The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 1 (of 6) by the Elder Pliny
455. Their kingdom was finally destroyed by Belisarius.
37114 words | Chapter 49
[2903] It is supposed that the Burgundiones were a Gothic people
dwelling in the country between the rivers Viadus and Vistula, though
Ammianus Marcellinus declares them to have been of pure Roman origin.
How they came into the country of the Upper Maine in the south-west
of Germany in A.D. 289, historians have found themselves at a loss
to inform us. It is not improbable that the two peoples were not
identical, and that the similarity of their name arose only from the
circumstance that they both resided in “burgi” or burghs. See Gibbon,
iii. 99. _Bohn’s Ed._
[2904] The Varini dwelt on the right bank of the Albis or Elbe, north
of the Langobardi. Ptolemy however, who seems to mention them as the
Avarini, speaks of them as dwelling near the sources of the Vistula, on
the site of the present Cracow. See Gibbon, iv. 225. _Bohn’s Ed._
[2905] Nothing whatever is known of the locality of this people.
[2906] They are also called in history Gothi, Gothones, Gotones and
Gutæ. According to Pytheas of Marseilles (as mentioned by Pliny, B.
xxxvii. c. 2), they dwelt on the coasts of the Baltic, in the vicinity
of what is now called the Fritsch-Haff. Tacitus also refers to the
same district, though he does not speak of them as inhabiting the
coast. Ptolemy again speaks of them as dwelling on the east of the
Vistula, and to the south of the Venedi. The later form of their name,
_Gothi_, does not occur till the time of Caracalla. Their native name
was Gutthinda. They are first spoken of as a powerful nation at the
beginning of the third century, when we find them mentioned as ‘Getæ,’
from the circumstance of their having occupied the countries formerly
inhabited by the Sarmatian Getæ. The formidable attacks made by this
people, divided into the nations of the Ostrogoths and Visigoths, upon
the Roman power during its decline, are too well known to every reader
of Gibbon to require further notice.
[2907] The inhabitants of Chersonesus Cimbrica, the modern peninsula
of Jutland. It seems doubtful whether these Cimbri were a Germanic
nation or a Celtic tribe, as also whether they were the same race
whose numerous hordes successively defeated six Roman armies, and were
finally conquered by C. Marius, B.C. 101, in the Campi Raudii. The more
general impression, however, entertained by historians, is that they
were a Celtic or Gallic and not a Germanic nation. The name is said to
have signified “robbers.” See Gibbon, i. 273, iii. 365. _Bohn’s Ed._
[2908] The Teutoni or Teutones dwelt on the coasts of the Baltic,
adjacent to the territory of the Cimbri. Their name, though belonging
originally to a single nation or tribe, came to be afterwards applied
collectively to the whole people of Germany. See Gibbon, iii. 139.
_Bohn’s Ed._
[2909] Also called Cauchi, Cauci, and Cayci, a German tribe to the east
of the Frisians, between the rivers Ems and Elbe. The modern Oldenburg
and Hanover are supposed to pretty nearly represent the country of the
Chauci. In B. xvi. c. 1. 2, will be found a further account of them by
Pliny, who had visited their country, at least that part of it which
lay on the sea-coast. They are mentioned for the last time in the third
century, when they had extended so far south and west that they are
spoken of as living on the banks of the Rhine.
[2910] Mentioned by Tacitus as dwelling in the east and south of
Germany.
[2911] It has been suggested by Titzius that the words “quorum Cimbri,”
“to whom the Cimbri belong,” are an interpolation; which is not
improbable, or at least that the word “Cimbri” has been substituted for
some other name.
[2912] This appears to be properly the collective name of a great
number of the German tribes, who were of a migratory mode of life, and
spoken of in opposition to the more settled tribes, who went under the
general name of Ingævones. Cæsar speaks of them as dwelling east of the
Ubii and Sygambri, and west of the Cherusci. Strabo makes them extend
in an easterly direction beyond the Albis or Elbe, and southerly as far
as the sources of the Danube. Tacitus gives the name of Suevia to the
whole of the east of Germany, from the Danube to the Baltic. The name
of the modern Suabia is derived from a body of adventurers from various
German tribes, who assumed the name of Suevi in consequence of their
not possessing any other appellation.
[2913] A large and powerful tribe of Germany, which occupied the
extensive tract of country between the mountains in the north-west of
Bohemia and the Roman Wall in the south-west, which formed the boundary
of the Agri Decumates. On the east they bordered on the Narisci, on
the north-east on the Cherusci, and on the north-west on the Chatti.
