 Section 18 of THE NATURAL HISTORY, Volume 1. THE NATURAL HISTORY, Volume 1, by Pliny the Elder, translated by John Bostock and Henry Thomas Riley. Section 18, Book 3, chapters 8 and 9. Chapter 8. The Seventh Region of Italy. Next to this comes the Seventh Region, in which is Etruria, a district which begins at the river Makra, and has often changed its name. At an earlier period the Umbri were expelled from it, by the Pulaski, and he is again by the Lydians, who from a king of theirs were named the Tirheni, but afterwards from the rites observed in their sacrifices were called in the Greek language Tuski. The first town in Etruria is Luna, with a noble harbor, then the colony of Luka, at some distance from the sea, and nearer to it again the colony of Pisai, between the rivers Ausir and the Arnus, which owes its origin to Pelops and the Pisians, or else to the Tutani, a people of Greece. Next is Vada Voleterana, then the river Kechina, and Populonium, formerly belonging to the Etrurians, the only town they had on this coast. Next to these is the river Prele, then the Umbro, which is navigable, and where the district of Umbria begins, the port of Telemann, Cosa of the Volkientes, founded by the Roman people, Graviscae, Castrum Novum, Piragi, the river Cairetanus, and Caire itself, four miles inland, called Agila by the Pulaski who founded it, Auseum, Fregeni, and the river Tiber, 284 miles from the Makra. In the interior we have the colonies of Faliski, founded by the Argives, according to the account of Cato, and surname Faliski Etruscorum, Luchus Foroni, Ruselana, the Siences, and Sutrina. The remaining peoples are the Eretini, Veteris, the Eretini Fidentes, the Eretini Juliences, and the Amitinences, the Acuenses, surnamed Tarini, the Blerani, the Cortonenses, the Campenates, the Clucini Novi, the Clucini Veteres, the Florentini, situated on the stream of the Arnos, Faisulae, Ferentinum, Fescania, Hortanum, Erbanum, Nepeta, Novumpagi, the Claudian prefecture of Forochlodium, Pistorium, Peruzia, the Swanenses, the Satorini, formerly called the Arini, the Subbertani, the Stetones, the Tarquinenses, the Tuscanenses, the Vetulonienses, the Vientani, the Vientini, the Vicentini, the Vola Tarani, the Volcantini, surnamed Etruschi, and the Volcinienses. In the same district the territories of Crustumerium and Caletra retain the names of the ancient towns. Chapter 9 The First Region of Italy, the Tiber, Rome. The Tiber, or Tiberis, formerly called Thibris, and previously Arbula, flows down from nearly the central part of the chain of the Apennines and the territory of the Erritini. It is at first small and only navigable by means of sluices, in which the water is dammed up and then discharged in the same manner as the Timia and the Glanius which flow into it, for which purpose it is found necessary to collect the water for nine days, unless there should happen to be a fall of rain, and even then the Tiber, by reason of its rugged and uneven channel, is really more suitable for navigation by rafts than by vessels for any great distance. It winds along for a course of 150 miles, passing not far from Tifernum, Perusia, and Oriculum, and dividing Etruria from the Umbri and the Sabini, and then at a distance of no less than 16 miles from the city, separating the territory of Veii from that of Crustunium, and afterwards that of the Finanates and of Latium from Vatucanum. Below its union with the Glanius from Erritinum, the tiger is swollen by two and forty streams, particularly the gnar and the anio, which last is also navigable and shuts in Latium at the back. It is also increased by the numerous aqueducts and springs which are conveyed to the city. Here it becomes navigable by vessels of any burden which may come up from the Italian sea, a most tranquil dispenser of the produce of all parts of the earth, and peopled and embellished along its banks, with more villas than nearly all the other rivers of the world taken together. And yet there is no river more circumscribed than it, so close are its banks shut in on either side. But still no resistance does it offer, although its waters frequently arise with great suddenness, and no part is more liable to be swollen than that which runs through the city itself. In such case, however, the tiber is rather to be looked upon as pregnant with prophetic warnings to us, and in its increase to be considered as more promoter of religion than a source of devastation. Latium has preserved its original limits from the tiber to Kierkei, a distance of 50 miles, so slender at the beginning were the roots from which this, our empire, sprang. Its inhabitants have often changed, and different nations have peopled it at different times. The Aborigines, the Pelaschi, the Arcades, the Sekuli, the Aroniki, the Rutuli, and beyond Kierkei, the Volski, the Oski, and the Ausones, whence the name of Latium came to be extended as far as the river Lyrus. We will begin with Astia, a colony founded by a king of Rome, the town of Laurentium, the grove of Jupiter, Indigase, the river Numicus and Ardea, founded by Donai, the mother of Perseus. Next come the former site of Aphrodisium, the colony of Antium, the river and island called Astora, the river Numphius, the close to Romana and Kierkei, formerly an island, and if we are to believe Homer, surrounded by open sea, though now by an extensive plane. The circumstances which we are enabled to publish on this subject for the information of the world are very remarkable. Theophrastus, the first foreigner who treated of the affairs of the Rome with any degree of accuracy, for Theopompus, before, whose no time Greek writer had made any mention of us, only stated the fact that the city had been taken by the Gauls, and Clitarchus, the next after him, only spoke of the embassy which was sent by the Romans to Alexander. Theophrastus, I say, following something more than mere rumour, has given the circuit of the island of Kierkei as being Adi Stadia, in the volume which he wrote during the archonship of Nicodorus at Athens, being the 440th year of our city. Whatever land, therefore, has been annexed to that island beyond the circumference of about ten miles has been added to Italy since the year previously mentioned. Another wonderful circumstance, too, New Yorker Kierkei, are the Pompine marshes, formerly the site according to Mucanius, who was thrice council, of four and twenty cities. Next to this comes the river Uphens, upon which is the town of Terechina, called, in the language of the Voschi, Anzor, the spot, too, where Amiclai stood, a town destroyed by serpents. Next is the site of the grotto, Lake Fudanus, the port of Caita, and then the town of Formaei, formerly called Hormaei, the ancient seat of the Lystrogones, it is opposed. Beyond this formerly stood the town of Pirae, and we then come to the colony of Mentornae, which still exists, and is divided by the river Lyrus, also called the Glanus. The town of Sinuesa is the last in the portion which has been added to Latium. It is said by some that it used to be called Sinope. At this spot begins the blessed country, Pania, and in this veil first take their rise those hills clad with vines, the juice of whose grape is extolled by fame all over the world. The happy spot where, as the ancients used to say, Father Liber in Ceres, are ever striving for the mastery. Hence the fields of Cetia, and Caicubum, extend afar, and next to those of Falernum, and of Calinum. As soon as we have passed these, the hills of Messiae, of Gaurus, and of the Sarentum rise to our view. Next the level plains of Laborium are spread out far and wide, where every care is bestowed on cultivating crops of spelt, from which the most delicious fermentee is made. These shores are watered by warm springs, while the seas have distinguished beyond all others for the superlative excellence of their shell and other fish. In no country too is the oil of the olive a more exquisite flavor. This territory, a battleground as it were for the gratification of every luxurious pleasure of man, has been held successively by the Osci, the Greeks, the Umbri, the Tusci, and the Campani. On the coast we first meet with the river Savo, the town of Vorturnum, with the river of the same name, the town of Laternum, Kumai, a Calcidian colony, Messianum, the port of Ba'i'i, Baoli, the Lucrine lake, and Lake Avernus, near which there formerly stood a town of the Chimerians. We then come to Putioli, formerly called the colony of Dicaiarchia, then the Phylaigreum plains, and the marsh of Acerusa in the vicinity of Kumai. Again on the coast we have Neapolis, also a colony of the Calcidians, and called Parthenope, from the tomb there of one of the Sirens. Hercolaneum, Pompeii, from which the Mount Vesuvius may be seen in no great distance, and which is watered by the river Sarnus, the territory of Nukeria, and at the distance of nine miles from the sea, the town of that name, and then Sarentum, with the promontory of Minerva, formerly the abode of the Sirens. This thence by sea to Chercheii is seventy-eight miles. This region, beginning at the Tiber, is looked upon as the first of Italy, according to the division of Augustus. Inland there are the following colonies, Capua, so-called from its Champaign country, Aquinum, Suessa, Venafrum, Sora, Tianum, surname Siddiquanum, Nola, and the towns of Arbella, Arichia, Albalonga, the Acarane, the Alephane, the Altenates, the Aletrenates, the Anegnini, the Atalane, the Afilane, the Arpinates, the Auxumates, the Abelani, the Alphaterane, both of those who took their names from the Latin, the Hercanean, and the Labikanean territory. Boviii, Calatia, Cassinum, Calenum, Capetulunum, of the Hercini, and the Chercatini, surnamed Mariani, the Corcane, the Corani, descended from the Trojan Dardanus, the Coupoterni, the Castrimoniensis, Kingullani, the Fabensis, on the Albemount, and the Foro Popliensis, of the Filionian district, the Frucinates, the Ferentinates, the Fregiantes, the Old Frabiterani, the New Frabiterani, the Ficulenses, the Frigallani, Forum Appii, the Ferentani, the Gabini, the Interumnatis of Cassini, also surnamed Lerenates, the Ueonenses Laviniii, the Nobani, the Nomentani, the Pranestini, whose city was formerly called Stefani, the Privernates, the Cetini, the Cignini, the Suasalani, the Telesini, the Trebulani, surnamed Baliences, the Trebani, the Tusculani, the Verulani, the Veletriani, the Ulubrences, the Urbinates, and last and greater than all, Rome herself, whose other name, the hallowed mysteries of the sacred rites, forbid us to mention without being guilty of the greatest impiety. After it had been long kept buried in secrecy by the strictest fidelity and in respectful and salutary silence, Valerius Seranus dared to divulge it, but soon did he pay the penalty of his rashness. It will not perhaps be altogether foreign to the purpose, if I here make mention, of one peculiar institution of our forefathers which bears a special reference to the inculcation of silence on religious matters, the goddess Angorona, to whom sacrifice is offered on the twelfth day before