the country as far as the Strymon. The Bisalti retained their name,
but the Edoni went under the various names of Mygdones, Edoni, (Odones? )
and Sithones. Of all these people, the Argeadæ and the Chalcidenses of
Eubœa became the chief. The Chalcidenses came from Eubœa into the
territory of the Sithones, and there founded about thirty cities. They
were subsequently driven out by the Sithones, but the greater part of
them collected together into a single city, namely, Olynthus. [2890] They
had the name of Chalcidenses-in-Thrace. E.
12. The Peneus separates Lower Macedonia and the sea-board from Thessaly
and Magnesia. The Haliacmon is the boundary of Upper Macedonia; and the
Haliacmon, the Erigon, the Axius, and other rivers, form the boundary
between Macedonia and the Epirotæ and the Pæonians. E.
13. If a line is drawn from the recess of the Thermaic Gulf, on the
sea-coast of Macedonia, and from Thessalonica, southwards, to Sunium,
and another eastwards, towards the Thracian Chersonese, an angle will be
made in the recess. Macedonia extends in both directions, and we must
begin with the line first mentioned. The first part of it has beyond it
Attica with Megaris to the Crissæan Bay. Next succeeds the sea-coast of
Bœotia near Eubœa. Above Eubœa on the west lies the rest of Bœotia,
parallel with Attica. Strabo says that the Egnatian Way begins from the
Ionian Gulf and ends at Thessalonica. E.
14. From these reefs, says Strabo, we shall first mark the boundaries of
those who live about the river Peneus and Haliacmon near the sea. The
Peneus flows from Mount Pindus through the middle of Thrace eastwards;
passing through the cities of the Lapithæ and some of the cities of the
Perrhæbi, it arrives at the vale of Tempe, having in its course received
the waters of several rivers: of these, the Europus (Eurotas) is one,
called by the poet Titaresius. It rises from Titarius, (Titarus,) a
mountain continuous with Olympus, which at this point first begins to
mark the boundary between Macedonia and Thessaly. Tempe is a narrow
valley between Olympus and Ossa. The Peneus continues its course from
this narrow pass 40 stadia, having Olympus, the highest of the
Macedonian mountains, on the left, [and Ossa on the right, near] the
mouth of the river. At the mouth of the Peneus on the right is situated
Gyrton, a city of the Perrhæbi, and Magnetis, where Pirithous and Ixion
were kings. The city Crannon is 100 stadia distant from Gyrton. Some
assert, that in the lines of Homer, “These two from Thrace,” and what
follows, for Ephyri we are to understand Crannonii, and for Phlegyes,
the people of Gyrton. Pieria is on the other side. E.
15. The Peneus, rising in Mount Pindus, flows through Tempe, the middle
of Thessaly, the Lapithæ, and the Perrhæbi. It receives the Europus,
(Eurotas,) which Homer calls Titaresius, in its course, and forms on the
north the boundary of Macedonia, and on the south that of Thessaly. The
sources of the river Europus are in Mount Titarius, which is contiguous
to Olympus. Olympus itself is in Macedonia; Ossa and Pelion in Thessaly.
EPIT.
16. At the roots of Olympus, and on the banks of the Peneus, is Gyrton,
a Perrhæbic city, and Magnetis, where Pirithous and Ixion ruled. [The
city] Crannon is [100 stadia] distant [from Gyrton]; and it is said that
when the poet writes “Both from Thrace,” we are to understand by Ephyri,
the Crannonians, and by Phlegyes, the Gyrtonii. EPIT.
17. The city Dium is not on the sea-shore of the Thermæan Gulf, at the
roots of Olympus, but is about 7 stadia distant. Near Dium is a village
Pimplea, where Orpheus lived. EPIT.
18. Beneath Olympus is Dium; near it is a village, Pimplea, where it is
said Orpheus lived. He was a Cicon (of the tribe of the Cicones) and was
a diviner. At first he drew people about him by the practice of music
and witchcraft, and by the introduction of mysterious ceremonies in
religious worship. After a time, obtaining a greater degree of
self-importance, he collected a multitude of followers, and acquired
influence. He had many willing followers, but becoming suspected by a
few of entertaining secret designs, and of an intention of taking
forcible possession of power, he was attacked by them and put to death.
Near this place is Libethra. E.
19. Anciently diviners practised the art of music. EPIT.
20. After Dium follow the mouths of the Haliacmon; then Pydna, Methone,
Alorus, and the rivers Erigon and Ludias. The Ludias flows from
Triclari, through the Oresti and the Pellæan country (Pelagonia):
leaving the city on the left it falls into the Axius. The Ludias is
navigable up the stream to Pella 120 stadia. Methone is situated in the
middle, about 40 stadia distant from Pydna, and 70 stadia from Alorus.
Alorus is situated in the farthest recess of the Thermæan Gulf. It was
called Thessalonica on account of the splendid [victory obtained over
the Thessalians]. Alorus is considered as belonging to Bottiæa and Pydna
to Pieria. Pella is in Lower Macedonia, which was in possession of the
Bottiæi. Here was formerly the Macedonian Treasury. Philip, who was
brought up in this place, raised it from an inconsiderable city to some
importance. It has a citadel situated on a lake called Ludias. From this
lake issues the river Ludias, which is filled by a branch of the Axius.
The Axius discharges itself between Chalastra and Therma. Near this
river is a fortified place, now called Abydos; Homer calls it Amydon,
and says that the Pæonians came from hence to assist the Trojans during
the siege of Troy.
“From afar, from Amydon, from Axius’ wide stream. ”
It was razed by the Argeadæ. E.
21. The water of the Axius is turbid. Homer, however, says that the
water is “most beautiful,” probably on account of a spring called Æa
which runs into it, the water of which is of surpassing clearness. This
is sufficient to prove that the present reading in the poem is
erroneous. After the Axius is the Echedorus,[2891] 20 stadia distant.
Then Thessalonica, founded by Cassander, 40 stadia farther on, and the
Egnatian Way. He named the city after his wife Thessalonice, the
daughter of Philip Amyntas, and pulled down nearly 26 cities in the
district of Crucis, and on the Thermæan Gulf, collecting the inhabitants
into one city. It is the metropolis of the present Macedonia. The cities
transferred to Thessalonica were Apollonia, Chalastra, Therma, Garescus,
Ænea, and Cissus. Cissus, it is probable, belonged to Cisseus, who is
mentioned by the poet. “Cisseus educated him,” meaning Iphidamas. E.
