 Section 34 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 Riley. Section 34. Chapter 33. Troas and the Adjoining Nations. The first place in Troas is Hamaxitus, then Sebrania, and then Troas itself, formerly called Antigonia, and now Alexandria, a Roman colony. We then come to the town of Nea and Scamander, a navigable river and the spot where in former times the town of Segeum stood upon a promontory. We next come to the port of the Achaeans, into which the Xanthus flows after its union with the Simoias, and forms the palace commander, which was formerly a lake. The other rivers rendered famous by Homer, namely the Rhesus, the Heptapurus, the Carisus, and the Rhodios have left no vestiges of their existence. The Granicus, taking a different route, flows into the Propontes. The small city of Scamandria, however, still exists, and at a distance a mile and a half from its harbor. Ilium, a place exempt from tribute, the fountainhead of universal fame. Beyond the gulf are the shores of Rotium, peopled by the towns of Rotium, Dardanium, and Arispe. There was also in former times a town of Achillion founded near the tomb of Achilles by the people of Mitaline, and afterwards rebuilt by the Athenians, close to the spot where his fleet had been stationed near Segeum. There was also the town of Antion, founded by the Rhodians upon the opposite point near the tomb of Ajax, at a distance of 30 stadia from Segeum, near the spot where his fleet was stationed. Above Aeolus and part of Troas, in the interior, is the place called Tuthurania, inhabited in ancient times by the Myseans. Here rises the river Caicos, already mentioned. Tuthurania was a powerful nation in itself, even when the whole of Aeolus was held by the Myseans. In it are the Pionae, Anderia, Andria, Cale, Stubulum, Cognisium, Theum, Bacea, Teare, Tuthernae, Sernaca, Halisernae, Lycid, Parthenium, Timbre, Oxipum, Ligdomum, Apollonia, and Perot. Pergamum, by far the most famous city in Asia, and through which the river Salinos runs. The Cetus, which rises in Mount Pindasis, flowing before it. Not far from it is Alea, which we have mentioned as situate on the seashore. The jurisdiction of this district is called that of Pergamus. To it resort the Baia Terene, the Moesne, the McDonald's, the Bregemne, the Hierocamente, the Perperene, the Tearene, the Hierolo Finances, the Hermocapalate, the Atalensis, the Pantinsis, the Apollonidiences, and some other states unknown to fame. The little town of Dardanum is distant from Roteum, 70 stadia. 18 miles dense is the promontory of Trapeza, from which spot the helispot first commences its course. Aristostanis tells us that in Asia there have perished the nations of Salimi, the Lelegues, the Babrises, the Cosanti, and the Tripsedri. Isidorus adds to these the Arimi, as also the Capreti settled on the spot where Appamea stands, which was founded by King Salucus, between Sicilia, Cataonia, and Armenia, and was at first called Dumea, from the fact that it had conquered nations most remarkable for their fierceness. Chapter 34 The Islands Which Lie in Front of Asia Of the islands which lie before Asia, the first is the one situate on the canopic mouth of the Nile, and which received its name it is said from Canopus, the pilot of Menileus. A second, called Poreus, is joined by a bridge to Alexandria, and was made a colony by the dictator Caesar. In former times it was one day sail from the mainland of Egypt. At the present day it directs ships in their course by means of the fires which are lighted at night on the tower there. For in consequence of the insidious nature of the shoals, there are only three channels by which Alexandria can be approached, those of Stegatmus, Poseidon, and Taurus. In the Phoenician Sea, before Jaffa, there is the island of Paria, the whole of it forming a town. Here, they say, Andromeda was exposed to the monster. The island also of Oradas, already mentioned, between which and the continent as we learn from Musianus, at a depth of fifty cubits in the sea, fresh water is brought up from a spring at the very bottom by means of leather pipes. Chapter 35 Cyprus The Pamphylian Sea contains some islands of little note. The Sicilian, besides four others, a very considerable size, has Cyprus, which lies opposite to the shores of Sicilia and Syria, running east and west. In former times, it