BOOK III

.

AN ACCOUNT OF COUNTRIES, NATIONS, SEAS, TOWNS, HAVENS, MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, DISTANCES, AND PEOPLES WHO NOW EXIST OR FORMERLY EXISTED.

INTRODUCTION.

Thus far have I treated of the position and the wonders of the earth, of the waters, the stars, and the proportion of the universe and its dimensions. I shall now proceed to describe its individual parts; although indeed we may with reason look upon the task as of an infinite nature, and one not to be rashly commenced upon without incurring censure. And yet, on the other hand, there is nothing which ought less to require an apology, if it is only considered how far from surprising it is that a mere mortal cannot be acquainted with everything. I shall therefore not follow any single author, but shall employ, in relation to each subject, such writers as I shall look upon as most worthy of credit. For, indeed, it is the characteristic of nearly all of them, that they display the greatest care and accuracy in the description of the countries in which they respectively flourished; so that by doing this, I shall neither have to blame nor contradict any one.

The names of the different places will here be simply given, and as briefly as possible; the account of their celebrity, and the events which have given rise thereto, being deferred to a more appropriate occasion; for it must be remembered that I am here speaking of the earth as a whole, and I wish to be understood as using the names without any reference whatever to their celebrity, and as though the places themselves were in their infancy, and had not as yet acquired any fame through great events. The name is mentioned, it is true, but only as forming a part of the world and the system of the universe.

The whole globe is divided into three parts, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Our description commences where the sun sets and at the Straits of Gades[798], where the Atlantic ocean, bursting in, is poured forth into the inland seas. As it makes its entrance from that side, Africa is on the right hand and Europe on the left; Asia lies between them[799]; the boundaries being the rivers Tanais[800] and Nile. The Straits of the ocean, of which I have just spoken, extend fifteen miles in length and five[801] in breadth, measured from the village of Mellaria[802] in Spain to the Album Promontorium[803] or White Promontory in Africa, as we learn from Turranius Gracilis, who was born in that vicinity. Titus Livius and Cornelius Nepos however have stated the breadth, where it is least, to be seven miles, and where greatest, ten; from so small a mouth as this does so immense an expanse of water open upon us! Nor is our astonishment diminished by the fact of its being of great depth; for, instead of that, there are numerous breakers and shoals, white with foam, to strike the mariner with alarm. From this circumstance it is, that many have called this spot the threshold of The Inland Sea.

At the narrowest part of the Straits, there are mountains placed to form barriers to the entrance on either side, Abyla[804] in Africa, and Calpe[805] in Europe, the boundaries formerly of the labours of Hercules[806]. Hence it is that the inhabitants have called them the Columns of that god; they also believe that they were dug through by him; upon which the sea, which was before excluded, gained admission, and so changed the face of nature.

CHAP. 1. (1.)—THE BOUNDARIES AND GULFS OF EUROPE FIRST SET FORTH IN A GENERAL WAY.

I shall first then speak of Europe, the foster-mother of that people which has conquered all other nations, and itself by far the most beauteous portion of the earth. Indeed, many persons have, not without reason[807], considered it, not as a third part only of the earth, but as equal to all the rest, looking upon the whole of our globe as divided into two parts only, by a line drawn from the river Tanais to the Straits of Gades. The ocean, after pouring the waters of the Atlantic through the inlet which I have here described, and, in its eager progress, overwhelming all the lands which have had to dread its approach, skirts with its winding course the shores of those parts which offer a more effectual resistance, hollowing out the coast of Europe especially into numerous bays, among which there are four Gulfs that are more particularly remarkable. The first of these begins at Calpe, which I have previously mentioned, the most distant mountain of Spain; and bends, describing an immense curve, as far as Locri and the Promontory of Bruttium[808].

CHAP. 2.—OF SPAIN GENERALLY.

The first land situate upon this Gulf is that which is called the Farther Spain or Bætica[809]; next to which, beginning at the frontier town of Urgi[810], is the Nearer, or Tarraconensian[811] Spain, extending as far as the chain of the Pyrenees. The Farther Spain is divided lengthwise into two provinces, Lusitania[812] and Bætica, the former stretching along the northern side of the latter, and being divided from it by the river Ana[813].

The source of this river is in the district of Laminium[814], in the Nearer Spain. It first spreads out into a number of small lakes, and then again contracts itself into a narrow channel, or entirely disappears under ground[815], and after frequently disappearing and again coming to light, finally discharges itself into the Atlantic Ocean. Tarraconensian Spain lies on one side, contiguous to the Pyrenees, running downwards along the sides of that chain, and, stretching across from the Iberian Sea to the Gallic ocean[816], is separated from Bætica and Lusitania by Mount Solorius[817], the chains of the Oretani[818] and the Carpetani[819], and that of the Astures[820].

CHAP. 3.—OF BÆTICA.

Bætica, so called from the river which divides it in the middle, excels all the other provinces in the richness of its cultivation and the peculiar fertility and beauty of its vegetation.

It consists of four jurisdictions, those of Gades[821], of Corduba[822], of Astigi[823], and of Hispalis[824]. The total number of its towns is 175; of these nine are colonies[825], and eight municipal towns[826]; twenty-nine have been long since presented with the old Latin rights[827]; six are free towns[828], three federate[829], and 120 tributary.

In this district, the things that more especially deserve notice, or are more easily explained in the Latin tongue, are the following, beginning at the river Ana, along the line of the sea-shore; the town of Onoba, surnamed Æstuaria[830]; the rivers Luxia and Urium[831], flowing through this territory between the Ana and the Bætis; the Marian[832] Mountains; the river Bætis; the coast of Corum[833], with its winding bay; opposite to which is Gades, of which we shall have occasion to speak among the islands[834]. Next comes the Promontory of Juno[835], and the port of Bæsippo[836]; the towns of Bœlo[837] and Mellaria[838], at which latter begin the Straits of the Atlantic; Carteia[839], called by the Greeks Tartessos[840]; and the mountain of Calpe.

Along the coast of the inland sea[841] is the town of Barbesula[842] with its river; also Salduba[843]; the town of Suel[844]; and then Malaca[845], with its river, one of the federate towns. Next to this comes Mænoba[846], with its river; then Sexifirmum[847], surnamed Julium; Selambina[848]; Abdera[849]; and Murci[850], which is at the boundary of Bætica. M. Agrippa supposed that all this coast was peopled by colonists of Punic origin. Beyond the Anas, and facing the Atlantic, is the country of the Bastuli[851] and the Turditani. M. Varro informs us, that the Iberians, the Persians, the Phœnicians, the Celts, and the Carthaginians spread themselves over the whole of Spain; that the name “Lusitania” is derived from the games (_lusus_) of Father Bacchus, or the fury (_lyssa_[852]) of his frantic attendants, and that Pan[853] was the governor of the whole of it. But the traditions respecting Hercules[854] and Pyrene, as well as Saturn, I conceive to be fabulous in the highest degree.