22. After the city Drium is the river Haliacmon, which discharges itself
into the Thermæan Gulf.
mention them again in another place.
8. After the bay of Rhizon[2785] is Lissus,[2786] a city,
Acrolissus,[2787] and Epidamnus, the present Dyrrhachium,[2788] founded
by Corcyræans, and bearing the name of the peninsula on which it [CAS.
316] is situated. Then follow the rivers Apsus[2789] and the Aous,[2790]
on the banks of which is situated Apollonia,[2791] a city governed by
excellent laws. It was founded by Corinthians and Corcyræans, and is
distant from the river 10, and from the sea 60, stadia. Hecatæus calls
the Aous, Aïas, and says that from the same place, or rather from the
same sources about Lacmus,[2792] the Inachus flows southward, to
Argos,[2793] and the Aïas westward, into the Adriatic.
In the territory of the Apolloniatæ there is what is called a Nymphæum.
It is a rock which emits fire. Below it are springs flowing with hot
water and asphaltus. The earth containing the asphaltus is probably in a
state of combustion. The asphaltus is dug out of a neighbouring hill;
the parts excavated are replaced by fresh earth, which after a time are
converted into asphaltus. This account is given by Posidonius, who says
also, that the ampelitis, an asphaltic earth found in the Pierian
Seleucia,[2794] is a remedy for the lice which infest the vine. If the
vine is smeared with this earth mixed with oil, the insects are killed
before they ascend from the root to the branches. This earth, but it
required for use a larger quantity of oil, he says was found at Rhodes
also, while he held there the office of Prytanes.
Next to Apollonia is Bylliace (Bullis) and Oricum,[2795] with its naval
arsenal, Panormus, and the Ceraunian mountains, which form the
commencement of the entrance of the Ionian and Adriatic Gulfs.
9. The mouth is common to both; but this difference is to be observed,
that the name Ionian[2796] is applied to the first part of the gulf
only, and Adriatic to the interior sea up to the farthest end, but the
name Adriatic is now applied to the whole sea. According to Theopompus,
the name Ionian was derived from a chief (Ionius) of that country, a
native of Issa; and the name Adriatic from a river, Adrias. [2797]
From the Liburni to the Ceraunian mountains is a distance of a little
more than 2000 stadia. But Theopompus says, that it is six days’ sail
from the farthest recess of the bay, but a journey of thirty days by
land along the length of Illyria. This appears to me an exaggeration,
but he makes many incredible statements. Among other instances, he
pretends that there is a subterraneous passage between the Adriatic and
the Ægean Seas, grounding his opinion on the discovery of Chian and
Thasian pottery in the river Naron. [2798] The two seas, he says, may be
seen from some pretended mountain. He describes the Liburnian islands as
occupying a position so extensive as to form a circle of 500 stadia.
According to him, the Danube discharges itself by one of its mouths into
the Adriatic. [2799] Similar mistakes are to be found in Eratosthenes,
which Polybius, when speaking of him and other writers, describes as
having their origin in vulgar error. [2800]
10. On the coast of Illyria, along its whole extent, and in the
neighbouring islands, there are numerous excellent harbours, contrary to
what occurs on the opposite Italian coast, where there are none. As in
Italy, however, the climate is warm, and the soil productive of fruits;
olives also and vines grow readily, except in some few excessively
rugged places. Although Illyria possesses these advantages, it was
formerly neglected, through ignorance, perhaps, of its fertility; but it
was principally avoided on account of the savage manners of the
inhabitants, and their piratical habits.
The region situated above the sea-coast is mountainous, cold, and at
times covered with snow. The northern part is still colder, so that
vines are rarely to be met with either in the hills or in the plains
lower down. These mountain-plains are in the possession of the
Pannonians, and extend towards the south as far as the Dalmatians and
Ardiæi. They terminate towards the north at the Ister, and approach
towards [CAS. 317] the east close to the Scordisci, who live near the
Macedonian and Thracian mountains.
11. The Autariatæ were the most populous and the bravest tribe of the
Illyrians. Formerly, there were continual disputes between them and the
Ardiæi respecting the salt which was spontaneously formed on the
confines of their respective territories, in the spring season, from
water which flows through a valley. The salt concreted five days after
the water was drawn and deposited in reservoirs. The right of collecting
salt was, by agreement, to be exercised alternately by each party, but
the compact was broken and war was the consequence. After the Autariatæ
had subdued the Triballi, a people whose territory extended a journey of
fifteen days, from the Agrianæ to the Danube, they became masters of the
Thracians and Illyrians. The Autariatæ were first conquered by the
Scordisci, and afterwards by the Romans, who overpowered the Scordisci,
for a long time a powerful nation.
12. This people inhabited the country on the banks of the Danube, and
were divided into two tribes, the Great and the Little Scordisci. [2801]
The former occupied the space between two rivers, which empty themselves
into the Danube, the Noarus,[2802] which runs beside Segestica, and the
Margus, or, as some call it, Bargus. The Little Scordisci lived beyond
this river close to the Triballi and Mysi. [2803] The Scordisci possessed
some of the islands also. They increased so much in strength and numbers
as to advance even to the Illyrian, Pæonian, and Thracian confines. Most
of the islands on the Danube fell into their hands, and they possessed
the cities Heorta and Capedunum. [2804]
Next to the territory of the Scordisci, lying along the banks of the
Danube, is the country of the Triballi and Mysi, whom we have before
mentioned; we have also spoken of the marshes[2805] of the Lesser
Scythia on this side the Danube. This nation, and the Crobyzi, and the
nation called Troglodytæ, live above the districts in which are situated
Callatis, Tomis, and Ister. [2806] Next are the people about the Mount
Hæmus, and those who live at its foot, extending as far as the Pontus,
Coralli, and Bessi, and some tribes of Mædi and of Dantheletæ. All these
nations are very much addicted to robbery. The Bessi possess far the
greatest part of Mount Hæmus, and are called Robbers from their mode of
life as freebooters. Some of them live in huts and lead a life of
hardship. They extend close to Rhodope, the Pæones, and to the Illyrian
nations; to the Autariatæ also, and the Dardanians. Between these and
the Ardiæi are the Dasaretii, Hybrianes, and other obscure nations,
whose numbers the Scordisci were continually reducing, until they had
made the country a desert, full of impassable forests, which extended
several days’ journey.