was the seat of nine kingdoms. Timosthenes states that the circumference of this island is 427 miles, Isidorus 375. Its length between the two promontories of Diana and Akamaeus, lying on the west, is according to Artemidorus 160 and a half miles, according to Timosthenes 200. Phelonidus says that it was formerly called Akamanthus, Zernichorus that it had the names of Serastus, Aspelia, Amethusia, and Macaria, while Astonomas gives it the name of Croptus and Colonia. Its towns are fifteen in number, Neapophos, Palapophos, Curias, Citium, Curinium, Salamis, Amanthus, Lepothos, Soloae, Tamosos, Epidorum, Chatery, Arsino, Carpacium, and Golgi. The towns of Siniria, Marium, and Adalium are no longer in existence. It is distant from Anamerium in Sicilia, fifty miles, the sea which runs between the two shores being called the Channel of Sicilia. In the same locality is the island of Elucia, and the four islands known as the Clides, lying before the promontory which faces Syria, and again at the end of the other cape is Tyria, over against Neapophilus is Heracopia, and opposite to Salamis are the Salaminae. In the Lycian Sea are the islands of Eliris, Talendos, and Atalabusa, the three barren isles called Sopari and Dionysia, formerly called Carita. Opposite to the promontory of Taurus are the Celadonai, as many in number and extremely dangerous to mariners. Further on we find Lecola with its town, the Pactii, Lacea, Nymphaeisus, Lacea, Nymphaeis, Makris, and Magista, the city on which last no longer exists. After these there are many that are not worthy of notice. Opposite however to Cape Chimera is Doloshiste, Coriagola, Corogalian, Cranbusa, Rogue, Enagora, eight miles in circumference, the two islands of Dedala, the three of Cria, Strongale, and over against Sigmaya, the isle of Antiochus. Toward the mouth of the river Galacus there are Lagocia, Makris, Dedima, Helbo, Scope, Asipus, Talandria, the town of which no longer exists, and in the vicinity of Conus, Rodusa. Chapter 36. Roads But the fairest of them all is the Free Island of Roads, 125, or, if we would rather believe, Isodoras, 103 miles in circumference. It contains the inhabited cities of Lindos, Camirus, and Iolysis now called Rodos. It is distant from Alexandria in Egypt according to Isodoras, 583 miles, but according to Erathocene's 469, Musiana says that it's distant from Cyprus is 166. This island was formerly called Ophiusa, Asteria, Ithria, Triancre, Corumbia, Pioesa, Atiberia, from the name of one of its kings, and in later times Macaria and Oloessa. The islands of the Rodians are Carpathias, which has given its name to the surrounding sea. Casas, formerly known as Acne, Nysairos, 12 miles distant from Sindos, and formerly called Porphyrus, and in the same vicinity midway between Rhodes and Sinidos, Simne. This island is 37 miles and a half in circumference, and welcomes us with eight fine harbors. Besides these islands, there are in the vicinity of Rhodes, those of Cyclopus, Teaganon, Hordelusa, the four islands called Diabeti, Haimos, Calse, with its city of that name, Zutlusa, Narthacusa, Diamastos, Progne, and off-Sindos, Cesarusa, Therianarse, and Soledne, with the three towns of Noshim, Nysairos, and Mendenteros. In Arconesus, there is the town of Cerimus. Off the coast of Caria, there are the islands known as the Argyre, 20 in number, also Haetusa, Lepsia, and Leros. The most noted island, however, in this gulf is that of Kos, 15 miles distant from Haleacarnesus and 100 in circumference, according to the opinion of many riders. It was formerly called Mariope, according to Staphalos. Seia, Maropis, as Dionusus tells us, and after that, Nymphia. In this island, there is Mount Perion. Nysairos, formerly called Porphyrus, is supposed to have been severed from the island of Kos. We next come to the island of Coranda, with a city of that name, and that of Padosus, not far from Haleacarnesus. In the Gulf of Cerimicus, we also find Preiphanesus, Hipponesus, Sira, Maya, Lamsa, Amnidus, Posala, Cusa, Pinacusa, Sepiusa, and Milano. At the short distance from the mainland is an island which bears the name of Synodopolis, from the circumstance that King Alexander left behind their certain persons of a most disgraceful character. Chapter 37, Samos. The coast of Ionia has the islands of Trajai, Corsai, and Acaros, which has been previously