The Bætis does not rise, as some writers have asserted, near the town of Mentisa[855], in the province of Tarraco, but in the Tugiensian Forest[856]; and near it rises the river Tader[857], which waters the territory of Carthage[858]. At Ilorcum[859] it turns away from the Funeral Pile[860] of Scipio; then taking a sweep to the left, it falls into the Atlantic Ocean, giving its name to this province: at its source it is but small, though during its course it receives many other streams, which it deprives as well of their waters as their renown. It first enters Bætica in Ossigitania[861], and glides gently, with a smooth current, past many towns situate on either side of its banks.

Between this river and the sea-shore the most celebrated places inland are Segida[862], also surnamed Augurina; Julia[863], called Fidentia; Urgao[864] or Alba, Ebora[865] or Cerealis, Iliberri[866] or Liberini, Ilipula[867] or Laus, Artigi[868] or Julienses, Vesci[869] or Faventia, Singili[870], Attegua[871], Arialdunum, Agla Minor[872], Bæbro[873], Castra Vinaria[874], Cisimbrium[875], Hippo Nova or New Hippo[876], Ilurco[877], Osca[878], Escua[879], Sucubo[880], Nuditanum, Old Tuati[881]; all which towns are in that part of Bastitania which extends towards the sea, but in the jurisdiction[882] of Corduba. In the neighbourhood of the river itself is Ossigi[883], also surnamed Laconicum, Iliturgi[884] or Forum Julium, Ipasturgi[885] or Triumphale, Setia, and, fourteen miles inland, Obulco[886], which is also called Pontificense.

Next to these comes Epora[887], a federate town, Sacili[888] Martialium, and Onoba[889]. On the right bank is Corduba, a Roman colony, surnamed Patricia[890]; here the Bætis first becomes navigable. There are also the towns of Carbula and Detunda[891], and the river Singulis[892], which falls into the Bætis on the same side.

The towns in the jurisdiction of Hispalis are the following: Celti, Arua[893], Canama[894], Evia, Ilipa[895], surnamed Illa, and Italica[896]. On the left of the river is the colony of Hispalis[897] named Romuliensis, and, on the opposite side[898], the town of Osset[899], surnamed Julia Constantia, Vergentum, or Julî Genius[900], Orippo, Caura[901], Siarum, and the river Menoba[902], which enters the Bætis on its right bank. Between the æstuaries of the Bætis lie the towns of Nebrissa[903], surnamed Veneria, and of Colobona[904]. The colonies are, Asta[905], which is also called Regia, and, more inland, that of Asido[906], surnamed Cæsariana.

The river Singulis, discharging itself into the Bætis at the place already mentioned, washes the colony of Astigi[907], surnamed Augusta Firma, at which place it becomes navigable. The other colonies in this jurisdiction which are exempt from tribute are Tucci, surnamed Augusta Gemella[908], Itucci called Virtus Julia[909], Attubi or Claritas Julia[910], Urso[911] or Genua Urbanorum; and among them in former times Munda[912], which was taken with the son of Pompey. The free towns are Old Astigi[913] and Ostippo[914]; the tributary towns are Callet, Callecula, Castra Gemina, the Lesser Ilipula, Merucra, Sacrana, Obulcula[915], and Oningis. As you move away from the sea-coast, near where the river Menoba is navigable, you find, at no great distance, the Alontigiceli and the Alostigi[916].

The country which extends from the Bætis to the river Anas, beyond the districts already described, is called Bæturia, and is divided into two parts and the same number of nations; the Celtici[917], who border upon Lusitania, in the jurisdiction of Hispalis, and the Turduli, who dwell on the verge[918] of Lusitania and Tarraconensis, and are under the protection of the laws of Corduba. It is evident that the Celtici have sprung from the Celtiberi, and have come from Lusitania, from their religious rites, their language, and the names of their towns, which in Bætica are distinguished by the following epithets[919], which have been given to them. Seria has received the surname of Fama Julia[920], Nertobriga that of Concordia Julia[921], Segida that of Restituta Julia[922], and Contributa[923] that of Julia. What is now Curiga was formerly Ucultuniacum, Constantia Julia[924] was Laconimurgis, the present Fortunales were the Tereses[925], and the Emanici were the Callenses[926]. Besides these, there are in Celtica the towns of Acinippo[927], Arunda[928], Aruci[929], Turobriga, Lastigi, Salpesa, Sæpone, and Serippo.

The other Bæturia, which we have mentioned, is inhabited by the Turduli, and, in the jurisdiction of Corduba, has some towns which are by no means inconsiderable; Arsa[930], Mellaria[931], Mirobriga[932], and Sisapo[933], in the district of Osintias.

To the jurisdiction of Gades belongs Regina, with Roman citizens; and Læpia, Ulia[934], Carisa[935] surnamed Aurelia, Urgia[936] or Castrum Julium, likewise called Cæsaris Salutariensis, all of which enjoy the Latian rights. The tributary towns are Besaro, Belippo[937], Barbesula, Lacippo, Bæsippo, Callet, Cappacum, Oleastro, Ituci, Brana, Lacibi, Saguntia[938], and Audorisæ.

M. Agrippa has also stated the whole length of this province to be 475 miles[939], and its breadth 257; but this was at a time when its boundaries extended to Carthage[940], a circumstance which has often caused great errors in calculations; which are generally the result either of changes effected in the limits of provinces, or of the fact that in the reckoning of distances the length of the miles has been arbitrarily increased or diminished. In some parts too the sea has been long making encroachments upon the land, and in others again the shores have advanced; while the course of rivers in this place has become more serpentine, in that more direct. And then, besides, some writers begin their measurements at one place, and some at another, and so proceed in different directions; and hence the result is, that no two accounts agree.

(2.) At the present day the length of Bætica, from the town of Castulo[941], on its frontier, to Gades is 250 miles, and from Murci, which lies on the sea-coast, twenty-five miles more. The breadth, measured from the coast of Carteia, is 234 miles. Who is there that can entertain the belief that Agrippa, a man of such extraordinary diligence, and one who bestowed so much care on his subject, when he proposed to place before the eyes of the world a survey of that world, could be guilty of such a mistake as this, and that too when seconded by the late emperor the divine Augustus? For it was that emperor who completed the Portico[942] which had been begun by his sister, and in which the survey was to be kept, in conformity with the plan and descriptions of M. Agrippa.