CHAPTER VI.
1. Of the country situated between the Danube and the mountains on each
side of Pæonia, there remains to be described the Pontic coast, which
reaches from the Sacred mouth of the Danube to the mountainous district
about Hæmus, and to the mouth of the Pontus at Byzantium. As in
describing the Illyrian coast we had proceeded as far as the Ceraunian
mountains, which, although they stretch beyond the mountainous district
of Illyria, yet constitute a sort of proper boundary, we determined by
means of these mountains the limits of the nations in the inland parts,
considering, that such separating lines would be better marks both for
our present and future use; so here also the coast, although it may fall
beyond the mountainous line, will still end at a proper kind of limit,
the mouth of the Pontus, which will be useful both for our present and
our future descriptions.
If we set out from the Sacred mouth of the Danube, having on the right
hand the continuous line of coast, we find at the [CAS. 319] distance of
500 stadia, Ister,[2807] a small town founded by Milesians; then
Tomis,[2808] another small town, at the distance of 250 stadia; then
Callatis,[2809] a city, a colony of the Heracleotæ, at 280 stadia; then,
at 1300 stadia, Apollonia,[2810] a colony of Milesians, having the
greater part of the buildings upon a small island, where is a temple of
Apollo, whence Marcus Lucullus took the Colossus of Apollo, the work of
Calamides, and dedicated it as a sacred offering in the Capitol. In the
intermediate distance between Callatis and Apollonia, is Bizone, a great
part of which was swallowed up by an earthquake; Cruni;[2811]
Odessus,[2812] a colony of Milesians; and Naulochus, a small town of the
Mesembriani. Next follows the mountain Hæmus,[2813] extending to the sea
in this quarter; then Mesembria,[2814] a colony of the Megarenses,
formerly called Menabria, or city of Mena, Menas being the name of the
founder, and bria,[2815] signifying in the Thracian tongue, city. Thus
the city of Selys is called Selybria, and Ænus once had the name of
Poltyobria. Then follows Anchiale,[2816] a small town of the
Apolloniatæ, and Apollonia itself.
On this coast is the promontory Tirizis, a place naturally strong, which
Lysimachus formerly used as a treasury. Again, from Apollonia to the
Cyaneæ are about 1500 stadia. In this interval are Thynias, a tract
belonging to the Apolloniatæ, Phinopolis, and Andriace,[2817] which are
contiguous to Salmydessus. This coast is without inhabitants and rocky,
without harbours, stretching far towards the north, and extending as far
as the Cyaneæ, about 700 stadia. Those who are wrecked on this coast are
plundered by the Asti, a Thracian tribe who live above it.
The Cyaneæ[2818] are two small islands at the mouth of the Pontus, one
lying near Europe, the other near Asia, and are separated by a channel
of about 20 stadia. This is the measure of the distance between the
temple of the Byzantines and the temple of the Chalcedonians, where is
the narrowest part of the mouth of the Euxine Sea. For proceeding
onwards 10 stadia there is a promontory, which reduces the strait to 5
stadia; the strait afterwards opens to a greater width, and begins to
form the Propontis.
2. From the promontory, then, that reduces the strait to 5 stadia, to
the Port under the Fig-tree, as it is called, are 35 stadia; thence to
the Horn of the Byzantines, 5 stadia. This Horn, close to the walls of
Byzantium, is a bay, extending westwards 60 stadia, and resembling a
stag’s horn, for it is divided into a great many bays, like so many
branches. The Pelamides[2819] resort to these bays, and are easily
taken, on account of their great number, and the force of the current,
which drives them together in a body; and also on account of the
narrowness of the bays, which is such that they are caught even by the
hand. These fish are bred in the marshes of the Mæotis. When they have
attained a little size and strength, they rush through the mouth in
shoals, and are carried along the Asiatic coast as far as Trapezus and
Pharnacia. It is here that the fishery begins, but it is not carried on
to any considerable extent, because the fish are not of a proper size at
this place. When they get as far as Sinope, they are in better season
for the fishery, and for the purpose of salting. But when they have
reached and passed the Cyaneæ, a white rock projects from the
Chalcedonian shore, which alarms the fish, so that they immediately turn
away to the opposite coast. There they are caught by the stream, and the
nature of the places being such as to divert the current of the sea in
that part towards Byzantium, and the Horn near it, the fish are impelled
thither in a body, and afford to the Byzantines, and to the Roman
people, a large revenue. The Chalcedonians, however, although situated
near, and on the opposite side, have no share of this supply, because
the Pelamides do not approach their harbours.
After the foundation of Chalcedon, Apollo is said to have [CAS. 320]
enjoined the founders of Byzantium, in answer to their inquiries, to
build their city opposite to the Blind, applying this name to the
Chalcedonians, who, although they were the first persons to arrive in
these parts, had omitted to take possession of the opposite side, which
afforded such great resources of wealth, and chose the barren coast.
We have continued our description to Byzantium, because this celebrated
city,[2820] by its proximity to the mouth of the Euxine Sea, forms a
better-known and more remarkable termination of an account of the coast
from the Danube than any other.
Above Byzantium is the nation of the Asti, in whose territory is the
city Calybe, which Philip the son of Amyntas made a settlement for
criminals.
CHAPTER VII.
1. These are the nations, bounded by the Danube and by the Illyrian and
Thracian mountains, which are worthy of record. They occupy the whole
coast of the Adriatic Sea, beginning from the recess of the gulf, and
the left side, as it is called, of the Euxine Sea, from the river Danube
to Byzantium.
The southern parts of the above-mentioned mountainous tract, and the
countries which follow, lying below it, remain to be described. Among
these are Greece, and the contiguous barbarous country extending to the
mountains.