mentioned. L'Ade, formerly called L'Ate, and among others of Nounot, the two come L'Ade in the vicinity of Miletus, and the three Trogilai near Macaulay, consisting of Filion, Archninon, and Sandalion. There is Samos, also a free island, 87 miles in circumference, or according to Isidorus 100. Aristotle tells us that it was at first called Prathynia, after that Drayusa, and then Anthemusa. To these names, Aristocrates has added Malamphilus and Carparisa. Other writers again call it Parifelnarusa and Stephanie. The rivers of this island are the Imbresus, the Cecius, and the Ibetes. There are also the fountains of Cigarthil, and Locothia, and Mount Ceretius. In the vicinity of Samos are the islands of Ripara, Nymphia, and Achilia. Chapter 38, Chios. At a distance of 94 miles from Samos is the free island of Chios. It's equal in fame with a town of the same name. Ephorus says that the ancient name of this island was Apalia. Metrodurus and Cleobulus tell us that it had the name of Chia from the Nymph Chione. Others again say that it was so called from the word signifying snow. It was also called Makris and Pityusa. It has a mountain called Pelinaeus, and the Chian marble is well known. It is 125 miles in circumference, according to the ancient writers. Isidurus, however, makes it nine more. It is situated between Samos and Lesbos, and for the most part lies opposite to Retheri. The adjacent islands are Thalusa, by some writers called Dafunsa, Enusa, Elafiates, Arianasa, and Agrianzua, with a town of that name. All these islands are in the vicinity of Ephesus, as also those called the islands of Pisistratus, Anthinae, Myanosus, Darusia. In both of these last, there were cities now longer in existence. Parosilianae, with a city of that name, Cersei, Halonee, Camonee, Elisha, Lepreia, and Respiria, Procusae, Bobulae, Faunae, Priapos, Saike, Malene, Annare, Sedusa, Pele, Dramusa, and Hydraeus, Scopelios, Sucasa, Marathusa, Sile, Pisale, Periusa, and many others of Nernot. In the main sea lies the celebrated Isle of Teos, with a city of that name, 71 miles and a half distant from Chios, and the same from Erythrae. In the vicinity of Smyrna are the Parasterides, Cateria, Halopeci, Eleusa, Bacchina, Cistera, Promomianosus, and Megalee. Facing Troas, there are the Asinai, and the three islands called Palatai. We find also the Lamiae, the two islands called Palantiae, Platae, Scopelios, Genton, Arithodon, Kolai, Lagusa, and Didimai. Chapter 39 Lesbos But Lesbos, distant from Chios, 65 miles, is the most celebrated of them all. It was formerly called Hermerte, Lasia, Palaxia, Ejira, Ethiope, and Makaria, and is famous for its nine cities. Of these, however, that of Pyrrha has been swallowed up by the sea. Arisbe has perished by an earthquake, and Methamna is now united to Antissa. These lie in the vicinity of nine cities of Asia, along a coast of 37 miles. The towns of Aga Mere and Hira have also perished. Arisos, Pyrrha, and the free city of Mitalene still survive, the last of which was a powerful city for a space of 1500 years. The circumference of the whole island is, according to Isidorus, 168 miles, but the older riders say 195. Its mountains are Lepithaiminus, Ordamnus, Machistus, Sirion, and Olympus. It is distant seven miles and a half from the nearest point of the mainland. The islands in its vicinity are Sandalion and the five called Luci, Sardonia, which is one of them, contains a warm spring. The Arginusae are four miles distant from Agae, and after them come Volusa and Pedna. Beyond the helispont and opposite the shore of Cedium lies Tenedos, also known by the names of Lucophyrus, Phonisai, and Lyrannisos. It is distant from Lesbos 56 miles and 12 and a half from Sibu. End of Section 34, Recording by Joyce Martin. Section 35 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 Jay Martin. The Natural History, Volume 1, by Pliny the Elder, translated by John Vostok and Henry Thomas Riley. Section 35. Chapter 40. The Helispont and Mycia. The tide of the helispont now begins to run with greater violence and the sea beats against the shore, undermining with its eddies the barriers that stand in its way until it has succeeded in separating Asia from Europe. At this spot is the promontory which we have already mentioned as Trapeza, ten miles distance from which is the city of Abidos, where the straits are