There is little doubt that they originally formed part of the Suevi.
At a later period they spread in a north-easterly direction, taking
possession of the north-western part of Bohemia and the country about
the sources of the Maine and Saale, that is, the part of Franconia as
far as Kissingen and the south-western part of the kingdom of Saxony.
The name Hermunduri is thought by some to signify highlanders, and to
be a compound of _Her_ or _Ar_, “high,” and _Mund_, “man.”
[2914] One of the great tribes of Germany, which rose to importance
after the decay of the power of the Cherusci. It is thought by
ethnographers that their name is still preserved in the word “Hessen.”
They formed the chief tribe of the Hermiones here mentioned, and
are described by Cæsar as belonging to the Suevi, though Tacitus
distinguishes them, and no German tribe in fact occupied more
permanently its original locality than the Chatti. Their original abode
seems to have extended from the Westerwald in the west to the Saale in
Franconia, and from the river Maine in the south as far as the sources
of the Elison and the Weser, so that they occupied exactly the modern
country of Hessen, including perhaps a portion of the north-west of
Bavaria. See Gibbon, vol. iii. 99. _Bohn’s Ed._
[2915] The Cherusci were the most celebrated of all the German tribes,
and are mentioned by Cæsar as of the same importance as the Suevi,
from whom they were separated by the Silva Bacensis. There is some
difficulty in stating their exact locality, but it is generally
supposed that their country extended from the Visurgis or Weser in the
west to the Albis or Elbe in the east, and from Melibocus in the north
to the neighbourhood of the Sudeti in the south, so that the Chamavi
and Langobardi were their northern neighbours, the Chatti the western,
the Hermunduri the southern, and the Silingi and Semnones their eastern
neighbours. This tribe, under their chief Arminius or Hermann, forming
a confederation with many smaller tribes in A.D. 9, completely defeated
the Romans in the famous battle of the Teutoburg Forest. In later times
they were conquered by the Chatti, so that Ptolemy speaks of them
only as a small tribe on the south of the Hartz mountain. Their name
afterwards appears, in the beginning of the fourth century, in the
confederation of the Franks.
[2916] The Peucini are mentioned here, as also by Tacitus, as identical
with the Basternæ. As already mentioned, supposing them to be names
for distinct nations, they must be taken as only names of individual
tribes, and not of groups of tribes. It is generally supposed that
their first settlements in Sarmatia were in the highlands between the
Theiss and the March, whence they passed onward to the lower Danube,
as far as its mouth, where a portion of them, settling in the island
of Peuce, obtained the name of Peucini. In the later geographers we
find them settled between the Tyrus or Dniester, and the Borysthenes or
Dnieper, the Peucini remaining at the mouth of the Danube.
[2917] According to Parisot, the Guttalus is the same as the Alle, a
tributary of the Pregel. Cluver thinks that it is the same as the Oder.
Other writers again consider it the same as the Pregel.
[2918] Or Elbe.
[2919] Now the Weser.
[2920] The modern Ems.
[2921] The Meuse.
[2922] The ‘Hercynia Silva,’ Hercynian Forest or Range, is very
differently described by the writers of various ages. The earliest
mention of it is by Aristotle. Judging from the accounts given by
Cæsar, Pomponius Mela, and Strabo, the ‘Hercynia Silva’ appears to
have been a general name for almost all the mountains of Southern
and Central Germany, that is, from the sources of the Danube to
Transylvania, comprising the Schwarzwald, Odenwald, Spessart,
Rhön, Thuringer Wald, the Hartz mountain (which seems in a great
measure to have retained the ancient name), Raube Alp, Steigerwald,
Fichtelgebirge, Erzgebirge, and Riesengebirge. At a later period when
the mountains of Germany had become better known, the name was applied
to the more limited range extending around Bohemia, and through Moravia
into Hungary.
[2923] This island appears to have been formed by the bifurcation of
the Rhine, the northern branch of which enters the sea at Katwyck, a
few miles north of Leyden, by the Waal and the course of the Maas,
after it has received the Waal, and by the sea. The Waal or Vahalis
seems to have undergone considerable changes, and the place of its
junction with the Maas may have varied. Pliny makes the island nearly
100 miles in length, which is about the distance from the fort of
Schenkenschanz, where the first separation of the Rhine takes place,
to the mouth of the Maas. The name of Batavia was no doubt the genuine
name, which is still preserved in Betuwe, the name of a district at
the bifurcation of the Rhine and the Waal. The Canninefates, a people
of the same race as the Batavi, also occupied the island, and as the
Batavi seem to have been in the eastern part, it is supposed that the
Canninefates occupied the western. They were subdued by Tiberius in the
reign of Augustus.