CHAP. 4. (3.)—OF NEARER SPAIN.

The ancient form of the Nearer Spain, like that of many other provinces, is somewhat changed, since the time when Pompey the Great, upon the trophies which he erected in the Pyrenees, testified that 877 towns, from the Alps to the borders of the Farther Spain, had been reduced to subjection by him. The whole province is now divided into seven jurisdictions, those of Carthage[943], of Tarraco, of Cæsar Augusta[944], of Clunia[945], of Asturica[946], of Lucus[947], and of the Bracari[948]. To these are to be added the islands, which will be described on another occasion, as also 293 states which are dependent on others; besides which the province contains 179 towns. Of these, twelve are colonies, thirteen, towns with the rights of Roman citizens, eighteen with the old Latian rights, one confederate, and 135 tributary.

The first people that we come to on the coast are the Bastuli; after whom, proceeding according to the order which I shall follow, as we go inland, there are the Mentesani, the Oretani, and the Carpetani on the Tagus, and next to them the Vaccæi, the Vectones, and the Celtiberian Arevaci. The towns nearest to the coast are Urci, and Barea[949] included in Bætica, the district of Mavitania, next to it Deitania, and then Contestania, and the colony of Carthago Nova; from the Promontory of which, known as the Promontorium Saturni[950], to the city of Cæsarea[951] in Mauritania, the passage is a distance of 187 miles. The remaining objects worthy of mention on the coast are the river Tader[952], and the free colony of Ilici[953], whence the Ilicitanian Gulf[954] derives its name; to this colony the Icositani are subordinate.

We next have Lucentum[955], holding Latian rights; Dianium[956], a tributary town; the river Sucro[957], and in former times a town of the same name, forming the frontier of Contestania. Next is the district of Edetania, with the delightful expanse of a lake[958] before it, and extending backward to Celtiberia. Valentia[959], a colony, is situate three miles from the sea, after which comes the river Turium[960], and Saguntum[961] at the same distance, a town of Roman citizens famous for its fidelity, the river Uduba[962], and the district of the Ilergaones[963]. The Iberus[964], a river enriched by its commerce, takes its rise in the country of the Cantabri, not far from the town of Juliobriga[965], and flows a distance of 450 miles; 260 of which, from the town of Varia[966] namely, it is available for the purposes of navigation. From this river the name of Iberia has been given by the Greeks to the whole of Spain.

Next comes the district of Cossetania, the river Subi[967], and the colony of Tarraco, which was built by the Scipios as Carthage[968] was by the Carthaginians. Then the district of the Ilergetes, the town of Subur[969], and the river Rubricatum[970], beyond which begin the Laletani and the Indigetes[971]. Behind these, in the order in which they will be mentioned, going back from the foot of the Pyrenees, are the Ausetani[972], the Lacetani[973], and along the Pyrenees, the Cerretani[974], next to whom are the Vascones[975]. On the coast is the colony of Barcino[976], surnamed Faventia; Bætulo[977] and Iluro[978], towns with Roman citizens; the river Larnum[979], Blandæ[980], the river Alba[981]; Emporiæ[982], a city consisting of two parts, one peopled by the original inhabitants, the other by the Greek descendants of the Phocæans; and the river Ticher[983]. From this to the Venus Pyrenæa[984], on the other side of the Promontory, is a distance of forty miles.

I shall now proceed to give an account of the more remarkable things in these several jurisdictions, in addition to those which have been already mentioned. Forty-three different peoples are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Tarraco: of these the most famous are—holding the rights of Roman citizens, the Dertusani[985] and the Bisgargitani; enjoying Latian rights, the Ausetani, and the Cerretani, both Julian and Augustan, the Edetani[986], the Gerundenses[987], the Gessorienses[988], and the Teari[989], also called Julienses. Among the tributaries are the Aquicaldenses[990], the Onenses, and the Bæculonenses[991].

Cæsar Augusta, a free colony, watered by the river Iberus, on the site of the town formerly called Salduba, is situate in the district of Edetania, and is the resort of fifty-five nations. Of these there are, with the rights of Roman citizens, the Bellitani[992], the Celsenses[993], a former colony, the Calagurritani[994], surnamed the Nassici, the Ilerdenses[995], of the nation of the Surdaones, near whom is the river Sicoris, the Oscenses[996] in the district of Vescitania, and the Turiasonenses[997]. Of those enjoying the rights of the ancient Latins, there are the Cascantenses[998], the Ergavicenses[999], the Graccuritani[1000], the Leonicenses[1001], and the Osicerdenses; of federate states, there are the Tarragenses[1002]; and of tributaries, the Arcobrigenses[1003], the Andologenses[1004], the Aracelitani[1005], the Bursaonenses[1006], the Calagurritani[1007], who are also surnamed the Fibularenses, the Complutenses[1008], the Carenses[1009], the Cincenses[1010], the Cortonenses, the Damanitani[1011], the Larnenses[1012], the Lursenses[1013], the Lumberitani[1014], the Lacetani, the Lubienses, the Pompelonenses[1015], and the Segienses.

Sixty-five different nations resort to Carthage[1016], besides the inhabitants of the islands. Of the Accitanian[1017] colony, there are the Gemellenses, and the town of Libisosona[1018], surnamed Foroaugustana, to both of which have been granted Italian[1019] rights. Of the colony of Salaria[1020], there are the people of the following towns, enjoying the rights of ancient Latium: the Castulonenses, also called the Cæsari Venales, the Sætabitani[1021] or Augustani, and the Valerienses[1022]. The best known among the tributaries are the Alabanenses[1023], the Bastitani[1024], the Consaburrenses[1025], the Dianenses[1026], the Egelestani[1027], the Ilorcitani[1028], the Laminitani, the Mentesani[1029], both those called Oritani and those called Bastuli, and the Oretani who are surnamed Germani[1030], the people of Segobriga[1031] the capital of Celtiberia, those of Toletum[1032] the capital of Carpetania, situate on the river Tagus, and after them the Viatienses and the Virgilienses[1033].