the Calens of January, 21st of December, is represented in having her mouth bound by a sealed fillet. Romulus left the city of Rome if we are to believe those who state the very greatest number, having three gates and no more. When the Vespasians were emperors and censors in the year, from its beginning, 826, the circumference of the walls which surrounded it was thirteen miles and two-fifths. Surrounding as it does the seven hills, the city is divided into fourteen districts, with 265 crossroads under the guardianship of the Lares. If a straight line is drawn from the mile column placed at the entrance of the forum to each of the gates, which are at present 37 in number, taking care to count only once the twelve double gates and to admit the seven old ones which no longer exist, the result will be, taken them all together, a straight line of twenty miles and 765 paces. But if we draw a straight line from the same mile column to the very last of the houses, including therein the Praetorian encampment, and follow throughout the line of all the streets, the result then will be something more than seventy miles. Add to these calculations the height of the houses, and then a person may form a fair idea of this city, and will certainly be obliged to admit that there is not a place throughout the whole world that for size can compare to it. On the eastern side it is bounded by the agar of Tarquinius superbus, a work of surpassing grandeur, for he raised it so high as to be on level with the walls on the side on which the city lay most exposed to the attack from the neighboring plains. On all the other sides it had been fortified either with lofty walls or steep and precipitous hills, but so it is that its buildings, increasing and extending beyond all bounds, have now united many other cities to it. Besides those previously mentioned, there were formerly, in the first region, the following famous towns of Latium, Satricum, Pometia, Scapia, Pollutorium, Teleni, Tifata, Cainina, Ficana, Customerium, Ameriola, Medulum, Customereum, and Croniculum, Saturnia, on the side of the present city of Rome, and Tipulus, now Geniculum, forming part of Rome, and Temnai, Camerium, Calatia, Ametinum, Norbe, Somo, and with these those Alban nations who used to take part in the sacrifices upon the Alban mount, the Albani, the Aisulani, the Acienses, the Abolani, the Bubitani, the Bolani, Husuetani, the Coriolani, the Fidentes, the Fidenates, the Foretii, the Hortenses, the Latinenses, the Longulani, the Manates, the Marales, the Mutocomences, the Munienses, the Numinenses, the Oliculani, the Actulani, the Pedani, the Puluschini, the Quacuatulani, the Cicane, the Cisulenses, the Tolerenses, the Tutienses, the Vimiti Larii, the Veleenses, the Venetulani, and the Vitilenses. Thus we see 53 people of ancient Latium have passed away without leaving any traces of their existence. In the Campanian territory there was also the town of Stabiay until the consulship of Nias Pompeius and Lucius Cato, when on the day before the calends of May, April 30th, it was destroyed in the social war by Lucius Sulla, the Legatus, and all that now stands on its side is a single farmhouse. Here also Tarania has ceased to exist, and the remains of Casillinum are fast going to ruin. Besides these we learn from Antius that King Lucius Tarquinius took Apioli, a town of the Latins, and with its spoils laid the first foundations of the capital. From Surrentum to this river Salaris, the former territory of Picantia extends for a distance of 30 miles. This belonged to the Etruscans and was remarkable for the temple of the Argyve Juno, founded by Jason. It was in Picantia, a town of the territory of Cerulernum. End of Section 18 Section 19 of the Natural History, Volume 1. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Natural History, Volume 1, by Pliny the Elder, translated by John Bostock and Henry Thomas Reilly. Section 19 Book 3, chapters 10 through 14. The Third Region of Italy. Sixty-four islands, among which are the Balares, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily. Chapter 10 The Third Region of Italy At the Salaris begins the Third Region of Italy, consisting of the territory of Lucania and Brutium. Here, too, there have been no few changes of the population. These districts have been possessed by the Pallaschi, the Oenotrii, the Italii, the Morghetes, the Siculi, and more especially by the people who immigrated from Greece, and, last of all, by the Leucani, a people sprung from the Samnites who took possession under the command of Luchius. We find here the town of Paistum, which received from the Greeks the name of Posidonia, the Gulf of Paistum, the town of Aelia, now known as Welea, and the promontory of Palenaurium, a point at which the land falls inward and forms a bay, the distance across which to the pillar of Regium is 100 miles. Next, after Palenaurium, comes the river Melpes, then the town of Buxentum, called in Magna Graica, Pikesis. In the river Laos, there was formerly a town also of the same name. At this spot begins the coast of Brutium, and we come to the town of Blanda, the river Batum, Parthenius, a port of the Phocians, the bay of Vibo, a place where Clampetia formally stood, the town of Thamesa, called Thamesi by the Greeks, and Therina, founded by the people of Crotona, with the extensive Gulf of Therina, more inland the town of Consentia. Situate upon a peninsula is the river Acheron, from which the people of Acherontia derive the name of their town. Then Hippo, now called Vibo Valentia, the port of Hercules, the river Mataros, the town of Taronentum, the port of Orestes and Medma. Next the town of Scalaio, the river Crates, the mother of Scala, it is said. Then the pillar of Regium, the Straits of Sicily, and the two promontories which face each other. Therinies on the Italian and Pelorus on the Sicilian side, the distance between them, being 12 Stadia. At a distance thence of 12 and a half miles, we come to Regium, after which begins Silla, a forest of the Apennines, and then the promontory of Leochepetra, at a distance of 15 miles. After which come the Locri, who take their surname from the promontory of Zepherium, being a distance from the river Silaris, 303 miles. At this spot ends the first Great Gulf of Europe, the seas in which bear the following names, that from which it takes its rise is called the Atlantic, by some the Great Atlantic, the entrance of which by the Greeks is called Porthmos, by us the Strait of Gades. After its entrance, as far as it washes the coast of Spain, it is called the Espanian Sea, though some give it the name of the Iberian or Bilaric Sea, where it faces the province of Gallic Narbonensis, it has the name of the Gallic, and after that of the Ligorian Sea. From Ligoria to the island of Sicily, it is called the Tuscan Sea, the same which it is called by the Greeks, the Notian, by others the Therhenian. While many of our people call it the Lower Sea. Beyond Sicily, as far as the country of the Salentini, it is styled by Polybius, the Ausonian Sea. Eratosthenes, however, gives to the whole expanse that lies between the inlet of the ocean and the island of Sardinia, the name of the Sardoan Sea, thence the Sicily, the Therhenian, thence to Crete, the Sicilian, and beyond that island, the Cretian Sea. Chapter 11. 64 Islands, among which are the Balares. The first islands that we meet, in those seas, are the two which the Greeks have given the name of Pitousae, from the pine trees which they produce. These islands now bear the name of Ebusus, and form a Federate State. They are separated by a narrow strait of the sea, and are 46 miles in extent. They are the distance, from Deanum, 700 Stadia, Deana by land being the same distance from New Carthage. At the same distance from the Pitousae lie, in the open sea, the two Balares, and over against the river Sukro, Colubraria. The Balares, so formidable in war with their slingers, have received from the Greeks the name of Gymnasae. The larger island is 100 miles in length, and 475 in circumference. It has the following towns, Palma and Polyntia, enjoying the rights of Roman citizens, Chineum and Tuques, with Latin rights. Bocorum, a Federate town, is no longer in existence. At 30 miles distance is the smaller island, 40 miles in length, and 150 in circumference. It contains the states of Hamnon, Sanicera, and Magon. In the open sea, at 12 miles distance from the larger island, is Capraria, with its treacherous coast, so notorious for its numerous shipwrecks, and opposite to the city of Palma, are the islands known as the Minariae, Tiquadra, and the little Anibalus. The earth of Ebusus has the effect of driving away serpents, while that of Colubraria produces them. Hence the latter spot is dangerous to all persons who have not brought with them some of the earth of Ebusus. The Greeks have given it the name of Ofiusa. Ebusus, too, produces no rabbits to destroy the harvests of the Balares. There are also about twenty other small islands in the sea, which are full of shoals. Off the coast of Gaul, at the mouth of the Rodanus, there is Metina, and nearer at the island, which is known as Blascon, with the three Stoicades, so called by their neighbors, the Massilians, on account of the regular order in which they are placed. Their respective names are Prote, Mese, also called Pomponiana, and Hypaea. After these comes Strurium, Fouenice, Fila, Lero, and opposite to Antipolis, Lerina, where there is a resemblance of a town called Vogionum having once existed. CHAPTER XII Korsica In the Ligurian Sea, but close to the Tuscan, is Korsica, by the Greeks called Curnos, extending from north to south one hundred and fifty miles, and for the most part fifty miles in breadth, its circumference being three hundred and twenty-five. It is sixty-two miles distant, from the Vada Willaterna. It contains thirty-two states and two colonies, that of Mariana, founded by Gaius Marius, and that of Alleria, founded by the dictator Scylla. On this side of it is Oglasa, and at a distance of less than sixty miles from Korsica, Planaria, so called from its appearance, being so nearly level with the sea and consequently dangerous to mariners. We next have Urgo, a larger island, and Capraria, which the Greeks have called Aiglion, then Aegilium, and Dionium, which they have also called Artemisia, both of them opposite the coast of Cosa, also Barpana, Minaria, Columbaria, and Wenaria. We then come to Ilva, with its Iron Mines, an island one hundred miles in circumference, ten miles distance from Populonum, and also called Aethalia by the Greeks. From it the island of Planacia is distant twenty-eight miles. After these, beyond the mouth of the Tiber, and off the coast of Antium, we come to Astora, then Palmaria, and Sinonia, and opposite to Formii, Pontii. In the Gulf of Putioli are Pandatiera and Fokaita, so called not from the nurse of Aeneas, but because it has been poured forth or detached from Inaria, an island which received its name from having been the anchorage of the fleet of Aeneas, though called by Homer, Inarimi. It is also