[2924] The Frisii or Frisones were one of the great tribes of
north-western Germany, properly belonging to the group of the
Ingævones. They inhabited the country about Lake Flevo and other lakes,
between the Rhine and the Ems, so as to be bounded on the south by the
Bructeri, and on the east by the Chauci. Tacitus distinguishes between
the Frisii Majores and Minores, and it is supposed that the latter
dwelt on the east of the canal of Drusus in the north of Holland,
and the former between the rivers Flevus and Amisia, that is, in the
country which still bears the name of Friesland. The Chauci have been
previously mentioned.
[2925] The Frisiabones or Frisævones are again mentioned in C. 31 of
the present Book as a people of Gaul. In what locality they dwelt has
not been ascertained by historians.
[2926] The Sturii are supposed to have inhabited the modern South
Holland, while the Marsacii probably inhabited the island which the
Meuse forms at its junction with the Rhine, at the modern Dortrecht in
Zealand.
[2927] Supposed to be the site of the modern fortress of Briel, situate
at the mouth of the Meuse.
[2928] Probably the same as the modern Vlieland (thus partly retaining
its ancient name), an island north of the Texel. The more ancient
writers speak of two main arms, into which the Rhine was divided on
entering the territory of the Batavi, of which the one on the east
continued to bear the name of Rhenus, while that on the west into which
the Masa, Maas or Meuse, flowed, was called Vahalis or Waal. After
Drusus, B.C. 12, had connected the Flevo Lacus or Zuyder-Zee with
the Rhine by means of a canal, in forming which he probably made use
of the bed of the Yssel, we find mention made of three mouths of the
Rhine. Of these the names, as given by Pliny, are, on the west, Helium
(the Vahalis of other writers), in the centre Rhenus, and at the north
Flevum; but at a later period we again find mention made of only two
mouths.
[2929] Britain was spoken of by some of the Greek writers as superior
to all other islands in the world. Dionysius, in his Periegesis, says,
“that no other islands whatsoever can claim equality with those of
Britain.”
[2930] Said to have been so called from the whiteness of its cliffs
opposite the coast of Gaul.
[2931] Afterwards called Bononia, the modern Boulogne. As D’Anville
remarks, the distance here given by Pliny is far too great, whether
we measure to Dover or to Hythe; our author’s measurement however is
probably made to Rutupiæ (the modern Richborough), near Sandwich, where
the Romans had a fortified post, which was their landing-place when
crossing over from Gaul. This would make the distance given by Pliny
nearer the truth, though still too much.
[2932] Probably the Grampian range is here referred to.
[2933] The people of South Wales.
[2934] The Orkney islands were included under this name. Pomponius Mela
and Ptolemy make them but thirty in number, while Solinus fixes their
number at three only.
[2935] Also called Æmodæ or Hæmodæ, most probably the islands now known
as the Shetlands. Camden however and the older antiquarians refer the
Hæmodæ to the Baltic sea, considering them different from the Acmodæ
here mentioned, while Salmasius on the other hand considers the Acmodæ
or Hæmodæ and the Hebrides as identical. Parisot remarks that off the
West Cape of the Isle of Skye and the Isle of North Uist, the nearest
of the Hebrides to the Shetland islands, there is a vast gulf filled
with islands, which still bears the name of Mamaddy or Maddy, from
which the Greeks may have easily derived the words Αἱ Μαδδαὶ, whence
the Latin Hæmodæ.
[2936] The Isle of Anglesea.
[2937] Most probably the Isle of Man.
[2938] Camden and Gosselin (_Rech. sur la Géogr. des Anciens_) consider
that under this name is meant the island of Racklin, situate near the
north-eastern extremity of Ireland. A Ricina is spoken of by Ptolemy,
but that island is one of the Hebrides.
[2939] This Vectis is considered by Gosselin to be the same as the
small island of White-Horn, situate at the entrance of the Bay of
Wigtown in Scotland. It must not be confounded with the more southern
Vectis, or Isle of Wight.