Hecatæus of Miletus says of the Peloponnesus, that, before the time of
the Greeks, it was inhabited by barbarians. Perhaps even the whole of
Greece was, anciently, a settlement of barbarians, if we judge from
former accounts. For Pelops brought colonists from Phrygia into the
Peloponnesus, which took his name; Danaus[2821] brought colonists from
Egypt; Dryopes, Caucones, Pelasgi, Leleges, and other barbarous nations,
partitioned among themselves the country on this side of the
isthmus. [2822] The case was the same on the other side of the isthmus;
for Thracians, under their leader Eumolpus,[2823] took possession of
Attica; Tereus of Daulis in Phocæa; the Phœnicians, with their leader
Cadmus,[2824] occupied the Cadmeian district; Aones, and Temmices, and
Hyantes, Bœotia. Pindar says, “there was a time when the Bœotian people
were called Syes. ”[2825] Some names show their barbarous origin, as
Cecrops, Codrus, Œclus, Cothus, Drymas, and Crinacus. [2826] Thracians,
Illyrians, and Epirotæ are settled even at present on the sides of
Greece. Formerly the territory they possessed was more extensive,
although even now the barbarians possess a large part of the country,
which, without dispute, is Greece. Macedonia is occupied by Thracians,
as well as some parts of Thessaly; the country above Acarnania and
Ætolia, by Thesproti, Cassopæi, Amphilochi, Molotti, and Athamanes,
Epirotic tribes.
2. We have already spoken of the Pelasgi. [2827] Some writers conjecture
that the Leleges and Carians are the same people; others, that they were
only joint settlers, and comrades in war, because there are said to be
some settlements called Settlements of the Leleges in the Milesian
territory, and in many parts of Caria there are burial-places of the
Leleges, and deserted fortresses, called Lelegia.
The whole country called Ionia was formerly inhabited by Carians and
Leleges; these were expelled by the Ionians, who themselves took
possession of the country. In still [CAS. 322] earlier times, the
captors of Troy[2828] had driven out the Leleges from the places about
Ida near the rivers Pedasus and Satnioeis.
The fact of the association of these people with the Carians may be
regarded as a proof of their being barbarians, and Aristotle, in his
Politics, shows that they were a wandering nation, sometimes in company
with the Carians, sometimes alone, and that from ancient times; for, in
speaking of the polity of the Acarnanians, he says that the Curetes
occupied a part of the country, and the Leleges (and after them the
Teleboæ) the western side. On the subject of the Ætolian polity, he
calls the present Locri, Leleges, and observes that they occupy Bœotia.
He repeats the same remark on the subject of the polity of the Opuntians
and Megareans. In speaking of the polity of the Leucadians, he mentions
an aboriginal by name, Leleges, and a grandson by his daughter of the
name of Teleboas, and besides two and twenty of his sons of the name of
Teleboas, some of whom inhabited Lucas. But we should chiefly rely upon
Hesiod, who thus speaks of them:
“For Locrus was the leader of the nation of the Leleges, whom
Jupiter, the son of Saturn, in his infinite wisdom, once gave as
subjects to Deucalion, a people gathered from among the nations
of the earth. ”
For it seems to me to be obscurely intimated by the etymology of the
name, Leleges, that they were a mixed people anciently collected
together, which had become extinct. And this may be said of the
Caucones, who exist no where at present, yet were formerly settled in
several places.
3. Although Greece was formerly composed of small nations, many in
number, and obscure; nevertheless their valour, and their separate
government by kings, prevented any difficulty in defining their
boundaries. As the greatest part of the country, however, is at present
uninhabited, and the settlements, especially the cities, have been
destroyed, it would be of no service, even if it were possible, to
ascertain the names of cities and regions occupied by obscure and
extinct people. This destruction, which began a long time since, still
continues in many parts in consequence of rebellion. It has been checked
by the Romans, who accepted the supreme authority from the inhabitants
and lodged soldiers in their houses.
Polybius says that Paulus [Emilius], after the defeat of the
Macedonians[2829] and their king Perseus, destroyed 70 cities of the
Epirotæ (most of which belonged to the Molotti) and reduced to slavery
150,000 of the inhabitants. Still, however, I shall endeavour, as far as
it is compatible with the design of this work, to describe, as far as I
am able, these places in detail, beginning from the sea-coast near the
Ionian Gulf, where the navigation out of the Adriatic terminates.
4. The first parts of this coast are those about Epidamnus and
Apollonia. From Apollonia to Macedonia is the Egnatian Way; its
direction is towards the east, and the distance is measured by pillars
at every mile, as far as Cypselus[2830] and the river Hebrus. [2831] The
whole distance is 535 miles. But reckoning, as the generality of persons
reckon, a mile at eight stadia, there may be 4280 stadia. And according
to Polybius, who adds two plethra, that is, the third of a stadium, to
every eight stadia, we must add 178 stadia more, a third part of the
number of miles. [2832] A traveller from Apollonia,[2833] and a traveller
from Epidamnus,[2834] on the same road, meet midway between the two
cities. The whole is called the Egnatian Way. The first part of it is
called the road to Candavia, which is an Illyrian mountain. It passes
through Lychnidus,[2835] a city, and Pylon, a place which separates
Illyria from Macedonia. Thence its direction is beside Barnus through
Heracleia, the Lyncestæ, and the Eordi, to Edessa[2836] and Pella,[2837]
as far as Thessalonica. [2838] Polybius says, that this is a distance of
267 miles. In travelling this road from the neighbourhood of Epidamnus
and Apollonia, on the right hand are the Epirotic nations situated on
the coast of the Sicilian Sea, and extending as far as the Gulf of
Ambracia;[2839] on the left are the Illyrian mountains, which we have
before described, and the nations that live near them, extending as far
as Macedonia and the Pæones.
[CAS. 323] From the Gulf of Ambracia the places next in order, inclining
to the east, and extending opposite to Peloponnesus, belong to Greece;
they terminate at the Ægean Sea, leaving the whole of Peloponnesus on
the right hand.
The country, from the commencement of the Macedonian and Pæonian
mountains, as far as the river Strymon,[2840] is inhabited by
Macedonians, and Pæones, and some of the Thracian mountain tribes. But
all the country on the other side the Strymon, as far as the mouth of
the Euxine Sea, and Mount Hæmus,[2841] belong to the Thracians, except
the coast, which is occupied by Greeks, some of whom are settled on the
Propontis,[2842] others on the Hellespont and on the Gulf Melas,[2843]
and others on the Ægean Sea.
The Ægean Sea waters two sides of Greece; first, the eastern side,
extending from the promontory Sunium[2844] to the north as far as the
Thermæan Gulf, and Thessalonica, a Macedonian city, which has, at
present, the largest population in these parts. Then the southern side,
which is a part of Macedonia, extending from Thessalonica to the
Strymon. Some writers assign the coast from the Strymon as far as
Nestus[2845] to Macedonia. For Philip showed the greatest solicitude to
obtain, and at length appropriated it to himself. He raised a very large
revenue from the mines, and from other sources which the richness of the
country afforded.