called Pithecusa, not as many a fancied on account of the multitudes of apes found there, but from its extensive manufacturers of pottery. Between Paulisipum and Neopolis lies the island of Megaris, and then at a distance of eight miles from Sorentum, Capriai, famous for the castle of the Emperor Tiberius. It is eleven miles in circumference. CHAPTER XIII. Sardinia. Laocothea comes next, and after it, but out of sight, as it lies upon the verge of the African Sea, Sardinia. It is situate somewhat less than eight miles from the nearest point of Corsica, and the straits between them are even still more reduced by the small islands they're situate, called the Kunacalei, as also those of Fintonis and Fosai, from which last the straits themselves have obtained the name of Tafros. Sardinia extends upon the east side, a distance of one hundred and eighty-eight miles, on the west one hundred and seventy-five, on the south seventy-seven, and on the north one hundred and twenty-five, being five hundred and sixty-five miles in circumference. Its promontory of Carolus is distance from Africa two hundred, and from Gades fourteen hundred miles. Off the promontory of Gordus it has two islands called the Isles of Hercules, off that of Succus, the island of Aeneus, and off that of Carolus, Vicaria. Some writers place Balaris, not far from it, as also Calodus, and the islands known as Harris-Lutra. The most celebrated peoples of this island are the Iliensis, the Balaare, and the Corsi, and among its eighteen towns there are those of the Socatani, the Valenti, the Valentini, the Neopalatani, the Bonsenes, the Carillatani, who enjoy the rights of Roman citizens, and the Nornensis. There is also one colony which is called Adtorum Libisonis. Timaeus is called this island Sandaliotus, on account of its similarity of its shape to the soul of Eshu, while Myrtilus is given it the name of Ignusa, from its resemblance to the print of a footstep. Opposite to the Gulf of Paisdum is Leocacia, so called from Asyron, who is buried there. Opposite to Aelia are Pontia and Isachia, both known by one name, that of the Eodentreides, a proof that Italy was formally possessed by the Eotronians. Opposite to Vibol are the little islands called Ithicaeae, from the watchtower of Ulysses, situate there. Chapter 14. Sicily. But more celebrated than all is Sicily, called Sicania by Thucydides, and by many writers Trinacria, or Trinacchia, from its triangular appearance. According to Agrippa, it is 618 miles in circumference. In former times it was the continuation of the territory of Brutium, but in consequence of the overflowing of the sea became severed from it, thus forming a strait of 15 miles in length, and a mile and a half in width, in the vicinity of the pillar of Regium. It was from this circumstance of the land being severed asunder that the Greeks gave the name of Regium to the town situate on the Italian shore. In these straits is the rock of Scala. It is also Caribdis, a whirlpool of the sea, both of them noted for their perils. Of this triangle, the promontory which, as we have already mentioned, is called Peleris. Faces Scala and juts out towards Italy, while Pecanum extends in the direction of Greece, Peloponnesus being at the distance of it of 440 miles, and Lilibium towards Africa being distance 180 miles from the promontory of Mercury, and from that of Carilis in Sardinia, 190. These promontories and sides are situate at the following distances from each other, by land that is 186 miles from Peleris to Pecanum, from Pecanum to Lilibium, 200, from Lilibium to Peleris, 170. On this island there are five colonies and 63 cities or states. Leaving Peleris and facing the Ionian Sea, we have the town of Messana, whose inhabitants are also called Mamertini, and enjoy the rights of Roman citizens. The promontory of Drapanum, the colony of Therominium, formerly called Naxos, the river Assines, and Mount Etna, wonders for the flames which it emits by night. Its crater is 20 stadia in circumference, and from it red hot cinders are thrown as far as Therominium and Catina, the noise being heard even at Maroneum and the Gamelian hills. We then come to the three rocks of the Cyclops, the Port of Ulysses, the colony of Catina, and the river Samaethus and Therios, while more inland lie the Lystroganian Plains. To these rivers succeed the towns of Leotinum and Megurus, the river Pantagaes, the colony of Syracuse, with the fountain of Arithusa. The people in the Syracusean territory drink, too, from the fountains of Tementis, Arcademia, Magai, Kayani, and Milikai. The port of Nostathmus, the river Eloris, and the promontory of Pecanum. This side of Sicily begins with the river Herminius, then follows the town of Camarina, the river Gellus, and the town of Agregas, which our people have named Agregentum. We next come to the colony of Thermae, the rivers Acates, Mazura, and Hypsa, the town of Salinos, and then the promontory of Lilibayum, which is succeeded by De Prana, Mount Erex, the towns of Panhormus, Solus, and Himera, with the river of the same name, Cephaloides, Aluntium, Agathrinum, the colony of Tindurus, the town of Myli, and then Pilaris, the spot at which we begin. In the interior there are the following towns enjoying Latin privileges, those of the Kentorpini, the Nettini, and the Segestani. Tribulatory towns are those of the Asaurini, the Aenensis, the Aggrini, the Acestai, the Acreensis, the Bidini, the Ketarini, the Kakarini, the Drapanatani, the Eregatini, the Estriances, the Ericini, the Antillini, the Aenini, the Aiguini, the Gelani, the Galatini, the Hallecini, the Aenensis, the Hiblensis, the Herbetensis, the Herbencensis, the Herbulensis, the Halei Aenensis, the Hadritani, the Imacreensis, the Ipanesis, the Ictensis, the Mitistritini, the Maglini, the Morgantini, the Mutikensis, the Menannini, the Naxi, the Noei, the Petrini, the Paropini, the Fethiensis, the Semelitini, the Cherini, the Seilinunti, the Simaiti, the Talariensis, the Ticinensis, the Triocalini, the Tiracanenses, and the Zanclai, a Messinian colony on the Straits of Sicily. Towards Africa, its islands are Gaulos, Melita, 87 miles from Camarena, and 113 from Lulabaya, Cosira, Hironensos, Kaine, Galata, Lopadusa, Aethusa, written by Sam Agusa, Bukina, Osteodes, distant from Saluntium, 75 miles, and opposite to Perupus, Ustica. On this side of Sicily, facing the river Metorus, at a distance of nearly 25 miles from Italy, are the seven islands called the Aeolian, also called the Leparian Islands. By Greeks, they are called the Hephaustiades, and by our writers the Volcanian Islands. They are called Aeolian, because in Trojan times, Aeolus was king there. Lepara, with the town whose inhabitants enjoy the rights of Roman citizens, is so called from Leparis, a former king who succeeded Aeolus, it having been previously called Megalonsis, or Megalonsis. It is 25 miles distance from Italy, and in circumference a little less. Between this island in Sicily we find another, the name of which was formerly Therasia, but now called Hiara, because it was sacred to Volcan. It contains a hill which at night vomits forth flames. The third island is Strongilai, lying one mile to the east of Lepara, over which Aeolus reigned as well. It differs only from Lepara in the superior brilliancy of its flames. From the smoke of this volcano it is said by some of the inhabitants are able to predict three days beforehand what winds are about to blow. Hence arose the notion that the winds are governed by Aeolus. The fourth of these islands is Didime, smaller than Lepara. The fifth, Iracusa. The sixth, Phoenusca, left to be a pasture ground for the cattle of the neighboring islands. And the last and smallest, Aeolimos. Thus much is to the first great gulf of Europe. John Bostock and Henry Thomas Reilly Chapter 15-17 Magna Graicchia, beginning at Locari, the second region of Italy, the fourth region of Italy, Chapter 15 Magna Graicchia, beginning at Locari. At Locari begins the four part of Italy, called Magna Graicchia, whose coast falls back in three bays formed by the Alsonian Sea, so called from the Alsones who were the first inhabitants of the country. According to Varro it is 86 miles an extent, but most riders have made it only 75. Along this coast there are rivers innumerable, but we shall mention only those that are worthy of remark. After leaving Locari we come to the Sagra, in the ruins of the town of Caulon, Mistiae, Concilinum, Castrum, Cochentum, in the opinion of some the longest headland of Italy, and then the gulf of Skylacium, and Skylacium itself, which was called by the Athenians when they founded it, Skyletium. This part of Italy is nearly a peninsula, in consequence of the gulf of Terinaium running up into it on the other side. In it there is the harbor called Castra Annibales, and no other part is Italy narrower than here, it being but 20 miles across. For this reason the elder Dionysius entertained the idea of severing this portion from the mainland of Italy at this spot and adding it to Sicily. The navigable rivers in this district are the Carquines, the Crotelus, the Smyros, the Arucas, and the Targines. In the interior is the town of Petilia, and there are besides Mount Clibanus, the promenatory of Lachinium, in front of which lies the island of Dioscori, 10 miles from the mainland, and another called the Isle of Calypso, which Homer is supposed to refer to under the name of Ogaiga, as also the islands of Tyrus, Aeronusa, and Meloesa. According to a grippa, the promenatory of Lachinium is 70 miles from Calon. At the promenatory of Lachinium begins the second gulf of Europe, the bend of which forms an arc of great depth and terminates at Acrocheraunium, a promenatory of Apirus, from which it is distant 75 miles. We first come to the town of Crotan, and then the river Neathus, and the town of Thuryii, situate between two rivers, Crathus and Sibyrus, upon the latter of which there was once a city of the same name. In a similar manner Heraclea, sometimes called Isiris, lies between the river of that name and the Acheris. We next come to the rivers Acalandrus and and Casuintum, and the town of Metapontum, with which the third region of Italy terminates. In the interior of Brutium, the Aprustani are the only people, but in Lucania we find the Atenates, the Bantini, the Eburini, the Grumentini, the Pontentini, the Sontini, the Serini, the Tergillani, the Ursentini, and the Volcantani, whom the Newmanstrani join. Besides these we learn from Cato that Thebes in Lucania has disappeared, and Thaelpampus informs us that there was formerly a city of the Lucani called Pandosia, at which Alexander, the king of Apirus, died. Chapter 16 The Second Region of Italy Adjoining to this district is the second region of Italy, which embraces the Hippini, Calabria, Apulia, and the Salantini, extending a distance of 250 miles along the Gulf of Tarentum, which receives its name from the town of the Laconians, so called, situate at the bottom of the Gulf, to which was annexed the maritime colony which had previously settled there. Tarentum is distant from the