[2940] According to Gosselin this is the island of Dalkey, at the
entrance of Dublin Bay.
[2941] Camden thinks that this is the same as Bardsey Island, at the
south of the island of Anglesea, while Mannert and Gosselin think that
it is the island of Lambay.
[2942] According to Brotier these islands belong to the coast of
Britanny, being the modern isles of Sian and Ushant.
[2943] As already mentioned, he probably speaks of the islands of Œland
and Gothland, and Ameland, called Austeravia or Actania, in which
_glæsum_ or amber was found by the Roman soldiers. See p. 344.
[2944] The opinions as to the identity of ancient Thule have been
numerous in the extreme. We may here mention six:—1. The common,
and apparently the best founded opinion, that Thule is the island
of Iceland. 2. That it is either the Ferroe group, or one of those
islands. 3. The notion of Ortelius, Farnaby, and Schœnning, that it is
identical with Thylemark in Norway. 4. The opinion of Malte Brun, that
the continental portion of Denmark is meant thereby, a part of which
is to the present day called Thy or Thyland. 5. The opinion of Rudbeck
and of Calstron, borrowed originally from Procopius, that this is a
general name for the whole of Scandinavia. 6. That of Gosselin, who
thinks that under this name Mainland, the principal of the Shetland
Islands, is meant. It is by no means impossible that under the name of
Thule two or more of these localities may have been meant, by different
authors writing at distant periods and under different states of
geographical knowledge. It is also pretty generally acknowledged, as
Parisot remarks, that the Thule mentioned by Ptolemy is identical with
Thylemark in Norway.
[2945] B. ii. c. 77.
[2946] Brotier thinks that under this name a part of Cornwall is meant,
and that it was erroneously supposed to be an island. Parisot is of
opinion that the copyists, or more probably Pliny himself, has made an
error in transcribing Mictis for Vectis, the name of the Isle of Wight.
It is not improbable however that the island of Mictis had only an
imaginary existence.
[2947] “White lead”: not, however, the metallic substance which we
understand by that name, but tin.
[2948] Commonly known as “coracles,” and used by the Welch in modern
times. See B. vii. c. 57 of this work, and the Note.
[2949] Brotier, with many other writers, takes these names to refer to
various parts of the coast of Norway. Scandia he considers to be the
same as Scania, Bergos the modern Bergen, and Nerigos the northern part
of Norway. On the other hand, Gosselin is of opinion that under the
name of Bergos the Scottish island of Barra is meant, and under that
of Nerigos, the island of Lewis, the northern promontory of which is
in the old maps designated by the name of Nary or Nery. Ptolemy makes
mention of an island called Doumna in the vicinity of the Orcades.
[2950] Transalpine Gaul, with the exception of that part of it called
Narbonensis, was called Gallia Comata, from the custom of the people
allowing their hair to grow to a great length.
[2951] From the Scheldt to the Seine.
[2952] From the Seine to the Garonne.
[2953] Lyonese Gaul, from Lugdunum, the ancient name of the city of
Lyons.
[2954] Said by Camden to be derived from the Celtic words _Ar - mor_,
“by the Sea.”
[2955] The provinces of Antwerp and North Brabant.
[2956] Inhabiting Western Flanders.
[2957] So called, it is supposed, from the Celtic word _Mor_, which
means “the sea.” Térouane and Boulogne are supposed to occupy the site
of their towns, situate in the modern Pas de Calais.
[2958] D’Anville places them between Calais and Gravellines, in the Pas
de Calais, and on the spot now known as the Terre de Marck or Merk.
[2959] Boulogne, previously mentioned.
[2960] Cluver thinks that “Brianni” would be the correct reading here;
but D’Anville places the Britanni on the southern bank of the stream
called La Canche in the Pas de Calais.
[2961] According to Parisot and Ansart they occupied the department of
the Somme, with places on the site of Amiens (derived from their name)
and Abbeville for their chief towns.
[2962] They dwelt in the modern department of the Oise, with Beauvais
(which still retains their name) for their chief town.
[2963] D’Anville is of opinion that the place called Haiz or Hez in
the diocese of Beauvais, received its name from this people, of whom
nothing else is known. The name is omitted in several of the editions.
[2964] D’Anville is of opinion that their chief town was situate at the
modern Chaours, at the passage of the river Serre, not far from Vervins
in the department of the Aisne.