From Sunium to the Peloponnesus are the Myrtoan, the Cretan, and the
Libyan Seas, together with the Gulfs, as far as the Sicilian Sea, which
consist of the Gulfs of Ambracia, of Corinth, and of Crissa.
5. Theopompus says, that there are fourteen Epirotic nations. Of these,
the most celebrated are the Chaones and Molotti, because the whole of
Epirus was at one time subject, first to Chaones, afterwards to Molotti.
Their power was greatly strengthened by the family of their kings being
descended from the Æacidæ, and because the ancient and famous oracle of
Dodona[2846] was in their country. Chaones, Thesproti, and next after
these Cassopæi, (who are Thesproti,) occupy the coast, a fertile tract
reaching from the Ceraunian mountains to the Ambracian Gulf.
The voyage commencing from the Chaones eastward towards the Gulfs of
Ambracia and Corinth, and having the Ausonian Sea on the right, and
Epirus on the left, comprises 1300 stadia to the mouth of the Ambracian
Gulf. In this interval is Panormus,[2847] a large port in the middle of
the Ceraunian mountains. Next to this is Onchesmus,[2848] another
harbour, opposite to which are the western extremities of Corcyra,[2849]
and then again another port, Cassiope,[2850] (Cassope? ) whence to
Brundusium[2851] are 1700 stadia. It is the same distance to Tarentum
from another promontory more to the south than Cassiope, which is called
Phalacrum. Next after Onchesmus are Posidium, and Buthrotum,[2852]
(which is situated upon the mouth of the lake Pelodes, in a spot of a
peninsula form, and has a Roman colony,) and the Sybota. The
Sybota[2853] are small islands at a little distance from Epirus, lying
near Leucimme,[2854] the eastern promontory of Corcyra. There are also
other small islands, not worthy of notice, which are met with along the
coast.
Next is the promontory Chimerium, and a harbour called Glycys-Limen, [or
Sweet Harbour,] where the river Acheron, which receives several other
rivers, empties itself and renders fresh the water of the gulf. The
Thyamus[2855] flows near it. Above this gulf is situated Cichyrus,
formerly Ephyra, a city of the Thesproti, and above the gulf at
Buthrotum, Phœnice. [2856] Near Cichyrus is Buchetium, a small city of
the Cassopæi, situated at a little distance from the sea; Elatria,
Pandosia, and Batiæ are in the inland parts. Their territory extends as
far as the gulf. Next after the harbour Glycys-Limen are two others,
Comarus,[2857] the nearest and smallest, forming an isthmus of 60
stadia, near the Ambracian Gulf and Nicopolis,[2858] founded by Augustus
Cæsar; the other, the more distant and larger, and better harbour, is
near the mouth of the gulf, and distant from Nicopolis about 12 stadia.
6. Then follows the entrance of the Ambracian Gulf, [CAS. 326] which is
a little more than four stadia in width. The circuit of the gulf is 400
stadia, and the whole has good harbours. On sailing into it, on the
right hand are the Acarnanes, who are Greeks; and here near the entrance
of the gulf is a temple of Apollo Actius, situated on an eminence; in
the plain below is a sacred grove, and a naval station. Here Augustus
Cæsar[2859] dedicated as offerings one-tenth of the vessels taken in
war, from vessels of one bank to vessels of ten banks of oars. The
vessels, and the buildings destined for their reception, were destroyed,
it is said, by fire.
On the left hand are Nicopolis,[2860] and the Cassopæi, a tribe of the
Epirotæ, extending as far as the recess of the gulf at Ambracia.
Ambracia[2861] is situated a little above the recess of the bay, and was
founded by Gorgus, (Torgus, Tolgus,) the son of Cypselus. The river
Arathus flows beside it, which may be navigated up the stream to the
city, a distance of a few stadia. It rises in Mount Tymphe, and the
Paroræa. This city was formerly in a very flourishing condition, and
hence the gulf received its name from the city. Pyrrhus, however,
embellished it more than any other person, and made it a royal
residence. In later times,[2862] the Macedonians and Romans harassed
this and other cities by continual wars, caused by the refractory
disposition of the inhabitants, so that Augustus, at length perceiving
that these cities were entirely deserted, collected their remaining
inhabitants into one city, which he called Nicopolis, situated upon the
gulf. He called it after the victory which he obtained in front of the
gulf, over Antony, and Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, who was present in
the engagement.
Nicopolis is well peopled, and is improving every day. It has a large
territory, and is adorned with the spoils of war. In the suburbs is a
sacred enclosure; part of it is a grove, containing a gymnasium and a
stadium, intended for the celebration of quinquennial games; the other
part, on a rising ground overhanging the grove, is sacred to Apollo. The
Olympian game, called the Actia,[2863] is instituted there in honour of
Apollo Actius. It is under the superintendence of the Lacedæmonians. The
other surrounding settlements are dependent on Nicopolis. The Actian
games[2863] were formerly celebrated in honour of the god by the
neighbouring people; it was a contest in which the victor was crowned;
but Cæsar has conferred on it greater honours.
7. After Ambracia follows the Amphilochian Argos, founded by Alcmæon and
his sons. According to Ephorus, Alcmæon, after the expedition of the
Epigoni[2864] against Thebes, upon the solicitation of Diomed,
accompanied him in his invasion of Ætolia, and obtained joint possession
of this country and of Acarnania. When Agamemnon invited them to come to
the siege of Troy, Diomed went, but Alcmæon remained in Acarnania,
founded Argos, and gave it the name Amphilochian, after his brother
Amphilochus. On the same authority the river Inachus, which flows
through the country and empties itself into the bay, received its name
from the river in the Argive territory. Thucydides, however, says that
Amphilochus himself, upon his return from Troy, dissatisfied with the
state of things at Argos, passed over into Acarnania, and having
succeeded to the dynasty of his brother, founded the city which is
called after his name.