To the jurisdiction of Clunia[1034] the Varduli contribute fourteen nations, of whom we need only particularize the Albanenses[1035], the Turmodigi[1036], consisting of four tribes, among which are the Segisamonenses[1037] and the Segisamaiulienses. To the same jurisdiction belong the Carietes[1038] and the Vennenses with five states, among which are the Velienses. Thither too resort the Pelendones of the Celtiberians, in four different nations, among whom the Numantini[1039] were especially famous. Also, among the eighteen states of the Vaccæi, there are the Intercatienses[1040], the Pallantini[1041], the Lacobrigenses, and the Caucenses[1042]. But among the seven peoples belonging to the Cantabri, Juliobriga[1043] is the only place worthy of mention; and of the ten states of the Autrigones, Tritium and Virovesca[1044]. The river Areva[1045] gives its name to the Arevaci; of whom there are six towns, Segontia[1046] and Uxama[1047], names which are frequently given to other places, as also Segovia[1048] and Nova Augusta, Termes[1049], and Clunia itself, the frontier of Celtiberia. The remaining portion turns off towards the ocean, being occupied by the Varduli, already mentioned, and the Cantabri.

Next upon these touch the twenty-two nations of the Astures, who are divided into the Augustani[1050] and the Transmontani, with the magnificent city of Asturica. Among these we have the Cigurri[1051], the Pæsici, the Lancienses[1052], and the Zoëlæ[1053]. The total number of the free population amounts to 240,000 persons.

The jurisdiction of Lucus[1054] embraces, besides the Celtici and the Lebuni, sixteen different nations, but little known and with barbarous names. The number however of the free population amounts to nearly 166,000.

In a similar manner the twenty-four states of the jurisdiction of the Bracari contain a population of 175,000, among whom, besides the Bracari[1055] themselves, we may mention, without wearying the reader, the Bibali, the Cœlerni, the Gallæci, the Hequæsi, the Limici, and the Querquerni.

The length of the Nearer Spain, from the Pyrenees to the frontier of Castulo, is 607[1056] miles, and a little more if we follow the line of the coast; while its breadth, from Tarraco to the shore of Olarson[1057], is 307[1058] miles. From the foot of the Pyrenees, where it is wedged in by the near approach of the two seas, it gradually expands until it touches the Farther Spain, and thereby acquires a width more than double[1059].

Nearly the whole of Spain abounds in mines[1060] of lead, iron, copper, silver, and gold; in the Nearer Spain there is also found lapis specularis[1061]; in Bætica there is cinnabar. There are also quarries of marble. The Emperor Vespasianus Augustus, while still harassed by the storms that agitated the Roman state, conferred the Latian rights on the whole of Spain. The Pyrenean mountains divide Spain from Gaul, their extremities projecting into the two seas on either side.

CHAP. 5. (4.)—OF THE PROVINCE OF GALLIA NARBONENSIS.

That part of the Gallias which is washed by the inland sea[1062] is called the province of [Gallia] Narbonensis[1063], having formerly borne the name of Braccata[1064]. It is divided from Italy by the river Varus[1065], and by the range of the Alps, the great safeguards of the Roman Empire. From the remainder of Gaul, on the north, it is separated by the mountains Cebenna[1066] and Jura[1067]. In the cultivation of the soil, the manners and civilization of the inhabitants, and the extent of its wealth, it is surpassed by none of the provinces, and, in short, might be more truthfully described as a part of Italy than as a province. On the coast we have the district of the Sordones[1068], and more inland that of the Consuarani[1069]. The rivers are the Tecum and the Vernodubrum[1070]. The towns are Illiberis[1071], the scanty remains of what was formerly a great city, and Ruscino[1072], a town with Latian rights. We then come to the river Atax[1073], which flows from the Pyrenees, and passes through the Rubrensian Lake[1074], the town of Narbo Martius, a colony of the tenth legion, twelve miles distant from the sea, and the rivers Arauris[1075] and Liria[1076]. The towns are otherwise but few in number, in consequence of the numerous lakes[1077] which skirt the sea-shore. We have Agatha[1078], formerly belonging to the Massilians, and the district of the Volcæ Tectosages[1079]; and there is the spot where Rhoda[1080], a Rhodian colony, formerly stood, from which the river takes its name of Rhodanus[1081]; a stream by far the most fertilizing of any in either of the Gallias. Descending from the Alps and rushing through lake Lemanus[1082], it carries along with it the sluggish Arar[1083], as well as the torrents of the Isara and the Druentia[1084], no less rapid than itself. Its two smaller mouths are called Libica[1085], one being the Spanish, and the other the Metapinian mouth; the third and largest is called the Massiliotic[1086]. There are some authors who state that there was formerly a town called Heraclea[1087] at the mouth of the Rhodanus or Rhone.

Beyond this are the Canals[1088] leading out of the Rhone, a famous work of Caius Marius, and still distinguished by his name; the Lake of Mastramela[1089], the town of Maritima[1090] of the Avatici, and, above this, the Stony Plains[1091], memorable for the battles of Hercules; the district of the Anatilii[1092], and more inland, that of the Desuviates[1093] and the Cavari. Again, close upon the sea, there is that of the Tricorii[1094], and inland, there are the Tricolli[1095], the Vocontii[1096], and the Segovellauni, and, after them, the Allobroges[1097].

On the coast is Massilia, a colony of Phocæan[1098] Greeks, and a federate[1099] city; we then have the Promontory of Zao[1100], the port of Citharista[1101], and the district of the Camatullici[1102]; then the Suelteri[1103], and above them the Verrucini[1104]. Again, on the coast, we find Athenopolis[1105], belonging to the Massilians, Forum Julii[1106] Octavanorum, a colony, which is also called Pacensis and Classica, the river Argenteus[1107], which flows through it, the district of the Oxubii[1108] and that of the Ligauni[1109]; above whom are the Suetri[1110], the Quariates[1111] and the Adunicates[1112]. On the coast we have Antipolis[1113], a town with Latian rights, the district of the Deciates, and the river Varus, which proceeds from Mount Cema, one of the Alps.