[2965] According to Ptolemy their chief town would be on the site of
the modern Orchies in the department du Nord, but Cæsar makes it to be
Nemetacum, the modern Arras, the capital of the department of the Pas
de Calais.
[2966] According to Ansart their chief town was Bavai, in the
department du Nord. They are called “Liberi,” or free, because they
were left at liberty to enjoy their own laws and institutions.
[2967] Their capital was Augusta Veromanduorum, and it has been
suggested that the place called Vermand, in the department de l’Aisne,
denotes its site; but according to Bellay and D’Anville the city of St.
Quentin, which was formerly called Aouste, marks the spot.
[2968] Nothing whatever is known of them, and it is suggested by
the commentators that this is a corrupted form of the name of the
Suessiones, which follows.
[2969] They gave name to Soissons in the southern part of the
department de l’Aisne.
[2970] It has been suggested that these are the same as the
Silvanectes, the inhabitants of Senlis in the department de l’Oise.
[2971] The people of Tongres, in the provinces of Namur, Liège, and
Limbourg.
[2972] They are supposed to have dwelt in the eastern part of the
province of Limbourg.
[2973] They probably dwelt between the Sunuci and the Betasi.
[2974] They are supposed to have dwelt in the western part of the
province of Limbourg, on the confines of that province and South
Brabant, in the vicinity probably of the place which still bears the
name of Beetz, upon the river Gette, between Leau and Haclen, seven
miles to the east of Louvain.
[2975] According to Ptolemy the Leuci dwelt on the sites of Toul in the
department of the Meurthe, and of Nais or Nays in that of the Meuse.
[2976] From them Trèves or Trier, in the Grand Duchy of the Lower
Rhine, takes its name.
[2977] Their chief town was on the site of Langres, in the department
of the Haute Marne.
[2978] They gave name to the city of Rheims in the department of the
Marne.
[2979] Their chief town stood on the site of the modern Metz, in the
department of the Moselle.
[2980] Besançon stands on the site of their chief town, in the
department of the Doubs, extending as far as Bâle.
[2981] The inhabitants of the district called the Haut Rhin or Higher
Rhine.
[2982] The inhabitants of the west of Switzerland.
[2983] Or the “Equestrian Colony,” probably founded by the Roman
Equites. It is not known where this colony was situate, but it is
suggested by Cluver and Monetus that it may have been on the lake of
Geneva, in the vicinity of the modern town of Nyon.
[2984] Littré, in a note, remarks that Rauriaca is a barbarism, and
that the reading properly is “Raurica.”
[2985] Spire was their chief city, in the province of the Rhine.
[2986] They are supposed to have occupied Strasbourg, and the greater
part of the department of the Lower Rhine.
[2987] They dwelt in the modern Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt; Worms
was their chief city.
[2988] That is, nearer the mouths of the Rhine.
[2989] They originally dwelt on the right bank of the Rhine, but were
transported across the river by Agrippa in B.C. 37, at their own
request, from a wish to escape the attacks of the Suevi.
[2990] Now known as the city of Cologne. It took its name from
Agrippina, the wife of Claudius and the mother of Nero, who was born
there, and who, as Tacitus says, to show off her power to the allied
nations, planted a colony of veteran soldiers in her native city, and
gave to it her own name.
[2991] Their district was in the modern circle of Clèves, in the
province of Juliers-Berg-Clèves.
[2992] Dwelling in the Insula Batavorum, mentioned in C. 29 of the
present Book.
[2993] He first speaks of the nations on the coast, and then of those
more in the interior.
[2994] Dwelling in the west of the department of Calvados, and the east
of the department of the Eure. From them Lisieux takes its name.
[2995] They occupied the department of the Lower Seine.
[2996] They are supposed to have dwelt in the vicinity of Lillebonne,
in the department of the Lower Seine.
[2997] They gave name to the town of Vannes in the department of
Morbihan.
[2998] From them the city of Avranches, in the department of La Manche,
derives its name.
[2999] They occupied the modern department of Finisterre.
[3000] The Loire.
[3001] This spot is placed by D’Anville near the modern city of Saint
Brieuc. He refers here to the peninsula of Brittany, which ends in
Finisterre.
[3002] Ansart remarks that the circuit of the peninsula from Saint
Brieuc to the mouth of the river Vilaine is only 450 miles, but that if
taken from the city of Avranches to the mouth of the Loire, it is 650.
[3003] Ansart states that from Avranches to the mouth of the Loire, in
a straight line, is twenty miles less than the distance here given by
Pliny.