8. The Amphilochians are Epirotæ, as also are those nations who inhabit
a rugged country situated above and close to the Illyrian mountains, the
Molotti, Athamanes, Æthices, Tymphæi, Orestæ Paroræi, and Atintanes,
some of whom approach nearer to Macedonia, others to the Ionian Gulf. It
is said that Orestes possessed the territory Orestias at the time of his
flight, after the murder of his mother, and left the country [CAS. 327]
bearing his name, where also he had built a city called Orestic Argos.
With these people are intermixed Illyrian nations, some of whom are
situated on the southern part of the mountainous district, and others
above the Ionian Gulf. For above Epidamnus and Apollonia, as far as the
Ceraunian mountains, live the Bulliones, Taulantii, Parthini, and
Brygi. [2865]
Somewhere near are the silver mines of Damastium. Here the Perisadyes
had established their sway, and Enchelii, who are also called
Sesarethii. Then come the Lyncestæ, the territory Deuriopus,
Pelagonia-Tripolitis, the Eordi, Elimia, and Eratyra. Formerly each of
these nations was under its own prince. The chiefs of the Enchelii were
descendants of Cadmus and Harmonia, and scenes of the fables respecting
these persons are shown in the territory. This nation, therefore, was
not governed by native princes. The Lyncestæ were under Arrhabæus, who
was of the race of the Bacchiadæ. Irra was his daughter, and his
grand-daughter was Eurydice, the mother of Philip Amyntas.
The Molotti also were Epirotæ, and were subjects of Pyrrhus Neoptolemus,
the son of Achilles, and of his descendants, who were Thessalians. The
rest were governed by native princes. Some tribes were continually
endeavouring to obtain the mastery over the others, but all were finally
subdued by the Macedonians, except a few situated above the Ionian Gulf.
They gave the name of Upper Macedonia to the country about Lyncestis,
Pelagonia, Orestias, and Elimia. Later writers called it Macedonia the
Free, and some extend the name of Macedonia to all the country as far as
Corcyra, at the same time assigning as their reasons, the mode of
cutting their hair, their language, the use of the chlamys, and similar
things in which they resemble the Macedonians; some of them, however,
speak two languages. On the dissolution of the Macedonian empire, they
fell under the power of the Romans.
The Egnatian Way, from Epidamnus and Apollonia, passes through the
territory of these people. Near the road to Candavia are the lakes about
Lychnidus, which furnish large supplies of fish for salting, and rivers,
some of which empty themselves into the Ionian Gulf. Some flow towards
the south, as the Inachus, the Arathus, (Ratoüs,) the Achelous, and the
Evenus, formerly called Lycormas. The Ratoüs discharges its waters into
the Ambracian Gulf, the Inachus into the Achelous, the Achelous itself
into the sea, as also the Evenus; the former traverses Acarnania, the
latter Ætolia. The Erigon, after having received many streams which flow
from the Illyrian mountains, and through the territories of Lyncestæ,
Brygi, Deuriopes, and Pelagonians, empties itself into the Axius.
9. There were formerly cities among these nations. The district
Pelagonia-Tripolitis contained (as the name signifies) three cities, of
which Azorus was one. All the cities of the Deuriopes were situated on
the banks of the Erigon; among which were Bryanium, Alalcomenæ,[2866]
and Stymbara. [2867] Cydriæ belonged to the Brygi, and Æginium on the
confines of Æthicia, and Tricca, to the Tymphæi. Near Macedonia and
Thessalia, about the mountains Pœus and Pindus, are the Æthices, and the
sources of the Peneus, which are a subject of dispute between the
Tymphæi and the Thessalians, who are situated below Pindus.
On the banks of the river Ion is Oxynia, a city distant from Azorus in
the Tripolitis 120 stadia. Near Oxynia are Alalcomenæ, Æginium, Europus,
and the confluence of the Ion with the Peneus.
At that time then, as I said before, the whole of Epirus and Illyria
were well peopled, although the country is rugged and full of mountains,
such as Tomarus, and Polyanus, and many others. At present the greater
part is uninhabited, and the inhabited parts are left in the state of
villages, or in ruins. Even the oracle at Dodona has almost been
deserted, like the rest.
10. This oracle, according to Ephorus, was established by Pelasgi, who
are said to be the most ancient people that were sovereigns in Greece.
Thus the poet speaks,
“O great Pelasgic Dodonæan Jove;”[2868]
and Hesiod,
“He went to Dodona, the dwelling of the Pelasgi, and to the beech
tree. ”
[CAS. 328] I have spoken of the Pelasgi in the account of Tyrrhenia.
With respect to Dodona, Homer clearly intimates that the people who
lived about the temple were barbarians, from their mode of life,
describing them as persons who do not wash their feet, and who sleep on
the ground. Whether we should read Helli, with Pindar, or Selli, as it
is conjectured the word existed in Homer, the ambiguity of the writing
does not permit us to affirm confidently. Philochorus says, that the
country about Dodona was called, like Eubœa, Hellopia; for these are the
words of Hesiod,
“There is a country Hellopia, rich in corn-fields and pastures;
at its extremity is built Dodona. ”
It is supposed, says Apollodorus, that it had this name from the “hele,”
or marshes about the temple. He is of opinion that the poet did not call
the people about the temple Helli, but Selli, adding, that Homer
mentions a certain river (near) of the name of Selleis. He specifies the
name in this line,
“At a distance far from Ephyra, from the river Selleis. ”
[Demetrius of Skepsis contends that] Ephyra of Thesprotia is not here
meant, but Ephyra of Elis. For the river Selleis is in Elis, and there
is no river of this name either in Thesprotia or among the Molotti. The
fable of the oak and the doves, and other similar things, like the
stories connected with Delphi, although they are subjects more adapted
to engage the attention of a poet, yet are appropriate to the
description of the country with which we are now occupied.
Dodona was formerly subject to the Thesproti, as was the mountain
Tomarus, or Tmarus, (both names are in use,) below which the temple is
situated. The tragic writers and Pindar give the epithet of Thesprotis
to Dodona. It was said to be subject, in later times, to the Molotti.
Those called by the poet Jove’s interpreters,[2869] and described by him
as men with unwashen feet, who slept on the ground, were, it is said,
called Tomuri[2870] from Mount Tomarus, and the passage in the Odyssey
containing the advice of Amphinomus to the suitors not to attack
Telemachus before they had inquired of Jupiter is as follows,
“If the Tomuri of great Jove approve, I myself will kill him, and
I will order all to join in the deed; but if the god forbid it, I
command to withhold. ”[2871]
For it is better, it is asserted, to write Tomuri[2872] than
Themistæ,[2873] because in no passage whatever are oracles called by the
poet Themistæ, this term being applied to decrees,[2874] or statutes and
rules of civil government; and the persons are called Tomuri,[2875]
which is the contracted form of Tomaruri,[2876] or guardians of Tomarus.