The colonies in the interior are Arelate Sextanorum[1114], Beterræ Septimanorum[1115], and Arausio[1116] Secundanorum; Valentia[1117] in the territory of the Cavari, and Vienna[1118] in that of the Allobroges. The towns that enjoy Latian rights are Aquæ Sextiæ[1119] in the territory of the Saluvii, Avenio[1120] in that of the Cavari, Apta Julia[1121] in that of the Volgientes, Alebece[1122] in that of the Reii Apollinares, Alba[1123] in that of the Helvi, and Augusta[1124] in that of the Tricastini, Anatilia, Aeria[1125], the Bormanni[1126], the Comaci, Cabellio[1127], Carcasum[1128] in the territory of the Volcæ Tectosages, Cessero[1129], Carpentoracte[1130] in the territory of the Memini, the Cenicenses[1131], the Cambolectri[1132], surnamed the Atlantici, Forum[1133] Voconi, Glanum Livi[1134], the Lutevani[1135], also called the Foroneronienses[1136], Nemausum[1137] in the territory of the Arecomici, Piscenæ[1138], the Ruteni[1139], the Sanagenses[1140], the Tolosani[1141] in the territory of the Tectosages on the confines of Aquitania, the Tasconi[1142], the Tarusconienses[1143], the Umbranici[1144], Vasio[1145] and Lucus Augusti[1146], the two capitals of the federate state of the Vocontii. There are also nineteen towns of less note, as well as twenty-four belonging to the people of Nemausum. To this list[1147] the Emperor Galba added two tribes dwelling among the Alps, the Avantici[1148] and the Bodiontici, to whom belongs the town of Dinia[1149]. According to Agrippa the length of the province of Gallia Narbonensis is 370 miles, and its breadth 248[1150].

CHAP. 6. (5.)—OF ITALY.

Next comes Italy, and we begin with the Ligures[1151], after whom we have Etruria, Umbria, Latium, where the mouths of the Tiber are situate, and Rome, the Capital of the world, sixteen miles distant from the sea. We then come to the coasts of the Volsci and of Campania, and the districts of Picenum, of Lucania, and of Bruttium, where Italy extends the farthest in a southerly direction, and projects into the [two] seas with the chain of the Alps[1152], which there forms pretty nearly the shape of a crescent. Leaving Bruttium we come to the coast of [Magna] Græcia, then the Salentini, the Pediculi, the Apuli, the Peligni, the Frentani, the Marrucini, the Vestini, the Sabini, the Picentes, the Galli, the Umbri, the Tusci, the Veneti, the Carni, the Iapydes, the Histri, and the Liburni.

I am by no means unaware that I might be justly accused of ingratitude and indolence, were I to describe thus briefly and in so cursory a manner the land which is at once the foster-child[1153] and the parent of all lands; chosen by the providence of the Gods to render even heaven itself more glorious[1154], to unite the scattered empires of the earth, to bestow a polish upon men’s manners, to unite the discordant and uncouth dialects of so many different nations by the powerful ties of one common language, to confer the enjoyments of discourse and of civilization upon mankind, to become, in short, the mother-country of all nations of the Earth.

But how shall I commence this undertaking? So vast is the number of celebrated places (what man living could enumerate them all?), and so great the renown attached to each individual nation and subject, that I feel myself quite at a loss. The city of Rome alone, which forms a portion of it, a face well worthy of shoulders so beauteous, how large a work would it require for an appropriate description! And then too the coast of Campania, taken singly by itself! so blest with natural beauties and opulence, that it is evident that when nature formed it she took a delight in accumulating all her blessings in a single spot—how am I to do justice to it? And then the climate, with its eternal freshness and so replete with health and vitality, the sereneness of the weather so enchanting, the fields so fertile, the hill sides so sunny, the thickets so free from every danger, the groves so cool and shady, the forests with a vegetation so varying and so luxuriant, the breezes descending from so many a mountain, the fruitfulness of its grain, its vines, and its olives so transcendent; its flocks with fleeces so noble, its bulls with necks so sinewy, its lakes recurring in never-ending succession, its numerous rivers and springs which refresh it with their waters on every side, its seas so many in number, its havens and the bosom of its lands opening everywhere to the commerce of all the world, and as it were eagerly stretching forth into the very midst of the waves, for the purpose of aiding as it were the endeavours of mortals!

For the present I forbear to speak of its genius, its manners, its men, and the nations whom it has conquered by eloquence and force of arms. The very Greeks themselves, a race fond in the extreme of expatiating on their own praises, have amply given judgment in its favour, when they named but a small part of it ‘Magna Græcia[1155].’ But we must be content to do on this occasion as we have done in our description of the heavens; we must only touch upon some of these points, and take notice of but a few of its stars. I only beg my readers to bear in mind that I am thus hastening on for the purpose of giving a general description of everything that is known to exist throughout the whole earth.

I may premise by observing that this land very much resembles in shape an oak leaf, being much longer than it is broad; towards the top it inclines to the left[1156], while it terminates in the form of an Amazonian buckler[1157], in which the spot at the central projection is the place called Cocinthos, while it sends forth two horns at the end of its crescent-shaped bays, Leucopetra on the right and Lacinium on the left. It extends in length 1020 miles, if we measure from the foot of the Alps at Prætoria Augusta, through the city of Rome and Capua to the town of Rhegium, which is situate on the shoulder of the Peninsula, just at the bend of the neck as it were. The distance would be much greater if measured to Lacinium, but in that case the line, being drawn obliquely, would incline too much to one side. Its breadth is variable; being 410 miles between the two seas, the Lower and the Upper[1158], and the rivers Varus and Arsia[1159]: at about the middle, and in the vicinity of the city of Rome, from the spot where the river Aternus[1160] flows into the Adriatic sea, to the mouth of the Tiber, the distance is 136 miles, and a little less from Castrum-novum on the Adriatic sea to Alsium[1161] on the Tuscan; but in no place does it exceed 200 miles in breadth. The circuit of the whole, from the Varus to the Arsia, is 3059 miles[1162].

As to its distance from the countries that surround it—Istria and Liburnia are, in some places[1163], 100 miles from it, and Epirus and Illyricum 50; Africa is less than 200, as we are informed by M. Varro; Sardinia[1164] is 120, Sicily 1-1/2, Corsica less than 80, and Issa[1165] 50. It extends into the two seas towards the southern parts of the heavens, or, to speak with more minute exactness, between the sixth[1166] hour and the first hour of the winter solstice.

We will now describe its extent and its different cities; in doing which, it is necessary to premise, that we shall follow the arrangement of the late Emperor Augustus, and adopt the division which he made of the whole of Italy into eleven districts; taking them, however, according to their order on the sea-line, as in so hurried a detail it would not be possible otherwise to describe each city in juxtaposition with the others in its vicinity. And for the same reason, in describing the interior, I shall follow the alphabetical order which has been adopted by that Emperor, pointing out the colonies of which he has made mention in his enumeration. Nor is it a very easy task to trace their situation and origin; for, not to speak of others, the Ingaunian Ligurians have had lands granted to them as many as thirty different times.

CHAP. 7.—OF THE NINTH[1167] REGION OF ITALY.