[3004] Inhabitants of the department of the Lower Loire or Loire
Inférieure.
[3005] This extensive people inhabited the present departments of the
Saone et Loire, Allier, Nievre, Rhone nord, and Loire nord. Autun and
Chalons-sur-Marne stand on the site of their ancient towns.
[3006] They inhabited the departments of the Eure et Loire, and
portions of those of the Seine et Oise, of the Loire et Cher, and of the
Loiret. Chartres occupies the site of their town.
[3007] They occupied a part of the department of the Allier. Moulins
stands on the site of their chief town.
[3008] Sens, in the department of the Yonne, stands on the site of
their chief town.
[3009] The chief town of the Aulerci Eburovices was on the site of the
present Passy-sur-Eure, called by the inhabitants Old Evreux, in the
department of the Eure.
[3010] They dwelt in the vicinity of the city of Le Mans, in the
department of the Sarthe.
[3011] Meaux, in the department of the Seine et Marne, denotes the site
of their principal town.
[3012] Paris, anciently Lutetia, denotes their locality.
[3013] The city of Troyes, in the department of the Aube, denotes their
locality.
[3014] Their chief town stood on the site of Angers, in the department
of the Maine et Loire.
[3015] D’Anville says that their chief town stood on the spot now known
as Vieux, two leagues from Caen, in the department of Calvados.
[3016] The reading here is not improbably “Vadicasses.” If so, they
were a people situate at a great distance from the other tribes here
mentioned by Pliny. They dwelt in the department De l’Oise, in the
district formerly known as Valois, their chief town or city occupying
the site of Vez, not far from Villers Cotterets.
[3017] D’Anville assigns to the Venelli, or Unelli, as some readings
have it, the former district of Cotantin, now called the department of
La Manche.
[3018] According to D’Anville, Corseuil, two leagues from Dinan, in the
department of the Côtes du Nord, denotes the site of their chief town.
Hardouin takes Quimper to mark the locality.
[3019] They are supposed by Ansart to have occupied that part of the
department of La Mayenne where we find the village of Jublains, two
leagues from the city of Mayenne.
[3020] D’Anville assigns to them the greater part of the department of
the Ile et Vilaine, and is of opinion that the city of Rennes occupies
the site of Condate, their chief town.
[3021] Tours, in the department of the Indre et Loire, marks the site
of their chief town.
[3022] They are supposed to have occupied a portion of the department
of the Loire.
[3023] They probably occupied a part of the department of the Loire, as
also of that of the Rhone. Their town, Forum Secusianorum, stood on the
site of the present Feurs, in the department of the Loire.
[3024] The city of Lyons occupies the site of ancient Lugdunum. It
is suggested by Hardouin, that the name Lugdunum is a corruption of
“Lucudunum,” a compound of the Latin word _lucus_, “a grove,” and the
Celtic _dun_, “a hill” or “mountain.”
[3025] They are mentioned by Cæsar (B. C. iii. 9), in conjunction with
the Nannetes, Morini, and others, but nothing can be inferred as to the
precise position they occupied.
[3026] Their locality also is unknown, but it is supposed that they
dwelt in the vicinity of the department of La Vendée.
[3027] From them ancient Poitou received its name. They are supposed to
have occupied the department of the Haute-Vienne, and portions of the
departments of La Vendée, the Loire Inférieure, the Maine et Loire, the
Deux-Sèvres, and La Vienne.
[3028] They gave name to the former Saintonge, now the department of
Charente and Charente Inférieure. The town of Saintes occupies the site
of their chief town.
[3029] They occupied the modern department of the Gironde. The city of
Bordeaux occupies the site of their chief town.
[3030] They gave name to Aquitaine, which became corrupted into
Guyenne. Pliny is the only author that makes the Aquitani a distinct
people of the province of Aquitanica. The Tarusates are supposed to
have afterwards occupied the site here referred to by him, with Atures
for their chief town, afterwards called Aire, in the department of the
Landes.
[3031] Their locality is unknown, but it has been suggested that they
occupied the departments of the Basses Pyrénées, or Lower Pyrenees.
[3032] So called from the Latin verb _convenire_, “to assemble” or
“meet together.” They are said to have received this name from the
circumstance that Ptolemy, after the close of the Sertorian war,
finding a pastoral people of predatory habits inhabiting the range
of the Pyrenees, ordered them to unite together and form a community
in a town or city. From them the present town of Saint Bertrand de
Comminges, in the S.W. of the department of the Haute Garonne, derives
its Latin name “Lugdunum Convenarum.”