promenatory of Lacinium 136 miles, and throws out the territory of Calabria opposite to it in the form of a peninsula. The Greeks call this territory Mesapia, from their leader, before which it was called Peocetia from Peocetius, the brother of Oenotrius, and was comprised in the territory of Salantinum. Between the two promenatories there is a distance of 100 miles. The breadth across the peninsula from Tarentum to Brindisium by land is 35 miles, considerably less if measured from the port of Sacina. The town's inland from Tarentum are Waria, surnamed Apulia, Mesapia, and Aletium. On the coast, Senum and Calipolis, now known as Anza, 75 miles from Tarentum. Then, at a distance of 32 miles, is the promenatory of Acre Iapigia, at which the point idly projects the greatest distance into the sea. At a distance of 19 miles from this point is the town of Basta, and then Hydruntum, the spot at which the Ionian is separated from the Adriatic Sea, and from which the distance across to Greece is the shortest. The town of the Apollonates lies opposite to it, and the breadth of the armor of the sea which runs between is not more than 50 miles. Pyrus, king of Apyrus, was the first to entertain the notion of uniting these two points, and making a passage on foot by throwing a bridge across. And after him, Marcus Varro, when commanding the fleet of Pompeii in the war against the pirates. Other cares, however, prevented either of them from accomplishing this design. Passing Hydruntum, we come to the deserted site of Soletum, then Fratoratorum, the Portus Tarentius, the Haven of Miltopa, Lupia, Balesium, Caelia, and then Brindisium, 50 miles from Hydruntum. This last place is one of the most famous ports of Italy, and although more distant, affords by far the safest passage across to Greece, the place of disembarkation being Dirachium, a city of Illyria, the distance across is 225 miles. Adjoining Brindisium is the territory of the Petticuli. Nine youths and as many maidens, natives of Illyria became the parents of 16 nations. The towns of the Petticuli are Rudii, Egnatia, and Barrium. Their rivers are the Eopics, so-called from the son of Daedalus, who was king there, and who gave it the name of Iapagia, the Pactius, and the Alphidius, which rises from the Hyrpenean mountains and flows past Canusium. At this point begins Apulia, surname the Downian, from the Downii, who take their name from a former chief, the father-in-law of Diomedes. In this territory are the towns of Salapia, famous for Hannibal's Amor with a courtesan, Sampontum, Aurea, the river Kerbalus, forming the boundary of the Downii, the port of Agassus, and the promulatory of Mount Garganus, distant from the promulatory of Selentinium, or Iapagia, 234 miles. Making the circuit of Garganus, we come to the port of Garna, the lake Pantanus, the river Frento, the mouth of which forms a harbor, Tianum of the Apuli, and Laranum, Cliternia, and the river Tiferinus, at which the district of the Frantani begins. Thus were there three different nations of the Apulians, the Downii, the Tiani, so-called from their leader, who sprang from the Greeks, and the Lucani, who were subdued by Couchus, and whose country is now possessed by the Atenates. Besides those already mentioned, there are, of the Downii, the colonies of Lucaria and Venusia, the towns of Canusium and Arpi, formerly called Argos Hippium, and founded by Diomedes, afterwards called Agrippia. Here, too, Diomedes destroyed the nations of the Monnadi and the Daudi, and the two cities of Apina and Trika, whose names have passed into a byword and a proverb. Besides the above, there is, in the interior of the second region, one colony of the Ipirini, Beneventum, so-called by an exchange of a more auspicious name for its old one of Maleventum. Also, the Aileani, the Aquilonii, the Abalanates, so-called Protopei, the Campsani, the Cownii, the Liguris, both those called the Corneliani and the Bebiani, the Vescalani, the Aileani, the Aletirini, the Abalantes, so-called Marci, the Atrani, the Aieani, the Alfilani, the Atenates, the Arpani, the Borkani, the Colatini, the Colanenses, the Canenses, rendered famous by the defeat of the Romans, the Dirini, the Forentani, the Gaouncini, the Herunineses, the Irini, the Lorentes, so-called Frentani, the Maranates of Gerganus, the Matolani, the Netini, the Robustini, the Silvini, the Strappellini, the Termantini, the Vibantes, the Weouncini, and the Urlutini. In the interior of Calabria, there are the Argentini, the Apamastini, the Argentini, the Butrantinenses, the Decchiani, the Grumbestiani, the Norbanenses, the Paleonenses, the Sturtini, and the Turtini. There are also the following Salentian nations, the Alentini, the Basturbini, the Neretini, the Uzentini, and the Warentini. Chapter 17, the Fourth Region of Italy We now come to the Fourth Region, which includes the most valiant, probably, of all the nations of Italy. Upon the coast and the territory of the Frentani, after the river Tifernus, we find the river Trinium, with a good harbor at its mouth, the towns of Estonium, Bucca and Ortona, and the river Aternus. In the interior are the Anaxi, surnamed Frentani, the Hire, and the Lower Carantini, and the La Nuneces. In the territory of the Marrochini, the Tiatini, and that of the Pelagini, the Corfinenses, the Superecuane, and the Somanenses. In that of the Marci, the Anxantini, the Atenantes, the Fuquentes, the Lucenses, and the Marovini. In that of the Abenses, the town of Alba, on Lake Fuquinas. In that of the Equiculeani, the Clentini, and the Carciolani. In that of the Vestini, the Aguilani, the Penenses, and the Peltuinantes, a journey to whom are the Alfinantes, Chismontani. In that of the Samnites, who have been called Saabeli, and whom the Greeks have called Saurinitei, the Colony of Old Bovianum. In that of the Uduchimiani, the Alphideantes, the Ecerini, the Fagufulani, the Ficolenses, the Saipinates, and the Terraventinates. In that of the Sabini, the Amartini, the Corrinces, Forum Deci, Forum Novum, the Finentes, the Iterrimantes, the Norcini, the Nomantini, the Reatini, the Trebolani, both those called Muteschi, and those called Sufentes, the Trebirtes, and the Tarenates. In these districts, the Comini, the Tariates, the Caidiki, and the Alfertini, tribes of the Equiculei, have disappeared. From Galeanus, we learn that Arquipe, a town of the Marci, built by Marcius, a chieftain of the Lydians, has been swallowed up by the Lake Fouquines, and Valerianus informs us that the town of the Ritikini in Paesinum was destroyed by the Romans. The Sabini, so-called according to some writers from their attention to religious observances and the worship of the god, Sevini, dwell on the duke-lad hills in the vicinity of the lakes of Walinus. The Naur, with its sulfurous waters, exhausts these lakes, and descending from Mount Fikelus, unites with them near the groves of Wakuna and Riate, and then directs its course towards the Tiber, in which it discharges itself. Again, in another direction, the Anio, taking its rise in the mountains of the Trebani, carries into the Tiber the waters of three lakes, remarkable for their picturesque beauty, and to which Subalaquium is indebted for its name. In the territory of Riate is the lake of Coutilai, in which there is a floating island, and which, according to Marcus Varro, is the naval or central point of Italy. Below the Sabine territory lies that of Latium, on one side Paesinum and behind it Umbria, while the range of the Apennines flanks it on either side. End of Section 20 Section 21 of The Natural History, Volume 1 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Natural History, Volume 1 by Pliny the Elder, translated by John Bostuck and Henry Thomas Riley Section 21 Book 3 Chapters 18-22 The Fifth Region of Italy The Sixth Region of Italy The Eighth Region of Italy The Padus The Eleventh Region of Italy Italia Transpadana The Tenth Region of Italy Chapter 18 The Fifth Region of Italy The Fifth Region is that of Paesinum, once remarkable for the denseness of its population. 360,000 percentines took the oaths of fidelity to the Roman people. They are descended from the Sabines, who had made a vow to celebrate a holy spring. Their territory commenced at the river Aterinus, where the present district and colony of Adria is at a distance of six miles from the sea. Here we find the river Fomenus, the territories of Prytutia and Palma, Castrum Novum, the river Batinus Truentum, with its river of the same name, which places the only remnant of the Lubrini in Italy, the river Abula, Tervinum, at which the Prytutian district ends, and that of Paesinum begins, the town of Cupra, Castellum, Fermanorum, and above it the colony of Asculum, the most illustrious in Paesinum. In the interior there is the town of Novana. Upon the coast we have Cluana, Potentia, Numana, founded by the Succuli, and Ancona, a colony founded by the same people on the promenatory of Cumerus, forming an elbow of the coast, where it begins to bend inwards and distance from Gargonus 183 miles. In the interior are the Auxemates, the Baragrani, the Kingullani, the Guprinses, surnamed Montani, the Faliarenses, the Pausalani, Planinenses, the Rikinenses, the Septemdiani, the Tolotinates, the Treyenses, and the Polatini of Herbes, Salvia. Chapter 19, the Sixth Region of Italy. Adjoining to this is the Sixth Region, which includes Umbria and the Gallic territory in the vicinity of Eremino. And Ancona begins the coast of that part of Gaul known as Gallia Togata. The Succuli and the Liberni possessed the greater part of this territory, and more particularly the territories of Palma, of Pritutia, and Adria. These were expelled by the Umbri, these again by the Etrurians, and those in turn by the Gauls. The Umbri are thought to have been the most ancient race in Italy, it being supposed that they were called Umbrii by the Greeks, from the fact that they were having survived the rains which had inundated the earth. We read that three hundred of their towns were conquered by the Tusci. At the present day we find on their coast the river Isis, Senogalia, the river Metatruus, the colonies of Fanum, Fortunae, and Pisarum, with the river of the same name, and in the interior those of the Isbellum and Tudor. Besides the above there are the Amarini, the Aridates, the Asinates, the Arnates, the Asinates, the Camarates, the Causulentiani, the Causulani, the Dolates, surname Salentini, the Fulginiates, the Floroflaminates, the Forojulianates, surname Concumpienses, the Foro Bruntani, the Foro Sampronianates, the Iguvini, the Interumnates, surnamed the Nartes, the Mevanates, the Mevionates, the Matalientes, the Narnianates, whose town used formerly to be called Nequinum, the Nucorini, both those surnamed Favoniences, and those called Camalani, the Ocriculani, the Ostronini, the Pitulani, both those surnamed Pucirates, and the others called Mergantini, the Pleistini, the Sentinates, the Sarsinates, the Spoletini, the Suassini, the Sestinates, the Suliates, the Tadinates, the Trebiates, the Tufikini, the Tifernates, surnamed Tiberini, and the others called Metuoperenses, the Vesicantes, and the Urbanates, both these surnamed Meturances, and the others called Hortenses, the Veterances, the Viriatanes, and the Viventani. In this district, there exists no longer the Feliginates, who possess Clusiolum, above Iteramna, and the Serenates, with their towns of Akarai, surnamed Vafarai, and Torochelum, also called Wetiolum, as also the Solinates, the Curinates, the Falianates, and the Apinates. The Arianates have also disappeared with the town of Crinovolum, as well as the Ussidicani, the Plaginaces, the Paisenates, and the Chilestini. Cato writes that Amaria, above mention, was founded 964 years before the war with Perseus. Chapter 20 The Eighth Region of Italy, the Padus The Eighth Region is bounded by Araminum, the Padus, and the Epinines. Upon the coast we have the river Crustumium, and the colony of Araminum, with the rivers Araminus and Aprusa. Next comes the river Rubico, once the boundary of Italy, and after it the Sapis, the Wittis, and the Anemo, and then Revena, a town of the Sabines, with the river Badesis. 