only seven stadia wide. Then the town of Procote, Lampascus at first called Petusa, the colony of Parium, which Homer calls by the name of Adrastia, the town of Priapos, the river Esepus, Zelia, and then the Propontas, that being the name given to the tract of sea where it enlarges. We then come to the river Granicus, and the harbor of Arctes, where our town formally stood. Beyond this is an island which Alexander joined to the continent, and upon which is Saisisus, a city of the Malesians, which was formerly called Arctenisus, Deleonis, and Indimas. Above it are the heights of Mount Dundimus. We then come to the town of Plechia, Erikaia, and Skilace, in the rear of which places is Mount Olympus, known as the Mycian Olympus, and the city of Olympina. There are also the rivers Horaceus and Renatcus, formerly called the Lycus. This last river rises in Lake Artinius near Miltopolis and receives the Macedos and many other streams, dividing in its course Asia from Bithnia. This country was at first called by the name of Cronus. After that Thessalus, and then Milianda, and Strymonis. The people of it are by Homer called Halazones, from the fact that it was a nation begirt by the sea. There was formerly a vast city here, Atusa, by name. At present there are twelve cities in existence, among which is Gordiocome, otherwise Giuliopolis, and on the coast Thessalus. We then come to the river Galbeis, and in the interior the town of Helgus, or Germanicopolis, which has also the other name of Biscayte. Apamea, now more generally known as Merlia of the Colophonians. The river Athelius, also the ancient boundary of Troas, and the commencement of Mycia. Next to this comes the gulf into which the river Ascanus flows, the town of Beryllian and the rivers Hylas and Cios, with the town of the same name as the last mentioned river. It was founded by the Malesians at a place which was called Ascania of Fergia, as an entrepot for the trade of the Fergians who dwelt in the vicinity. We may therefore look upon this as not ineligible opportunity for making further mention of Fergia. Chapter 41 Fergia Fergia lies above Troas, and the people already mentioned as extending from the promontory of Lectum to the river Athelius. On its northern side it borders upon Galatia. On the south it joins Lyconia, Pisidia, and Mygodonia, and on the east it touches upon Cappadocia. The more celebrated towns there, besides those already mentioned, are Actyria, Andria, Salene, Colosse, Serena, Cotayon, Serene, Cognum, and Medaium. There are authors who say that the Mosti, the Bigri, in the Thiny Crossed-Over from Europe, and that from then are descended the people called the Myci, Fergais, and Bethany. Chapter 42 Galatia and the Adjoining Nations On this occasion also it seems that we ought to speak of Galatia, which lies above Fergia, and includes the greater part of the territory taken from that province, as also its former capital, Gordium. The Gauls who have settled in these parts are called the Tolestobogi, the Volchuri, and the Ambituti. Those who dwell in Myonia and Apollagonia are called the Trossini. Cappadocia stretches along to the northeast of Galatia, its most fertile parts being possessed by the Tectosages and the Tutobodiasi. These are the nations by which those parts are occupied, and they are divided into peoples and tetrarchies, 195 in number. Its towns are among the Tectosages, Anecra, among the Tracomi, Tavium, and among the Tolestobogi, Pesinos. Besides the above, the best known among the peoples of this region are the Actolensis, the Aracensis, the Comensis, the Didensis, the Herorensis, and the Lestrini, the Neapolitani, the Edensus, the Celusensus, the Celestoni, the Timonian Sensis, and the Thebesini. Galatia also touches upon Carbalia and Pamphylia and the Mili about Varus, also upon Solanticum and Oroandicum, a district of Pesidia, and Abuzin, a part of Lyconea. Besides those already mentioned, its rivers are the Sengarius and the Galas, from which, last, the priests of the mother of the gods have taken their name. Chapter 23 Bithnia And now, as to the remaining places on this coast, on the road from Sias into the interior is Prussia. In Bithnia, founded by Hannibal at the foot of Olympus, at a distance of twenty-five miles from Nicaea, Lake Escania is lying between them. We then come to Nicaea, formerly called