To begin then with the river Varus; we have the town of Nicæa[1168], founded by the Massilians, the river Paulo[1169], the Alps and the Alpine tribes, distinguished by various names[1170], but more especially the Capillati[1171], Cemenelio[1172], a town of the state of the Vediantii, the port of Hercules Monæcus[1173], and the Ligurian coast. The more celebrated of the Ligurian tribes beyond the Alps are the Salluvii, the Deciates, and the Oxubii[1174]; on this side of the Alps, the Veneni[1175], and the Vagienni, who are derived from the Caturiges[1176], the Statielli[1177], the Bimbelli[1178], the Magelli, the Euburiates, the Casmonates[1179], the Veleiates[1180], and the peoples whose towns we shall describe as lying near the adjoining coast. The river Rutuba[1181], the town of Albium Intemelium[1182], the river Merula[1183], the town of Albium Ingaunum[1184], the port of Vadum Sabatiorum[1185], the river Porcifera[1186], the town of Genua, the river Feritor[1187], the Portus Delphini[1188], Tigullia[1189], Tegesta[1190] of the Tigullii, and the river Macra[1191], which is the boundary of Liguria.

Extending behind all the before-mentioned places are the Apennines, the most considerable of all the mountains of Italy, the chain of which extends unbroken from the Alps[1192] to the Sicilian sea. On the other side of the Apennines, towards the Padus[1193], the richest river of Italy, the whole country is adorned with noble towns; Libarna[1194], the colony of Dertona[1195], Iria[1196], Barderate[1197], Industria[1198], Pollentia[1199], Carrea surnamed Potentia[1200], Foro Fulvî or Valentinum[1201], Augusta[1202] of the Vagienni, Alba Pompeia[1203], Asta[1204], and Aquæ Statiellorum[1205]. This is the ninth region, according to the arrangement of Augustus. The coast of Liguria extends 211 miles[1206], between the rivers Varus and Macra.

CHAP. 8.—THE SEVENTH REGION OF ITALY.

Next to this comes the seventh region, in which is Etruria, a district which begins at the river Macra, and has often changed its name. At an early period the Umbri were expelled from it by the Pelasgi; and these again by the Lydians, who from a king of theirs[1207] were named Tyrrheni, but afterwards, from the rites observed in their sacrifices, were called, in the Greek language[1208], Tusci. The first town in Etruria is Luna[1209], with a noble harbour, then the colony of Luca[1210], at some distance from the sea, and nearer to it again the colony of Pisæ[1211], between the rivers Auser[1212] and Arnus[1213], which owes its origin to Pelops and the Pisans[1214], or else to the Teutani, a people of Greece. Next is Vada[1215] Volaterrana, then the river Cecinna[1216], and Populonium[1217] formerly belonging to the Etrurians, the only town they had on this coast. Next to these is the river Prile[1218], then the Umbro[1219], which is navigable, and where the district of Umbria begins, the port of Telamon[1220], Cosa[1221] of the Volcientes, founded by the Roman people, Graviscæ[1222], Castrum novum[1223], Pyrgi[1224], the river Cæretanus[1225], and Cære[1226] itself, four miles inland, called Agylla by the Pelasgi who founded it, Alsium[1227], Fregenæ[1228], and the river Tiber, 284[1229] miles from the Macra.

In the interior we have the colonies of Falisci[1230], founded by the Argives, according to the account of Cato[1231], and surnamed Falisci Etruscorum, Lucus Feroniæ[1232], Rusellana, the Senienses[1233], and Sutrina[1234]. The remaining peoples are the Arretini[1235] Veteres, the Arretini Fidentes, the Arretini Julienses, the Amitinenses, the Aquenses, surnamed Taurini[1236], the Blerani[1237], the Cortonenses[1238], the Capenates[1239], the Clusini Novi, the Clusini Veteres[1240], the Florentini[1241], situate on the stream of the Arnus, Fæsulæ[1242], Ferentinum[1243], Fescennia[1244], Hortanum[1245], Herbanum[1246], Nepeta[1247], Novem Pagi[1248], the Claudian præfecture of Foroclodium[1249], Pistorium[1250], Perusia[1251], the Suanenses, the Saturnini, formerly called the Aurinini, the Subertani[1252], the Statones[1253], the Tarquinienses[1254], the Tuscanienses[1255], the Vetulonienses[1256], the Veientani[1257], the Vesentini[1258], the Volaterrani[1259], the Volcentini[1260], surnamed Etrusci, and the Volsinienses[1261]. In the same district the territories of Crustumerium[1262] and Caletra[1263] retain the names of the ancient towns.

CHAP. 9.—THE FIRST REGION OF ITALY[1264]; THE TIBER; ROME.

The Tiber or Tiberis, formerly called Thybris, and previously Albula[1265], flows down from nearly the central part of the chain of the Apennines, in the territory of the Arretini. 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[1266] and the Glanis, 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[1267], Perusia, and Ocriculum[1268], and dividing Etruria from the Umbri[1269] and the Sabini[1270], and then, at a distance of less than sixteen miles from the city, separating the territory of Veii from that of Crustuminum, and afterwards that of the Fidenates and of Latium from Vaticanum.

Below its union with the Glanis from Arretinum the Tiber is swollen by two and forty streams, particularly the Nar[1271] 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 rise 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[1272] as pregnant with prophetic warnings to us, and in its increase to be considered more as a promoter of religion than a source of devastation.

Latium[1273] has preserved its original limits, from the Tiber to Circeii[1274], a distance of fifty miles: so slender at the beginning were the roots from which this our Empire sprang. Its inhabitants have been often changed, and different nations have peopled it at different times, the Aborigines, the Pelasgi, the Arcades, the Seculi, the Aurunci, the Rutuli, and, beyond Circeii, the Volsci, the Osci, and the Ausones whence the name of Latium came to be extended as far as the river Liris[1275].