105 miles from Ancona, and not far from the sea. Boutrium, a town of the Umbri. In the interior there are the colonies of Bononia, formerly called Falsina, when it was the chief place of the Aturria. Grigsalum, Mutina, Parma, and Placentia. There are also the towns of Caesena, Clasterna, Forum Clodii, Florum Livii, Forum Populi, Forum Truetonorum, Forum Cornile, Forum Likini, the Favigante, the Fiditini, the Ostini, the Padunates, the Reganenses, who take their name from Lebedes, the Solotanis, the Salte Scalini, surname Aquitanes, the Taneitani, the Welliates, who were anciently surnamed Regiates, and the Urbanates. In this district the Boiii have disappeared, of whom there were 112 tribes according to Cato, and also the Sinones, who captured Rome. The Padus descends from the bosom of Mount Vesulus, one of the most elevated points of the chain of the Alps, in the territories of the Ligurian Vaggiani, and rises at its source in a manner that, while merits an inspection by the Curious, after which it hides itself in a subterranean channel, until it rises again in the territory of the Foro Vibiances. It is inferior in fame to none, whatever, among the rivers, being known to the Greeks as the Eridanus, and famous as the scene of the punishment of Phytone. At the rising of the dog-star it is swollen by melted snows, but, though it proves more furious in its course to the adjoining fields than to the vessels that are upon it, still takes care to carry away no portion of its banks, when it recedes, renders them additionally fertile. Its length, from its source, is 300 miles, to which we must add 88 for its sinuosities, and it receives from the Apennines and Alps not only several navigable rivers, but immense lakes as well, which discharge themselves into its waters, thus conveying altogether as many as 30 streams into the Adriatic Sea. Among these, the best known are the following, flowing from the range of the Apennines, the Yachtus, the Tannaras, the Trebia, which passes Placentia, the Tarus, the Inchia, the Gabelus, the Skotena, and the Rhenus, from the chain of the Alps, the Stura, the Orgus, the Tudurii, the Cicites, the Tichinus, the Lambrus, the Adua, the Olius, and the Minkius. There is no river known to receive a larger increase than this in so short a space, so much indeed that it is impelled onwards by this vast body of water, and invading the land forms deep channels in its course. Hence it is that, although a portion of its stream is drawn off by waters and canals between Revena and Altinum, for a space of 120 miles, still, at the spot where it discharges the vast body of its waters, it is said to form seven seas. By the Augustan canal, the Padus is carried to Revena, at which place it is called the Padusa, having formerly borne the name of Messonicus. The nearest mouth to this spot forms the extensive port, known as that of Vatrenus, where Claudius Caesar, on his triumph over the Britons, entered the Adriatic in a vessel that deserved rather the name of a vast palace than a ship. This mouth, which was formerly called by some the Aredonian, has, spanned by others, styled the spenectic mouth. From the city of Spina, a very powerful place which formerly stood in the vicinity, if we may form a conclusion from the amount of its treasure deposited at Delphi, it was founded by Diomedes. At this spot the river, Vatrenus, which flows from the territory of Forum Cornili, swells the waters of the Padus. The next mouth is that of Carpacia, then that of Sagis, and then Volane, formerly called Olane. All these are situate upon the Flavian canal, which the Tuscans formerly made from Sagis, thus drawing the impetuous stream of the river across into the marshes of the Aturani, which they call the Seven Seas, and upon which is the noble port of Atria, a city of the Tuscans from which place the sea was formerly called the Atriatic, though now the Adriatic. We next come to the overflowing mouths of Carbonaria, and the Phoses of Philistina, by some called the Tartarus, all of which originate in the overflow of the waters in the Philistine canal, swollen by the streams of the Atesis, descending from the Tredentine Alps, and that of the Toginosis, flowing from the territory of the Pativani. A portion of them also forms the adjoining port of Brundulum, in the same manner as Adron is formed by the two rivers Meduacus and the Clodian canal. With the waters of these streams, the Patus unites, and with them discharges itself into the sea, forming, according to most writers, between the Alps and the Seashore, a triangular figure, 2000 stadia and circumference, not unlike the Delta formed by the Nile in Egypt. I feel somewhat ashamed to have to borrow from the Greeks any statement in reference to Italy. Metrodorus of Sculpsos, however, informs us that this river has obtained its name of Padus from the fact that, about its source, there are great numbers of pine trees, which in the Gallic language are called padi. In the tongue of the Ligurians, this river is called the Bonicus, which signifies the bottomless. This derivation is, in some measure, supported by the fact that near this river there is the town of Industria, of which the ancient name was Baudenconigum, and where the river begins to be of greater depth than in other parts. Chapter 21 The Eleventh Region of Italy, Italia Transpadana. From the river Padus the Eleventh Region receives its name of Transpadana, to which, situate as it is wholly in the interior, the river, with its bounteous channel conveys the gifts of all the seas. The towns are Vibiforum and Segusio, and at the foot of the Alps, the colony of Augusta Taurinorum, at which place the Padus becomes navigable, and which was founded by the ancient race of the Ligurians, and of Augusta Praetoria, of the Salasi near the two passes of the Alps. The Grecian and the Penine, by the latter it is said that the Carthaginians passed into Italy, and by the Grecian Hercules. The town of Aporeta, the foundation of which by the Roman people was enjoined by the Sybiline books. The Gauls call Tamer of Horses by the names of Orpadori. The Werkelai, the town of the Libiki, derived its origin from the Saluvii. And Novaria, founded by the Verter Comercori, is at the present day a district of the Volkontii, and not as Cato supposes of the Ligurians, of whom two nations, called the Livii, and the Mariki, founded Tikinon, not far from the Padus, as the Boiii, descended from the Transapai nations, have founded Laos, Pompeia, and the Inserbes, Mediolanum. From Cato we learn that Comum, Bergamum, and Likiniforum, and some other peoples of the Invincinity, originated from the Orobe, but he admits that he is ignorant as to the origin of that nation. Cornelius Alexander however, informs us that they came from Greece, interpreting their name as meaning, those who live upon the mountains. In this district, Para has disappeared, a town of the Orobei, from whom, according to Cato, the people of Bergamum are descended. Its site even yet shows that it was situated in a position more elevated than fruitful. The Catorigues have also perished, an exiled race of the Insubres, as also Spina previously mentioned. Melpum too, a place distinguished for its opulence, which as we are informed by Cornelius Nepos, was destroyed by the Insubres, the Boeii and the Sinones, on the very day on which Camilus took Veii. Chapter 22 The 10th Region of Italy We now come to the 10th region of Italy, situate on the Adriatic Sea. In this district are Wenetia, the river Silus, arising in the Tarvasanian mountains, the town of Altinum, the river Lecuentia, rising in the mountains of Opritigium, and a port with the same name, the colony of Concordia, the rivers and harvours of Romatinum, the greater and lesser Tilia Ventum, the Anoxum, into which the verum was flows, the Ausa and the Nazil, with the Taurus, which flows past the colony of Aquileia, at a distance of 15 miles from the sea. This is the country of the Carni, and adjoining to it that of the Epades, the river Timavus, the fortress of Puchenum, famous for its wines, the Gulf of Turgheste, and the colony of that name, 33 miles from Aquileia. Six miles beyond that place lies the river Formiol, 189 miles distant from Ravenna, the ancient boundary of enlarged Italy, and now the frontier of Istria. That this region takes its name from the river Istur, which flows from the Danube, also called the Istur, into the Adriatic opposite the mouth of the Padus, and that the sea which lies between them is rendered fresh by their waters running from opposite directions, has been erroneously asserted by many, and among them by Nepose even, who dwelt upon the banks of the Padus. For it is the fact that no river which runs from the Danube discharges itself from the Adriatic. They have been misled, I think, by the circumstances, that the ship Argo came down some river into the Adriatic sea, not far from Turgheste, but what river that was is now unknown. The most careful writers say that the ship was carried across the Alps on men's shoulders, having passed along the Istur, then along the Savus, and so from now Portus, which place lying between Imona and the Alps, from that circumstance derives its name. And if section 21 by Joyce Martin. The Natural History, Volume I, by Plenty the Elder, translated by John Bostock and Henry Thomas Reilly. Section 22 Book III, chapters 23 to 30, and summary. Chapter 23, 19 Istria, its people and locality. Istria projects in the form of a peninsula. Some writers have stated its length to be forty miles, and its circumference one hundred and twenty-five, and the same as to Libernia which adjoins it. And the Flannatic Gulf, while others make it at two hundred and twenty-five, others again make the circumference of Libernia one hundred and eighty miles. Some persons too extend Ispidia at the bank of Istria as far as the Flannatic Gulf, a distance of one hundred and thirty miles, thus making Libernia but one hundred and fifty miles. Two Ditanis who subdued the Istria had this inscription on his statue