Obia, and situate at the bottom of the Ascanian Gulf, as also a second place called Prussia at the foot of Mount Hypius. Pythopolis, Parenthopolis, and Corfantia are no longer in existence. Along the coast, we find the river Iseus, Biazon, Plataenus, Aries, Acyros, Gidos, also called Crasceroris, and the promontory upon which one stood the town of Megereus. The gulf that here runs inland received the name of Craspedides from the circumstance of that town lying, as it were, upon its skirt. A stagum also formerly stood here, from which the same gulf has received the name of the Estesinian. The town of Libisa formerly stood at the spot where we now see nothing but the tomb of Hannibal. At the bottom of the gulf lies Nicomedia, a famous city of Bithnia. Then comes the promontory of Lucatus, by which the Estesinian gulf is bounded and 37 miles distance from Nicomedia. And then the land again approaching the other side, the straits which extend as far as the Thracian Bosporus. Upon these are situate Calcedon, a free town 62 miles from Nicomedia, formerly called Proserastus, then Copusa, and after that the city of the blind, from the circumstance that its founders did not know where to build their city, Byzantium being only seven stadia distant, a site which is preferable in every respect. In the interior of Bithnia are the colony of Epemia, the Agrippinces, the Giulio Polite, the Bithnion, the River Serum, Lafias, Furnaceus, Alcus, Serenis, Lileus, Scopius, and Haerius, which separates Bithnia from Galatia. Beyond Calcedon formerly stood Chrysopolis, and then Nicopolis, of which the gulf upon which stands the port of Amicus, still retains the name. Then the promontory of Nalocum and Istai, a temple of Neptune. We then come to the Bosphorus, which again separates Asia from Europe, the distance across being half a mile. It is distant twelve miles and a half from Chalcedon. The first entrance of this straight is eight miles and three-quarters wide at the place where the town of Spyropolis formerly stood. The Thiny occupy the whole of the coast, the Bithiny, the interior. This is the termination of Asia, and of the two hundred and eighty-two peoples that are to be found between the gulf of Lycia and this spot. We have already mentioned the length of the health spot and propontus to the Thracian Bosphorus as being two hundred and thirty-nine miles. From Caledon to Sigum Isodorus makes the distance three hundred and twenty-two and one-half. Chapter forty-four The Islands of the Propontus The islands of the propontus are before Zizikus, elephanesis from which comes the Zizikin marble. It is also known by the names of Noris and Prokhanesis. Next comes Ophiusa, Acanthus, Phoebe, Scopelos, Porfrioni, Halone, with a city of that name, Delphesia, Paladora, and Artesion with its city. There is also opposite to Nicomedia, Domenosis, and beyond Herculia, and opposite to Bithnia, the island of Theneus, by the barbarians called Bithnia, and the island of Antiochus, and at the mouth of the Rinedecus, Bespikos eighteen miles in circumference, the islands also of Alea, the two called Rodusai and those of Erebinthus, Megale, Shositus, and Pitiodes. Summary Towns and nations spoken of, noted rivers, famous mountains, islands 118 in number. People or towns no longer in existence, remarkable events, narratives, and observations. Roman authors quoted Agrippa, Sictonius, Polinas, Mvarro, Aracinas, Cornelius, Nepos, Hyginus, Elvetus, Mila, Domitius, Garbulo, Lucinius, Makenus, Claudius Caesar, Arrudeus, Librus the son, Sibosus, the register of the triumphs. Foreign authors quoted King Giuba, Hecateus, Hellenicus, Domastes, Diarchus, Deitun, Temosthenes, Philonides, Zenagoras, Astonomus, Stapoleus, Aristoteles, Aristocrates, Dionysus, Ephurus, Aristothenus, Hipparchus, Panetius, Serapion of Antioch, Calomacus, Agathocles, Polybius, Timaeus the mathematician, Herodotus, Mercilus, Alexander Palaehistore, Metrodorus, Poseidonius, who wrote the Periplus and the Perigesis, Sultades, Periander, Aristarchus of Sycon, Zudorus, Anteogenes, Calacratus, Xenophon of Lemsacus, Diodorus of Syracuse, Hanno, Himilco, Nifrodorus, Caliphones, Artemidorus, Megastinese, Isidorus, Cleobolus, and Aristocrion. End of Section 35, Recording by J. Martin. End of the Natural History, Volume 1 of Pliny the Elder, translated by John Bostock and Henry Thomas Reilly.