We will begin with Ostia[1276], a colony founded by a king of Rome, the town of Laurentum[1277], the grove of Jupiter Indiges[1278], the river Numicius[1279], and Ardea[1280], founded by Danaë, the mother of Perseus. Next come the former site of Aphrodisium[1281], the colony of Antium[1282], the river and island called Astura[1283], the river Nymphæus[1284], the Clostra Romana[1285], and Circeii[1286], formerly an island, and, if we are to believe Homer, surrounded by the open sea, though now by an extensive plain. 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 Rome with any degree of accuracy (for Theopompus, before whose time no Greek writer had made 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 that was sent by the Romans to Alexander)—Theophrastus, I say, following something more than mere rumour, has given the circuit of the island of Circeii as being eighty stadia, in the volume which he wrote during the archonship of Nicodorus at Athens[1287], 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.—Near Circeii are the Pomptine Marshes[1288], formerly the site, according to Mucianus, who was thrice consul, of four-and-twenty cities. Next to this comes the river Ufens[1289], upon which is the town of Terracina[1290], called, in the language of the Volsci, Anxur; the spot too where Amyclæ[1291] stood, a town destroyed by serpents. Next is the site of the Grotto[1292], Lake Fundanus[1293], the port of Caieta[1294], and then the town of Formiæ[1295], formerly called Hormiæ, the ancient seat of the Læstrygones[1296], it is supposed. Beyond this, formerly stood the town of Pyræ; and we then come to the colony of Minturnæ[1297], which still exists, and is divided[1298] by the river Liris, also called the Glanis. The town of Sinuessa[1299] 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 that blessed country Campania[1300], and in this vale 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 and Ceres are ever striving for the mastery. Hence the fields of Setia[1301] and of Cæcubum[1302] extend afar, and, next to them those of Falernum[1303] and of Calinum[1304]. As soon as we have passed these, the hills of Massica[1305], of Gaurus[1306], and of Surrentum rise to our view. Next, the level plains of Laborium[1307] are spread out far and wide, where every care is bestowed on cultivating crops of spelt, from which the most delicate fermenty is made. These shores are watered by warm springs[1308], while the seas are distinguished beyond all others for the superlative excellence of their shell and other fish. In no country too has the oil of the olive a more exquisite flavour. This territory, a battle-ground 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[1309], the town of Volturnum with a river[1310] of the same name, the town of Liternum[1311], Cumæ[1312], a Chalcidian colony, Misenum[1313], the port of Baiæ[1314], Bauli[1315], the Lucrine Lake[1316], and Lake Avernus, near which there stood formerly a town[1317] of the Cimmerians. We then come to Puteoli[1318], formerly called the colony of Dicæarchia, then the Phlegræan[1319] Plains, and the Marsh of Acherusia[1320] in the vicinity of Cumæ.

Again, on the coast we have Neapolis[1321], also a colony of the Chalcidians, and called Parthenope from the tomb there of one of the Sirens, Herculaneum[1322], Pompeii[1323], from which Mount Vesuvius may be seen at no great distance, and which is watered by the river Sarnus[1324]; the territory of Nuceria, and, at the distance of nine miles from the sea, the town of that name[1325], and then Surrentum[1326], with the Promontory of Minerva[1327], formerly the abode of the Sirens. The distance thence by sea to Circeii 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[1328], so called from its champaign country, Aquinum[1329], Suessa[1330], Venafrum[1331], Sora[1332], Teanum surnamed Sidicinum[1333], Nola[1334]; and the towns of Abelia[1335], Aricia[1336], Alba Longa[1337], the Acerrani[1338], the Allifani[1339], the Atinates[1340], the Aletrinates[1341], the Anagnini[1342], the Atellani[1343], the Affilani[1344], the Arpinates[1345], the Auximates[1346], the Abellani[1347], the Alfaterni (both those who take their names from the Latin, the Hernican and the Labicanian territory), Bovillæ[1348], Calatia[1349], Casinum[1350], Calenum[1351], Capitulum[1352] of the Hernici, the Cereatini[1353], surnamed Mariani, the Corani[1354], descended from the Trojan Dardanus, the Cubulterini, the Castrimœnienses[1355], the Cingulani[1356], the Fabienses[1357] on the Alban Mount, the Foropopulienses[1358] of the Falernian district, the Frusinates[1359], the Ferentinates[1360], the Freginates[1361], the old Frabaterni[1362], the new Frabaterni, the Ficolenses[1363], the Fregellani[1364], Forum Appî[1365], the Forentani[1366], the Gabini[1367], the Interamnates Succasini[1368], also surnamed Lirinates, the Ilionenses Lavinii[1369], the Norbani[1370], the Nomentani[1371], the Prænestini[1372] (whose city was formerly called Stephané), the Privernates[1373], the Setini[1374], the Signini[1375], the Suessulani[1376], the Telesini[1377], the Trebulani, surnamed Balinienses[1378], the Trebani[1379], the Tusculani[1380], the Verulani[1381], the Veliterni[1382], the Ulubrenses[1383], the Urbinates[1384], and, last and greater than all, Rome herself, whose other name[1385] 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 secresy with the strictest fidelity and in respectful and salutary silence, Valerius Soranus dared to divulge it, but soon did he pay the penalty[1386] 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 especial reference to the inculcation of silence on religious matters. The goddess Angerona[1387], to whom sacrifice is offered on the twelfth day before the calends of January [21st December], is represented in her statue as having her mouth bound with a sealed fillet.

Romulus left the city of Rome, if we are to believe those who state the very greatest number, having three[1388] gates and no more. When the Vespasians were emperors[1389] and censors, in the year from its building 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 cross-roads[1390] under the guardianship of the Lares. If a straight line is drawn from the mile-column[1391] placed at the entrance of the Forum, to each of the gates, which are at present thirty-seven in number (taking care to count only once the twelve double gates, and to omit the seven old ones, which no longer exist), the result will be [taking them altogether], a straight line of twenty miles and 765 paces[1392]. But if we draw a straight line from the same mile-column to the very last of the houses, including therein the Prætorian encampment, and follow throughout the line of all the streets, the result will then 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 be compared to it. On the eastern side it is bounded by the _agger_ of Tarquinius Superbus, a work of surpassing grandeur; for he raised it so high as to be on a level with the walls on the side on which the city lay most exposed to attack from the neighbouring plains. On all the other sides it has been fortified either with lofty walls or steep and precipitous hills[1393], but so it is, that its buildings, increasing and extending beyond all bounds, have now united many other cities to it[1394].

Besides those previously mentioned, there were formerly in the first region the following famous towns of Latium: Satricum[1395], Pometia[1396], Scaptia, Politorium[1397], Tellene, Tifata, Cænina[1398], Ficana[1399], Crustumerium, Ameriola[1400], Medullum[1401], Corniculum[1402], Saturnia[1403], on the site of the present city of Rome, Antipolis[1404], now Janiculum, forming part of Rome, Antemnæ[1405], Camerium[1406], Collatia[1407], Amitinum[1408], Norbe, Sulmo[1409], and, with these, those Alban nations[1410] who used to take part in the sacrifices[1411] upon the Alban Mount, the Albani, the Æsulani[1412], the Accienses, the Abolani, the Bubetani[1413], the Bolani[1414], the Cusuetani, the Coriolani[1415], the Fidenates[1416], the Foretii, the Hortenses[1417], the Latinienses, the Longulani[1418], the Manates, the Macrales, the Mutucumenses, the Munienses, the Numinienses, the Olliculani, the Octulani, the Pedani[1419], the Polluscini, the Querquetulani, the Sicani, the Sisolenses, the Tolerienses, the Tutienses, the Vimitellarii, the Velienses, the Venetulani, and the Vitellenses. Thus we see, fifty-three peoples of ancient Latium have passed away without leaving any traces of their existence.