[3033] By Cæsar called the Bigerriones. Their name was preserved
in that of the district of Bigorre, now the department of the
Hautes-Pyrénées. Their chief town was Turba, now Tarbes.
[3034] By calling the Tarbelli _Quatuorsignani_, he seems to imply that
their chief town was a place garrisoned by four maniples of soldiers,
each with a _signum_ or standard. Aquæ Tarbellicæ was their chief town,
the modern Acqs or Dax, in the S.W. of the department of the Landes.
[3035] Their chief town was probably garrisoned by six _signa_ or
maniples. Cocosa, or Coequosa, as it is written in the Antonine
Itinerary, is the first place on a road from Aquæ Tarbellicæ or Dax to
Burdegala or Bordeaux, now called Marensin. Their locality was in the
southern part of the department of the Landes, the inhabitants of which
are still divided into two classes, the Bouges, those of the north, or
of the Tête de Buch; and the Cousiots, those of the south.
[3036] Their locality is unknown.
[3037] D’Anville would read “Onobusates,” and thinks that they dwelt in
the district called Nébousan, in the department of the Hautes Pyrénées.
He is also of opinion that their town stood on the site of the modern
Cioutat, between the rivers Adour and Neste.
[3038] They occupied the southern part of the department of the Gironde.
[3039] From them Hardouin suggests that Moneins, in the department of
the Basses Pyrénées, takes its name.
[3040] D’Anville is of opinion that they inhabited and gave name to
the Vallée d’Ossun, between the Pyrenees and the city of Oléron in the
department of the Basses Pyrénées.
[3041] D’Anville places them in the Vallée de Soule, in the department
of the Basses Pyrénées.
[3042] From them Campon, a place in the department of the Hautes
Pyrénées, is supposed to have received its name.
[3043] Biscarosse, not far from Tête de Buch in the department of the
Landes, is supposed to derive its name from this tribe.
[3044] Nothing whatever is known of them.
[3045] The more general reading is “Sassumini.” Ansart suggests that
the town of Sarrum, between Cognac and Périgueux, in the department of
the Dordogne, may have received its name from them.
[3046] Ansart suggests that Rieumes, in the department of the Haute
Garonne, occupies the site of Ryesium, their chief town, mentioned by
Ptolemy.
[3047] They are supposed to have given name to Tournay, in the
department of the Hautes Pyrénées.
[3048] Supposed to be the same as the Consuarini, mentioned in B. iii.
c. 5.
[3049] They probably gave name to Auch, in the department of Gers.
[3050] Their chief town occupied the site of Euse or Eause, in the
department of Gers.
[3051] Their locality is marked by Soz, in the department of the
Lot-et-Garonne.
[3052] Or “Oscidates of the Plains.” They probably gave name to Ossun,
two miles from Tarbes, in the department of the Hautes Pyrénées.
[3053] From them the village of Cestas, three leagues from Bordeaux, in
the department of the Gironde, is supposed to derive its name.
[3054] The village of Tursan, in the department of the Landes, probably
derived its name from this tribe.
[3055] Their town was Cossio, afterwards Vasates, now Bazas, in the
department of the Gironde.
[3056] The site of the Vassei and the Sennates appears to be unknown.
[3057] D’Anville is of opinion that this tribe gave name to Aisenay
or Azenay, a village four leagues distant from Bourbon-Vendée, in the
department of La Vendée.
[3058] They occupied the district formerly known as Berry, but now the
departments of the Indre, the Cher, and the west of the department of
the Allier. Their chief town was Avaricum, now Bourges.
[3059] They inhabited the district formerly known as the Limosin, now
the departments of the Creuse, the Haute Vienne, and the Corrèze. Their
chief town was Augustoritum, afterwards Lemovices, now Limoges.
[3060] They occupied the district formerly known as Auvergne, forming
the present department of the Allier, and the southern part of the
Puy de Dôme and the Cantal. Augustonemetum was their chief town, now
Clermont.
[3061] Situate in the district formerly known as Gevaudan, now the
department of La Lozère. Their chief town stood on the site of the
present small town of Javoulx, four leagues from Mende.
[3062] They are supposed to have occupied the former district of
Rouergue, now known as the department of Aveyron. Their chief town was
Segodunum, afterwards Ruteni, now known as Rhodez.