which was erected there. From Achilia to the River Titus is a distance of one thousand stadia. The towns of Istria, with the rights of Roman citizens, are Ejida, Perentium, and the Colony of Pula, and now Paitis Giulia, formerly founded by the Culpcians and distant from Turgheste one hundred miles, after which we come to the town of Nisaktium and the river Arcia, now the boundary of Italy, the distance across from Ancona to Pola is one hundred and twenty miles. In the interior of the tenth region are the colonies of Ceremono, Brixia, and the territory of the Cenomani, a test day belonging to the Veneti and the towns of Achillum, Potabium, Opetergium, Belunum, and Vysetia, with Manchua the only city of the Tuscans now left beyond the Pades. Cato informs us that the Veneti are descendants of the Trojans, and that the Cenomani dwelt among the Volque in the vicinity of Massilia. There are also the towns of the Fertini, the Tridentini, and the Barucinans, belonging to the Reti, Verona belonging to the Reti and the Igani, and the Giuliances to the Carni. We then have the following peoples whom there is no necessity to particularize with any degree of exactness, the Alutrences, the Asriates, the Flamonensis, with those surnamed Vaniensis, and the others called Colissi, the Furro Giuliances, surnamed Transpondi, the Fertini, the Nediantes, the Coaquini, the Taruciani, the Trojanses, and the Varvi. In this district there have disappeared upon the coast Armeni, Palosan, and the Palatium, Aetina, and Chilina belonging to the Veneti, Segeste and Okra to the Carini, and Noria to the Turissi. Alpiozo also informs us that although the senate disapproved of his so doing, M. Claudius Marcellus raised to the ground a tower statue at the 12th milestone from Aculina. In this region also and the 11th there are some celebrated lakes, and several rivers that either take their rise in them or else are fed by their waters, in those cases in which they again emerge from them. These are the Adua fed by the Lake Larius, the Tyconius by Lake Verbanus, the Minicris by Lake Benacus, the Olius by Lake Sabinas, and the Lambrus by Lake Eupilus, all of them flowing into the Padus. Caela states that the length of the alps from the upper sea to the lower is 1,000 miles, a distance which Timangene shortens by 22. Cornelius Napos assigns to them a breath of 100 miles, and a tea libous of 3,000 stadia, but then in different places, for in some localities they exceed 100 miles, where they divide Germany for instance from Italy, while in other parts they do not reach 70, being thus narrowed by the providential dispensation of nature as it were. The breath of Italy, taken from the river Varra at the foot of these mountains, and passing along by the Varra Stavadia, the Terini, the Comum, Brixia, Verona, Vicentia, Ope Tegerdium, Ope Tegerium, Aquitila, Turgheste, Pola, and Arsena is 745 miles. Chapter 24 The Alps and the Alpine Nations Many nations dwell among the Alps, but the more remarkable between Pola and the district of Turgheste are the Secusesis, the Sobrocrini, the Catali, the Menokalini, and near the Carne, the people formerly called the Taroischi, but now the Noriki. Adjoining to these are the Reti and the Vidalisi, who are all divided into a multitude of states. It is supposed that the Reti are the descendants of the Tuscans, who were expelled by the Gauls and migrated hither under the command of their chief, whose name was Retus. Turning them to the side of the Alps, which fronts Italy, we have the Eugenian nations enjoying Latin rites, and of whom Cato enumerates thirty-four towns. Among these are the Triomplini, a people who were sold with their territory, and then the Camuni and several similar tribes, each of them in the jurisdiction of its neighboring municipal town. The same author also considers the Lepontini and the Salsi to be of Turiscian origin, but most other writers, giving a Greek interpretation to their name, consider the Lepontini to have been those of the followers of Hercules, who were left behind in consequence of their limbs being frozen by the snow of the Alps. They are also of opinion that the inhabitants of the Grecian Alps are descended from a portion of the Greeks of his army, and that the Eugenians, being sprung from an origin so illustrious, thence took their name. The head of these are the Stioni, the Venonitians, and the Sorontes, and peoples of the Reti, dwell about the sources of the river Rannis, while the tribe of Leponti, known as the Iberi, dwell in the vicinity of the sources of the Rodanus in the same district of the Alps. There are also other native tribes here who have received Latin rites, such as the Octoderenesis and their neighbors, the Centrons, the Coetian states, the Ligurian Vaginetti, descended from the Catergies, as also those called Montani, besides numerous nations of the Capilati, in the confines of Ligurian sea. It may not be inappropriate in this place to subjoin the inscription now to be seen upon the trophy erected in the Alps, which is to the following effect. To the Emperor Caesar, the son of Caesar now deified Augustus, Pontifex, Maximus, and Emperor fourteen years, in the seventeenth year of his holding the Tribunal authority, the Senate and the Roman people, in remembrance, that under his command and auspices, all the Alpine nations which extended from the upper sea to the lower were reduced to subjection by the Roman people. The Alpine nations so subdued were the Triumplini, the Camoni, the Venastis, and the Venoesis, the Isarci, the Bruni, the Genoese, the Focantes, poor nations of the Vindalisi, the Consantes, the Rusiantes, the Lycates, the Catantes, the Amps by Sontes, the Ruguschi, the Sunetes, the Calucones, the Bricsentes, the Leponti, the Euberi, the Nantustes, the Seduni, the Varagi, the Salasi, the Octavones, the Medulli, the Uxini, the Caturgis, the Brighiani, the Sugeanti, the Brodianti, the Nimalani, the Andantes, the Yusbiani, the Viamini, the Galate, the Triulate, the Ekdini, the Vrgunini, the Egutitiri, the Nemistiri, the Yarateli, the Norusii, the Voluni, and the Suetri. The twelve states of the Cultiani were not included in the list, as they had shown no hostility, nor yet those which had been placed by the Pompeian law under the jurisdiction of the municipal towns. Such then is Italy, sacred to the gods, such are the nations, such the cities of her peoples, to which we may add that this is that same Italy, which, when Elemenius Paulus and C. Attilus Rigaulus were councils on hearing of the rising Ingol unaided and without any foreign assistant, whatever, without the help even of that portion which lies beyond the polis, farmed eighty thousand horse and seven hundred thousand foot. In abundance of metals of every kind, Italy yields to no land whatever, but all search for them has been prohibited by an ancient decree of the senate. Who gave orders thereby that Italy should be exempted from such treatment? Chapter 25 LIBERNIA AND ELICRIUM The nation of the Libernia joins the river Arcia, and extends as far as the river Titus. The Mentores, the Haimani, the Enchilai, the Buni, and the people from Calimacus caused the Pachitai, formerly formed part of it, but now the whole in general are comprised under the one name of Elyrium. But few of the names of these nations are worthy of mention, or indeed very easy of pronunciation, to the jurisdiction of Sardonia resort the Ilappides and fourteen cities of the Libernia, of which it may not prove tedious if I mention the Lachiances, the Stulipini, the Bernistae, the Obonaces. Belonging to the same jurisdiction there are, in the enjoyment of Italian rise, the Allute, the Filantes, and from whom the gulf takes its name the Lopsi, and the Varverini, the Ascentes, who are exempt from tribute, and upon the islands, the Fertinates, and the Chorictae. Besides these there are on the coast, after leaving Nassatium Alvona, Fallinona, Tarsitia, Senia, Lopsia, Ortopula, Vegium, Argorantium, Corinchium, Aeonia, the city of Pasinium, and the river Tadanius, at which Iapedia terminates. The islands of this gulf, with their towns, besides those above mentioned, are Abserciam, Barba, Craxa, Gheeson, and Portonata. Again on the mainland there is the colony of Isterra, distant from Pola one hundred and sixty miles, then at a distance of thirty miles, the island of Calentum, and of eighteen the mouth of the river Titus. CHAPTER XXVI Dalmatia Sardona, situated upon the river at a distance of twelve miles from the sea, forms the boundary of Libernia and the beginning of Dalmatia. Next to this place comes the ancient country of the Altareites and the fortress of Tariona, the promenatory of Diomedes, or as others call it, the peninsula of Helius, one hundred miles in circuit. Then comes Trigernia, a place with the rites of Roman citizens, and celebrated for its marble, Secum, a place to which Claudius, the emperor lately deified, sent a colony of his veterans, and Salona, a colony situated one hundred and twelve miles from the Iaedera. To this place resorts for legal purposes, having the laws dispensed according to their divisions into dequeries or tithings, the Dalmatia forming 342 dequeries, and the Decurie 22, the Ditonis 239, the Maasai 269, and the Sardiates 52. In this region are Burnum, Auditrium, and Tribulium, fortresses ennobled by the battles of the Roman people, to the same jurisdiction also belong the Issei, the Colenti, the Separi, and the Eptini, nations inhabiting the islands. After these come the fortresses of Pagentium and of Rutanium, and the colony of Nerona, the seat of the third jurisdiction, distant from Salona, 82 miles, and situated upon a river of the same name, had a distance of twenty miles from the sea. Envera states the eighty-nine states used to resort thither, but now nearly the only ones that are known are the Ceruni, with twenty-four dequeries, D'Oreasi with seventeen, the Distates with one hundred and three, the Decalate with thirty-three, the Derritini with fourteen, the Deramiste with thirty, the Dindari with thirty-three, the Glendon Tones with forty-four, the Malcomani with twenty-four, the Narisi with one hundred and two, the Scritari with seventy-two, the Siculate with twenty-four, and the Vardae once the scourges of Italy with no more than twenty dequeries. In addition to these, this district was possessed by the Osirai, the Parthenai, the Hemacini, the Arthritai and the Armistai. The colony of Epidorum is distant from the river Naran, one hundred miles, after Epidorum come the following towns with the rights of Roman citizens, Resinium, Acrubium, Bousha, or Sinolum, formerly called Colchinium, having been founded by the Colchims, the River Drilo, and upon it Soctra, in town with the rights of Roman citizens, the Chate, at a distance of eighteen miles from the sea, besides in former times many Greek towns and once powerful states of which all remembrance is fast fading away. For in this region there were formerly the Labantai, the Andirini, the Sasai, the Gavirni, properly called Illiri, the Talitanti, and the Pyrite. The promenatory of Nothilium on the Sica still