In Homer, however, we must understand θέμιστες in a more simple sense,
and, like βουλαί, by the figure Catachresis, as meaning commands and
oracular injunctions as well as laws; for such is the import of this
line:
“To listen to[2877] the will of Jove, which comes forth from the
lofty and verdant oak. ”
12. The first prophets were men, and this the poet perhaps indicates,
for he calls the persons interpreters,[2878] among whom the
prophets[2879] might be classed. In after-times three old women were
appointed to this office, after even Dione had a common temple with
Jupiter.
Suidas, in order to court the favour of the Thessalians by fabulous
stories, says, that the temple was transported from Scotussa of the
Thessalian Pelasgiotis, accompanied by a great multitude, chiefly of
women, whose descendants are the present prophetesses, and that hence
Jupiter had the epithet Pelasgic. Cineas relates what is still more
fabulous * * * * * * * * * *
[With the exception of the following Fragments, the rest of this
book is lost. ]
FRAGMENTS. [2880]
1. The oracle was formerly at Scotussa, a city of Pelasgiotis, but was
transferred to Dodona by the command of Apollo, after some persons had
burnt down the tree. The oracular answers were not conveyed by words,
but by certain signs, as at the oracle of Ammon in Libya. Probably the
three doves made some peculiar flight, which, observed by the
priestesses, suggested the oracular answer. Some say that, in the
language of the Molotti and Thesprotæ, old women are called “peliæ,” and
old men “pelii,” so that the celebrated doves were probably not birds,
but three old women who passed an idle time about the temple. EPIT.
2. Among the Thesprotæ and Molotti old women are called “peliæ,” and old
men “pelii,” as among the Macedonians. Persons at least who hold office
are called “peligones,” as among the Laconians and Massilienses they are
called “gerontes. ” Hence it is asserted that the story of the doves in
the oak at Dodona is a fable. E.
3. The proverb, “The brazen vessel of Dodona,” thus arose. In the temple
was a brazen vessel, having over it a statue of a man (an offering of
the Corcyræans) grasping in the hand a brazen scourge of three thongs,
woven in chains, from which were suspended small bones. The bones
striking continually upon the brazen vessel, whenever they were agitated
by the wind, produced a long protracted sound, so that a person from the
beginning to the end of the vibrations might proceed to count as far as
four hundred. Whence also came the proverb, “The Corcyræan
scourge. ”[2881] EPIT.
4. Pæonia is to the east of these nations, and to the west of the
Thracian mountains; on the north it lies above Macedonia. Through the
city Gortynium and Stobi it admits of a passage to * * * (through which
the Axius flows, and renders the access difficult from Pæonia into
Macedonia, as the Peneus flowing through Tempe protects it on the side
of Greece. ) On the south, Pæonia borders on the Autariatæ, the Dardanii,
and the Ardiæi; it extends also as far as the Strymon. E.
5. The Haliacmon[2882] flows into the Thermæan Gulf. E.
6. Orestis is of considerable extent; there is in it a large mountain
which reaches to Corax[2883] of Ætolia and to Parnassus. It is inhabited
by the Orestæ themselves, by the Tymphæans, and by Greeks without the
isthmus, namely, those who also occupy Parnassus, Œta, and Pindus. As a
whole, the mountain is called by one name, Boion, (Pœum ? ) but the
separate divisions bear various names. The Ægean, Ambracian, and Ionian
Seas are said to be distinguishable from the highest elevations, but
this appears to me to be an extravagant assertion; for Pteleum rises to
a considerable height, and is situated near the Ambracian Gulf,
stretching on one side to the Corcyræan and on the other to the
Leucadian Seas. E.
7. Corcyra, humbled by many wars, became a subject of ridicule, and
passed into a proverb. E.
8. Corcyra was formerly a flourishing place, and possessed a
considerable naval force, but went into decay through war and the
oppression of its rulers. In later times, although restored to liberty
by the Romans, it acquired no renown, but the taunting proverb was
applied to it, “Corcyra the Free, ease yourself where you please. ” EPIT.
9. Of Europe, there remains Macedonia, and the parts of Thrace
contiguous to it, extending to Byzantium, Greece also, and the adjacent
islands: indeed, Macedonia is a part of Greece. Following, however, the
natural character of the country and its form, we have determined to
separate it from Greece, and to unite it with Thrace, which borders upon
it. ——Strabo, after a few remarks, mentions Cypsela[2884] and the river
Hebrus. [2885] He also describes a parallelogram in which is placed the
whole of Macedonia. E.
10. Macedonia is bounded on the west by the sea-coast of the Adriatic;
on the east by a meridian line parallel to this coast, passing through
the mouth of the river Hebrus, and the city Cypsela; on the north by an
imaginary straight line passing through the mountains Bertiscus,
Scardus,[2886] Orbelus,[2887] Rhodope,[2888] and Hæmus. [2889] For these
mountains extend in a straight line, beginning from the Adriatic, to the
Euxine, forming towards the south a great peninsula, which comprehends
Thrace, Macedonia, Epirus, and Achaia. On the south, Macedonia is
bounded by the Egnatian Way, which goes from Dyrrachium eastwards to
Thessalonica, and thus has very nearly the form of a parallelogram.
EPIT.
11. The country now called Macedonia was formerly called Emathia. It
acquired this name from Macedon, one of its ancient princes. There was
also a city Emathia near the sea. The country was occupied by some of
the Epirotæ and Illyrians, but the greatest part by Bottiæi and
Thracians. The Bottiæi were of Cretan origin, and came under the command
of Botton; the Pieres, who were Thracians, inhabited Pieria and the
parts about Olympus; the Pæonians, the borders of the river Axius, from
whence the region was called Amphaxitis; the Edoni and Bisalti, the rest
of the country as far as the Strymon. The Bisalti retained their name,
but the Edoni went under the various names of Mygdones, Edoni, (Odones? )
and Sithones. Of all these people, the Argeadæ and the Chalcidenses of
Eubœa became the chief. The Chalcidenses came from Eubœa into the
territory of the Sithones, and there founded about thirty cities. They
were subsequently driven out by the Sithones, but the greater part of
them collected together into a single city, namely, Olynthus. [2890] They
had the name of Chalcidenses-in-Thrace. E.