In the Campanian territory there was also the town of Stabiæ[1420], until the consulship of Cneius Pompeius and L. Cato, when, on the day before the calends of May [30th of April], it was destroyed in the Social War by L. Sulla the legatus, and all that now stands on its site is a single farmhouse. Here also Taurania has ceased to exist, and the remains of Casilinum[1421] are fast going to ruin. Besides these, we learn from Antias that king L. Tarquinius took Apiolæ[1422], a town of the Latins, and with its spoils laid the first foundations of the Capitol. From Surrentum[1423] to the river Silarus[1424], the former territory of Picentia[1425] extends for a distance of thirty miles. This belonged to the Etruscans, and was remarkable for the temple of the Argive Juno, founded by Jason[1426]. In it was Picentia, a town[1427] of the territory of Salernum[1428].

CHAP. 10.—THE THIRD REGION OF ITALY.

At the Silarus begins the third region of Italy, consisting of the territory of Lucania and Bruttium; here too there have been no few changes of the population. These districts have been possessed by tbe Pelasgi, the Œnotrii, the Itali, the Morgetes, the Siculi, and more especially by people who emigrated from Greece[1429], and, last of all, by the Leucani, a people sprung from the Samnites, who took possession under the command of Lucius. We find here the town of Pæstum[1430], which received from the Greeks the name of Posidonia, the Gulf of Pæstum[1431], the town of Elea, now known as Velia[1432], and the Promontory of Palinurum[1433], a point at which the land falls inwards and forms a bay[1434], the distance across which to the pillar[1435] of Rhegium is 100 miles. Next after Palinurum comes the river Melpes[1436], then the town of Buxentum[1437], called in [Magna] Græcia Pyxus, and the river Laus; there was formerly a town[1438] also of the same name.

At this spot begins the coast of Bruttium, and we come to the town of Blanda[1439], the river Batum[1440], Parthenius, a port of the Phocians, the bay of Vibo[1441], the place[1442] where Clampetia formerly stood, the town of Temsa[1443], called Temese by the Greeks, and Terina founded by the people of Crotona[1444], with the extensive Gulf of Terina; more inland, the town of Consentia[1445]. Situate upon a peninsula[1446] is the river Acheron[1447], from which the people of Acherontia derive the name of their town; then Hippo, now called Vibo Valentia, the Port of Hercules[1448], the river Metaurus[1449], the town of Tauroentum[1450], the Port of Orestes, and Medma[1451]. Next, the town of Scyllæum[1452], the river Cratæis[1453], the mother of Scylla it is said; then the Pillar of Rhegium, the Straits of Sicily, and the two promontories which face each other, Cænys[1454] on the Italian, and Pelorus[1455] on the Sicilian side, the distance between them being twelve stadia. At a distance thence of twelve miles and a half, we come to Rhegium[1456], after which begins Sila[1457], a forest of the Apennines, and then the promontory of Leucopetra[1458], at a distance of fifteen miles; after which come the Locri[1459], who take their surname from the promontory of Zephyrium[1460], being distant from the river Silarus 303 miles.

At this spot ends the first[1461] 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 is, by the Greeks, called Porthmos, by us the Straits of Gades. After its entrance, as far as it washes the coasts of Spain, it is called the Hispanian Sea, though some give it the name of the Iberian or Balearic[1462] Sea. Where it faces the province of Gallia Narbonensis it has the name of the Gallic, and after that, of the Ligurian, Sea. From Liguria to the island of Sicily, it is called the Tuscan Sea, the same which is called by some of the Greeks the Notian[1463], by others the Tyrrhenian, 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 to Sicily, the Tyrrhenian; thence to Crete, the Sicilian; and beyond that island, the Cretan Sea.

CHAP. 11.—SIXTY-FOUR ISLANDS, AMONG WHICH ARE THE BALEARES.

The first islands that we meet with in all these seas are the two to which the Greeks have given the name of Pityussæ[1464], from the pine-tree[1465], which they produce. These islands now bear the name of Ebusus, and form a federate state. They are separated by a narrow strait[1466] of the sea, and are forty-six[1467] miles in extent. They are distant from Dianium[1468] 700 stadia, Dianium being by land the same distance[1469] from New Carthage. At the same distance[1470] from the Pityussæ, lie, in the open sea, the two Baleares, and, over against the river Sucro[1471], Colubraria[1472]. The Baleares[1473], so formidable in war with their slingers[1474], have received from the Greeks the name of Gymnasiæ.

The larger island is 100[1475] miles in length, and 475 in circumference. It has the following towns; Palma[1476] and Pollentia[1477], enjoying the rights of Roman citizens, Cinium[1478] and Tucis, with Latin rights: Bocchorum, a federate town, is no longer in existence. At thirty miles’ distance is the smaller island, 40 miles in length, and 150[1479] in circumference; it contains the states of Jamnon[1480], Sanisera, and Magon[1481].

In the open sea, at twelve miles’ distance from the larger island, is Capraria[1482] with its treacherous coast, so notorious for its numerous shipwrecks; and, opposite to the city of Palma, are the islands known as the Mænariæ[1483], Tiquadra[1484], and Little Hannibalis[1485].

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 Ophiusa[1486]. Ebusus too produces no[1487] rabbits to destroy the harvests of the Baleares. There are also about twenty other small islands in this sea, which is full of shoals. Off the coast of Gaul, at the mouth of the Rhodanus, there is Metina[1488], and near it the island which is known as Blascon[1489], with the three Stœchades, so called by their neighbours the Massilians[1490], on account of the regular order in which they are placed; their respective names are Prote[1491], Mese[1492], also called Pomponiana, and Hypæa[1493]. After these come Sturium[1494], Phœnice, Phila, Lero, and, opposite to Antipolis[1495], Lerina[1496], where there is a remembrance of a town called Vergoanum having once existed.

CHAP. 12. (6.)—CORSICA.

In the Ligurian Sea, but close to the Tuscan, is Corsica, by the Greeks called Cyrnos, extending, from north to south 150 miles, and for the most