retains its name, and there is Lysium, a town enjoying the rights of Roman citizens, at a distance from Epertarium, of one hundred miles. At Lysium begins the province of Macedonia, the nations of the Partheni, and behind them the Desarte. The mountains of Kendavia are seventy-eight miles from Darychium. On the coast lies Denda, a town with the rights of Roman citizens, the Colony of Epidamum, which on account of its inauspicious name was by the Romans called Dirachium, the river Eos, by some called Aes, and Apollonia, formerly a Colony of the Corinthians, at a distance of four miles from the sea, in the vicinity of which the celebrated Nymphium is inhabited by the barbarous Amantis and Bulliones. Upon the coast, too, is the town of Orium, founded by the Colchians. At this spot begins Epirus, with the Acrononian Mountains, by which we have previously mentioned this gulf of Europe as bounded. Oricum is distant from the promenatory of Selentium, in Italy, eighty miles. CHAPTER 27 The Norisi In the rear of the Carni, and the Iapides, along the course of the Great River Easter, the Reitach touch upon the Noriki. Their towns are Varunum, Celia, Ternia, Agusium, Biania, Mina, Claudia, and Flavium Solvense. Adjoining to the Noriki is Lake Paiso, and the deserts of the Bolí. They are, however, now inhabited by the people of Sarbia, a colony of the now deified Emperor Claudius, and the town of Scorabantia Giulia. CHAPTER 28 Penoia Next to them comes Acorn-bearing, Penoia, along which the chain of the Alps gradually lesting as it runs through the middle of Alicrium, from north to south, forms a gentle slope to the right hand and to the left. The portion which looks toward the Adriatic Sea is called Dalmatia and Alicrium, above named, while Penoia stretches away toward the north, and has the Danube for its extreme boundary. In it are the colonies of Imona and Sisca. The following rivers, both known to fame and adapted for commerce, flow into the Danube. The Dreos, which rushes from Norica with great impetuosity, and the Sabus, which flows from a mere gentle current from the Karnic Alps. They are being a space between them of 120 miles. The Dreos runs through the Sorrentes, the Serapilai, the Iasi, and the Asiantes. The Sabus, through the cold Piani, the Beruzzi, and these are the principal peoples. Besides them there are the Arivates, the Azales, the Amontini, the Belgites, and the Qatari, the Cornates, the Eravici, the Herculantes, the Latobi, the Ulcerates, the Vakunani, and in front of Mount Claudius, the Skordiski, behind it, the Taurisi. In the Sabus there is the island of Metabaris, the greatest of all the islands formed by rivers. Besides the above there are these other rivers worthy of mention, the Colapis, which flows into the Sabus near Cisquia, where dividing its channel it forms the island which is called Sogencia, and the river Bactanius, which flows into the Sabus at the town of Sermio, where we find the state of Serminusus and the Amonti. Forty-five miles thence is Tarunum, where the Sabus flows into the Danube, above which spot the Valanus and the Eropanus, themselves far from ignoble rivers, join that stream. CHAPTER 29 Moesia Joining up to Panonia is the province called Moesia, which runs with the course of the Danube as far as the Yuxin. It commences at the confluence previously mentioned. In it are the Dardani, the Silageri, the Trebali, the Timansi, the Moesi, the Thracians, and the Skithians, who border on the Yuxin. The more famous among its rivers are the Marges, which rises in the territory of Dardani, the Plingis, the Timacus, the Isis, which rises in Mount Rodop, and rising in Mount Hamas, the Eutas, the Asimus, and the Aetras. The breadth of Elykrium at its widest part is 325 miles, and its length from the River Arcia to the River Dronellius 530, from the Dronellius to the Promontory of Acronea, Agrippa, states to be 175 miles, and he says that the entire circuit of the Italian and Elykrian Gulf is 1700 miles. In this Gulf, according to the limits which we have drawn, are two seas, the Ionian in the first part and the Adriatic, which runs more inland and is called the Upper Sea. CHAPTER 30 Islands of the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic In the Alsonian Sea there are no islands worthy of notice beyond those which we have already mentioned and only a few in the Ionian, those for instance upon the Calabrian coast opposite Vundicium by the projection of which a harbor is formed, and over against the Apulian coast, Diomedia, remarkable for the monument of Diomedes, the other island called by the same name, but by some Tutria. The coast of Elykrium is clustered with more than 1,000 islands, the sea being of a shoalie nature, and numerous creeks and astuaries running with their narrow channels between portions of the land. The more famous are those before the mouths of the Timavis, which warm springs that rise with the tides of the sea. The island of Cisa near the territory of the Istria and the Polaria and the Absterides, also called by the Greeks from the circumference of Absteris, the brother of Medea having been slain there. Some islands near them have been called the Electrides, upon which amber, which they called Electrum, was said to be found. A most assured instance, however, of that untruthfulness, which is generally ascribed to the Greeks, seeing that has never yet been ascertained which of the islands were meant by them under that name. Opposite to the Iator is Lyssa, and other islands whose names have been already mentioned. Opposite to the Liberni are some islands called the Creti and no smaller number-style Liberni and no smaller number-style Libernici and Calodesi. Opposite to Sirium is Spavo and Bratia, famous for its goats, Issa with the rights of Roman citizens, and Faria with the town. At a distance of twenty-five miles from Issa is Corcraia, surnamed Malena, with a town founded by the Sindians, between which, and Elycrium, is Malite, from which, as we learn from Calimacus, is a certain kind of little dogs were called Malite. Fifteen miles from it we find the seven Elephites. In the Ionian sea at a distance of twelve miles from Oricum is Cessonis, notorious from having been a harbor of pirates. Summary The towns and nations mentioned are in number. The rivers of note are in number. The mountains of note are in number. The islands are in number. The towns or nations which have disappeared are in number. The facts, statements, and observations are in number. Three hundred and twenty-six. Roman authors quoted Terranius Grisilis, Cornelius Nepos, T. Livius, Cato the Sensor, Agrippa, and Baro. The Emperor Augustus now deified Baro Actancius, Antius, Hyginus, Elvichus, Thomponius Mela, Curia the Elder, Caelius, Aruntus, Sabossus, Lycinius, Macienus, Fabricius Tuscus, El Atinius Capito, Berius Lacus, El Piso, Galeonus, and Valerianus. Roman authors quoted Artemidoris, Alexander, Polyhyster, Theus Cladis, Theophorstus, Isidoris, Theopompus, Metrodoris of Sipis, Calicontres, Xenophon of Elampscus, Deodorus of Syracuse, Nymphodoris, Celfanis, and Timogenes. End of Section 22, recorded by J. Martin. Section 23 of The Natural History, Volume 1. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Joyce Martin. The Natural History, Volume 1, by Pliny the Elder, translated by John Bostock and Henry Thomas Reilly. Section 23. Book 4. An account of countries, nations, seas, towns, havens, mountains, rivers, distances, and peoples who now exist or formerly existed. Chapter 1. Epirus. The third great Gulf of Europe begins at the mountains of Acroserounia and ends at the Helispont, embracing an extent of 2,500 miles, exclusive of the sea line of 19 smaller gulfs. Upon it are Epirus, Arcarena, Etolia, Phosis, Locris, Achaea, Messinia, Laconia, Argolis, Magarius, Attica, Berosia, and again upon the other sea, the same Phokis and Locris, Doris, Photheotus, Thessalia, Magnesia, Macedonia, and Thoresia. All the fabulous lore of Greece, as well as the efflusions of her literature, first shone forth upon the banks of this Gulf, we shall therefore dwell a little the longer upon it. Epirus, generally so-called, begins at the mountains of Acroserounia. The first people that we meet are the Chaonis, from whom the Chaonia receives its name, then the Thesproti, and then the Antigonises. We then come to the place where Eornos stood, with its exhalation so deadly to the feathered rays, the Cestrini, the Ferrabi, in whose country Mount Pindus is situated, the Cassiope, the Draiopis, the Stelae, the Helopis, the Malossi, in whose territory is the temple of the Dodonian Jupiter, so famous for its oracle, and Mount Tamaris, so highly praised by Theopompus, with its hundred springs gushing from its foot. Epirus, properly so-called, advances toward Magnesia and Macedonia, having at its back the Dacerete previously mentioned, a free nation, and after them the Dardani, a savage race. On the left hand, before the Dardani, are extended the Trebali and the nations of Mosia, while in front of them the Medi and the Densolete join, and next to them the Thracians who stretch away, as far as the Yuxin, in such a manner is a rampart raised around the lofty heights of Roldov, and then of Hamus. On the coast of Epirus, is the Fortress of Shimara, situate upon the acro-Suranian range, and below it the spring known as the Royal Waters, then the towns of Medira and Cestria, and famous, a river of Thesprosia, colony of Beutrotum and the Embracean Gulf, so famed in history, which, with an inlet only half a mile in width, receives a vast body of water from the sea, being thirty-seven miles in length and fifteen in width. The river Acheron, which runs through Acherusia, a lake of Thesprosia, flows into it after a course of thirty-six miles. It is considered wonderful for its bridge, one thousand feet in length, by a people who look upon everything as wonderful that belongs to themselves. Upon this gulf is also situate the town of Embracea. There are also the Alphas and the Aractus rivers of the Malosi, the city of Anectoria, and the place where Pandosius stood. Number 2 Acheronia The towns of Acheronia, the ancient name of which was Curetus, are Heraclia, Echinus, and on the coast, Actium, a colony founded by Augustus, with its famous temple of Apollo and the free city of Nicopolis. Passing out of the Embracean Gulf into the Ionian Sea, we come to the coast of Lucadia, with a prominatory of Lucate, and then the gulf and the peninsula of Lucadia, which last was formerly called Noretius. By the exertions of the inhabitants, it was once cut off from the mainland, but was again joined to it by the vast bodies of sand accumulated through the action of the winds. This spot is called Dioryctos, and its three stadia in length. On the peninsula is the town of Lucas, formerly called Noretius. Next come to Elisa, Stratos, and Argos, surnamed Amphilotian, cities of the Arcaranians. The river Aculos flows from the heights of Pindus, and after separating Archania from Etolia, is vast adding the island of Artema to the mainland by the continual deposits of earth, which it brings down its