12. The Peneus separates Lower Macedonia and the sea-board from Thessaly
and Magnesia. The Haliacmon is the boundary of Upper Macedonia; and the
Haliacmon, the Erigon, the Axius, and other rivers, form the boundary
between Macedonia and the Epirotæ and the Pæonians. E.
13. If a line is drawn from the recess of the Thermaic Gulf, on the
sea-coast of Macedonia, and from Thessalonica, southwards, to Sunium,
and another eastwards, towards the Thracian Chersonese, an angle will be
made in the recess. Macedonia extends in both directions, and we must
begin with the line first mentioned. The first part of it has beyond it
Attica with Megaris to the Crissæan Bay. Next succeeds the sea-coast of
Bœotia near Eubœa. Above Eubœa on the west lies the rest of Bœotia,
parallel with Attica. Strabo says that the Egnatian Way begins from the
Ionian Gulf and ends at Thessalonica. E.
14. From these reefs, says Strabo, we shall first mark the boundaries of
those who live about the river Peneus and Haliacmon near the sea. The
Peneus flows from Mount Pindus through the middle of Thrace eastwards;
passing through the cities of the Lapithæ and some of the cities of the
Perrhæbi, it arrives at the vale of Tempe, having in its course received
the waters of several rivers: of these, the Europus (Eurotas) is one,
called by the poet Titaresius. It rises from Titarius, (Titarus,) a
mountain continuous with Olympus, which at this point first begins to
mark the boundary between Macedonia and Thessaly. Tempe is a narrow
valley between Olympus and Ossa. The Peneus continues its course from
this narrow pass 40 stadia, having Olympus, the highest of the
Macedonian mountains, on the left, [and Ossa on the right, near] the
mouth of the river. At the mouth of the Peneus on the right is situated
Gyrton, a city of the Perrhæbi, and Magnetis, where Pirithous and Ixion
were kings. The city Crannon is 100 stadia distant from Gyrton. Some
assert, that in the lines of Homer, “These two from Thrace,” and what
follows, for Ephyri we are to understand Crannonii, and for Phlegyes,
the people of Gyrton. Pieria is on the other side. E.
15. The Peneus, rising in Mount Pindus, flows through Tempe, the middle
of Thessaly, the Lapithæ, and the Perrhæbi. It receives the Europus,
(Eurotas,) which Homer calls Titaresius, in its course, and forms on the
north the boundary of Macedonia, and on the south that of Thessaly. The
sources of the river Europus are in Mount Titarius, which is contiguous
to Olympus. Olympus itself is in Macedonia; Ossa and Pelion in Thessaly.
EPIT.
16. At the roots of Olympus, and on the banks of the Peneus, is Gyrton,
a Perrhæbic city, and Magnetis, where Pirithous and Ixion ruled. [The
city] Crannon is [100 stadia] distant [from Gyrton]; and it is said that
when the poet writes “Both from Thrace,” we are to understand by Ephyri,
the Crannonians, and by Phlegyes, the Gyrtonii. EPIT.
17. The city Dium is not on the sea-shore of the Thermæan Gulf, at the
roots of Olympus, but is about 7 stadia distant. Near Dium is a village
Pimplea, where Orpheus lived. EPIT.
18. Beneath Olympus is Dium; near it is a village, Pimplea, where it is
said Orpheus lived. He was a Cicon (of the tribe of the Cicones) and was
a diviner. At first he drew people about him by the practice of music
and witchcraft, and by the introduction of mysterious ceremonies in
religious worship. After a time, obtaining a greater degree of
self-importance, he collected a multitude of followers, and acquired
influence. He had many willing followers, but becoming suspected by a
few of entertaining secret designs, and of an intention of taking
forcible possession of power, he was attacked by them and put to death.
Near this place is Libethra. E.
19. Anciently diviners practised the art of music. EPIT.
20. After Dium follow the mouths of the Haliacmon; then Pydna, Methone,
Alorus, and the rivers Erigon and Ludias. The Ludias flows from
Triclari, through the Oresti and the Pellæan country (Pelagonia):
leaving the city on the left it falls into the Axius. The Ludias is
navigable up the stream to Pella 120 stadia. Methone is situated in the
middle, about 40 stadia distant from Pydna, and 70 stadia from Alorus.
Alorus is situated in the farthest recess of the Thermæan Gulf. It was
called Thessalonica on account of the splendid [victory obtained over
the Thessalians]. Alorus is considered as belonging to Bottiæa and Pydna
to Pieria. Pella is in Lower Macedonia, which was in possession of the
Bottiæi. Here was formerly the Macedonian Treasury. Philip, who was
brought up in this place, raised it from an inconsiderable city to some
importance. It has a citadel situated on a lake called Ludias. From this
lake issues the river Ludias, which is filled by a branch of the Axius.
The Axius discharges itself between Chalastra and Therma. Near this
river is a fortified place, now called Abydos; Homer calls it Amydon,
and says that the Pæonians came from hence to assist the Trojans during
the siege of Troy.
“From afar, from Amydon, from Axius’ wide stream. ”
It was razed by the Argeadæ. E.
21. The water of the Axius is turbid. Homer, however, says that the
water is “most beautiful,” probably on account of a spring called Æa
which runs into it, the water of which is of surpassing clearness. This
is sufficient to prove that the present reading in the poem is
erroneous. After the Axius is the Echedorus,[2891] 20 stadia distant.
Then Thessalonica, founded by Cassander, 40 stadia farther on, and the
Egnatian Way. He named the city after his wife Thessalonice, the
daughter of Philip Amyntas, and pulled down nearly 26 cities in the
district of Crucis, and on the Thermæan Gulf, collecting the inhabitants
into one city. It is the metropolis of the present Macedonia. The cities
transferred to Thessalonica were Apollonia, Chalastra, Therma, Garescus,
Ænea, and Cissus. Cissus, it is probable, belonged to Cisseus, who is
mentioned by the poet. “Cisseus educated him,” meaning Iphidamas. E.
22. After the city Drium is the river Haliacmon, which discharges itself
into the Thermæan Gulf.