stream. The peoples of Etolia are the Athamans, the Tyampi, the Ephiri, the Eninsus, the Pirhabi, the De Lopez, the Maraisis, and the Atresis, in whose territory rises the river Atrax, which flows into the Ionian Sea. Claydon is a city of Etolia, situated at a distance of seven miles from the sea and near the banks of the river Avinus. We then come to Mycenae and Mocria, beyond which lie Mount Calcius and Talfiasis. On the coast again there is the prominatory of Anterium, off which is the mouth of the Corinthian Gulf, which flows in and separates Etola from the Polypinesius, being less than one mile in width. The prominatory which faces it in the opposite side is called Rion. The towns of Etolia, however, on the Corinthian Gulf, are the Norpactus and the Pylene, and Moor inland, Palluron, and Haucerna. The most famous mountains are Tamaris, in the district of Dodona, Crania in Ambrosia, Aracinthus in Arcanania, and Acathion, Pytolium and Mycenaeum in Etolia. Chapter 4 Locris and Phosis Next to Etolia are the Locri, surnamed Azuli, a people exempt from tribute. Here is the town of Xanthe, the port of Apollofistius and the Gulf of Crisa. In the interior are the towns of Arginia, Eupalia, Faistum and Calamisus. Beyond are the Sahian Plains of Phosis, the town of Sira and the port of Callaeon, seven miles from which in the interior is situated the free town of Delphi, at the foot of Mount Parnassus and having the most celebrated oracle of Apollo throughout the whole world. There is the fountain too of Castalia and the river Cepheus, which flows past Delphi, rising in the former city of Lilaea. Besides these there is the town of Crisa and that of Antisira, with the Boulensus as also Nalocum, Pariah, Amphisia, exempt from all tribute, Tithron, Traetia, Ambraisus, and Rimea, which district has also the name of Teoulis. The extremity of the Gulf washes one corner of Bocia, with its towns of Cifae and Thebes, surnamed the Corsian. In the vicinity of Helicon, the third town of Bocia, in this sea, is that of Pagae, from which point the isthmus of the Peloponnesus projects in the form of a neck. Chapter 5 The Peloponnesus The Peloponnesus, which was formerly called Aepia and Pelagsea, is a peninsula inferior in fame to no land upon the face of the earth. Situate between the two seas, the Aegean and the Ionian, it is in shape like the leaf of a plain tree, in consequence of the angular indentations made in its shores, according to the Isidores. It is 563 miles in circumference, and nearly as much again allowing for the sea-line on the margin of its gulfs. The narrow pass at which it commences is known by the name of the isthmus. At this spot the two seas, which we have previously mentioned, running from the north and the east, invade the land from opposite sides and swallow up its entire breath, the result being that through these inroads in opposite directions of such vast bodies of water, the sides of the land are eaten away to such an extent that Halas only holds on to the Peloponnesus by the narrow neck, five miles in width, which intervenes. The gulfs thus formed, the one on this side, the other on that, are known as the Corinthian and the Seronic gulfs. The ports of Lichae on the one side and the Sencherae on the other form the frontiers of this narrow passage, which thus compels to a tedious and perilous circumnavigation such vessels as from their magnitude cannot be carried across by land on vehicles. For this reason it is that both King Demetrius, Caesar the Dictator, the Prince of Caes and Domitius Nero have at different times made the attempt to cut through this neck by forming a navigable channel, a profane design, as may be clearly seen by the result in every one of these instances. Upon the middle of this intervening neck, which we have called the Ismus, stands the Colony of Corinth, formerly known by the name of Ephrae, situate upon the brow of a hill, at a distance of sixty stadia from ashore of either sea. From the heights of its citadel, which is called acrocorinthos, or the heights of Corinth, and in which is the fountain of Parine, it looks down upon the two seas which lie in the opposite directions. From Leuchas to Patre upon the Corinthian Gulf is a distance of eighty-eight miles. The Colony of Patre is founded upon the most extensive promitory of the Peloponnesus, facing Etola and the river Ebonus and the Corinthian Gulf, being, as we have previously stated, less than a mile in width at the entrance there, though extending in length as far as the Ismus, a distance of eighty-five miles. CHAPTER 6 Achaia The province called Achaia begins at the Ismus. From the circumstance of its cities being ranged in regular succession on its coast, it formerly had the name of Aiglos. The first place there is Lechaia already mentioned, a port of the Corinthians, next to which is Ulros, a fortress of the people of Peline. Then the former towns Hallis and Bura, and the places in which their inhabitants took refuge after their towns had been swallowed up by the sea Sikon, namely Aegira, Aegium, and Aereos. In the interior are Selunai and Haseae. Then come the port of Panormus and Rium already mentioned, from which promitory of Petrae, of which we have previously spoken, is distant five miles, and then the place where Firae stood. Of the nine mountains of Achaia, Celsia is the most famous. There is also the fountain of Simothae. Beyond Petrae we find the town of Olinum, the colony of Daim, places where Bufrasium and Harimine once stood, the Oroxes, the Bay of Selen, and the promitory of Gelantes, at five miles distance from Silene. There is also the fortress of Philius, the district around which was called Homer Arrethira, and after this time Esopis. The territory of the Elenes then begins, who were formerly called Epi, with the city of Elis in the interior and at a distance of twelve miles from Philius, being also in the interior, the temple of Olympian Jupiter, whom by the universal celebrity of its games gives to Greece its mode of reckoning. Here, too, once stood the town of Pisa, the river Alpheus flowing past it. On the coast there is the promitory of Icthais. The river of Alpheus is navigable six miles nearly as far as the towns of Olinum and Lepreon. We next come to the promitory of Platonodes. All these localities lie to the west. Further south is the Gulf of Siparesis, with the city of Siparesia on its shores, the line of which is seventy-two miles in length. Then the towns of Pylos and Methon, the place where Helos stood, the promitory of Acretias, the Asinian Gulf, which takes its name from the town of Asin, and the Caronian, so-called from Caroni, which Gulfs terminate at the promitory of Tenerum. These are all in the country of Massinia, which has eighteen mountains and the river Pamesis also. In the interior are Massinai, Ithome, Ecalia, Arinae, Thelion, Thyron, Dorion, and Zancle, all of them known to fame at different periods. The margin of this Gulf measures eighty miles, the distance across being thirty. 8. Laconia At Tenerum begins the territory of Laconia, inhabited by a free nation, and situate on a Gulf of one hundred and six miles in circuit, and thirty-eight across. The towns are Tenerum, Amiclai, Ferai, and Lucretia, and in the interior Sparta, Theramine, and the spots where Camile, Pitane, and Anthea formally stood, the former site of Theria and Gerenia. Here is also Mount Tegatus, the river Eurotus, the Gulf of Iloides, the town of Samantus, the Gulf of Gaethium, so-called from the town of that name, from which place the passage is the safest across to the island of Crete. All these places are bounded by the promontory of Melia. 9. Argolas The next Gulf, which extends as far as Suleim, is called the Argolic Gulf, being fifty miles across and one hundred and sixty-two in circuit. The towns upon it are Boia, Epidaurus, surnamed Limeera, Zarax, and the port of Sipanta. The rivers are the Inacus and the Eresinus, between which lies Argos, surnamed Phibium, situate beyond the place called Lerna and at a distance of two miles from the sea. Nine miles further is Mycenae, and the place where it is said Theria stood, the site, too, of Mantinia. The mountains are Artemis, Episantus, Osterion, Popavus, and some others eleven in number. The fountains are those of Neobi, Amimon, and Semante. From Skelium to the Ishmith of Corinth is a distance of one hundred and seventy-seven miles. We find here the towns of Hermoni, Troisin, Corphasium, and Argos, sometimes called Inachian, sometimes Dipsian Argos. Then comes the port of Sinotes and the Sauronic Gulf, which was formerly encircled with a grove of Oaks, from which it derives its present name, Oaks, in ancient Greece, having been so-called. Upon this Gulf is the town of Epidares, famous for its Temple of Escapolis, the Prominentory of Sperium, the Port of Anthedus, Husephalus, and then Cancira, previously mentioned, on the side of the Ishmus, with its Temple of Neptune, famous for the games celebrated there every five years. So many are the gulfs which penetrate the shores of the Peloponnesus, so many the seas which howl around it. Invaded by the Ionian on the north, it is beaten by the Sicilian on the west, buffeted by the Cretian on the south, by the Aegean on the southeast, and by the Martoan in the northeast, which last sea begins at the Gulf of Magara and washes off all the coasts of Attica. 10. Arcadia Its interior is occupied for the greater part by Arcadia, which remote from the sea on every side was originally called Dramotes, and at a later period, Palaxies. The cities of Arcadia are Sophias, Mantia, Stamphalus, Taghia, Antigonia, Palatium, from which the Palatium at Rome derives its name, Megalopolis, Gortina, Baculeum, Carnion, Paresia, Thepusa, Malinae, Heureia, Piliae, Pallien, Agrae, Epium, Scionthe, Lepreon of Arcadia, Parthenium, Parthenium, Alia, Mithridrium, Ennispe, Massistum, Lampia, Clitorium, and Clinei, between which two last towns is the district of Namia, commonly known as Benbinadia. The mountains of Arcadia are Phello, with a town of the same name, Salim, Lyceus, upon which is the temple of Lycean Jupiter, Menelus, Artemisus, Parthenus, Lampius, Nonacreus, besides eight others of the same name. The rivers are the Laedon, which rises in the marshes of Phenas, and the Armanthias, which springs from the mountain of the same name and flows into the Alpheus. The other cities of Achea worthy of mention are those of the Alphareae, the Abetae, the Pagensus, Paroretae, the Paginitae, the Tortuni, the Taipani, the Thairisi, and the Tri-Tionces. Domitius Nero, the Emperor, granted liberty to the whole of Achea. The Paloponnesus, from the prominatory of Mela to the town of Aegeum on the Corinthian Gulf, is 190 miles in length, and 125 miles across from Elis to Epidorus, the distance being from Olympia to Argos, through Arcadia, 68 miles. The distance from Olympia to Phylis has been already mentioned. Throughout the whole of this region, as though nature had been desirous to compensate for the inroads of the sea, 76 mountains raised their lofty heads. End of section 23, recording by Joyce Martin.