[3063] They occupied the former district of Querci, the present
department of Lot and Lot-et-Garonne. Divona, afterwards Cadurci, now
Cahors, was their principal town.
[3064] According to Ptolemy their town was Aginnum, probably the modern
Agen, in the present department of Lot-et-Garonne. “Antobroges,”
however, is the more common reading.
[3065] They occupied the district formerly known as Périgord, in
the department of the Dordogne; their town was Vesanna, afterwards
Petrocori, now Périgueux.
[3066] Ansart says they are about 200 in number, consisting of Belle
Isle, Groaix, Houat, Hoedic, and others. Also probably Morbihan.
[3067] The Isle of Oleron, the fountain-head of the maritime laws of
Europe.
[3068] He means to say that it gradually increases in breadth after
leaving the narrow neck of the Pyrenees and approaching the confines of
Lusitania.
[3069] B. iii. c. 3.
[3070] From Ruscino to Gades.
[3071] In the province now known as Guipuzcoa.
[3072] Supposed to be the present Cabo de la Higuera.
[3073] Probably inhabiting the eastern part of the provinces of Biscay
and Alava, the eastern portion of Navarre, and, perhaps, a part of the
province of Guipuzcoa.
[3074] According to Hardouin the modern San Sebastian occupies the site
of their town.
[3075] On the same site as the modern Bermeo, according to Mannert.
Hardouin thinks, however, and with greater probability, that it was
situate at the mouth of the river Orio.
[3076] D’Anville considers this to be the site of the city of Bermeo.
[3077] Poinsinet thinks that this is Flavio in Bilbao, D’Anville calls
it Portugalette, and Mannert thinks that it is the same as Santander,
with which opinion Ansart agrees.
[3078] According to Ptolemy, the Cantabri possessed the western part of
the province of La Montana, and the northern parts of the provinces of
Palencia and Toro.
[3079] Most probably the present Rio de Suancès, by Mannert called
the Saya, into which the Besanga flows. Hardouin however calls it the
Nervio.
[3080] Ansart suggests that this is the modern San Vicente de la
Barquera. If the river Sauga is the same with the Suancès, this cannot
be the port of Santander, as has been suggested.
[3081] Or Ebro.
[3082] According to Ansart, this is either the modern Ensenada de
Ballota or else the Puerta de Pô.
[3083] According to Ansart, the Orgenomesci occupied the same territory
which Ptolemy has assigned to the Cantabri in general. See Note [3078]
above.
[3084] Hardouin takes this to be Villaviciosa. Ansart thinks that Ria
de Cella occupies its site.
[3085] They are supposed to have occupied the greater part of the
principality of the Asturias and the province of Leon.
[3086] Hardouin and Mannert consider this to be identical with Navia
or Nava, six miles to the east of Oviedo, an obscure place in the
interior. Ansart however would identify it with Villaviciosa.
[3087] No doubt the headland now known as the Cabo de Penas.
[3088] Now Lugo in Gallicia.
[3089] Supposed by Ansart to be the Rio Caneiro, into which the Rio
Labio discharges itself.
[3090] Supposed by Ansart to have dwelt in the vicinity of the Celtic
promontory, now Cabo de Finisterra or Cape Finisterre. Of the Egovarri
and Iadoni nothing whatever is known.
[3091] Their towns are mentioned by Ptolemy as being situate on a bay
near Nerium or the promontory of Cape Finisterre.
[3092] Mannert thinks that the Nelo is the same as the Rio Allones; the
Florius seems not to have been identified.
[3093] The inhabitants of Cape Finisterre.
[3094] Dwelling on the banks of the river which from them takes its
modern name of Tambre.
[3095] Mannert and Ansart are of opinion that this peninsula was
probably the modern Cabo Taurinan or Cabo Villano, most probably the
latter.
[3096] On the occasion probably of his expedition against the Cantabri.
[3097] Their towns, Iria Flavia and Lacus Augusti, lay in the interior,
on the sites of the present Santiago de Compostella and Lugo.
[3098] Probably the modern Noya.
[3099] They are supposed to have occupied the district in which the
warm springs are found, which are known as Caldas de Contis and Caldas
de Rey.
[3100] It is suggested by Ansart that the islands here meant are those
called Carreira, at the mouth of the river Ulla, and the Islas de Ons,
at the mouth of the Tenario.
[3101] See B. iii. c. 4.
[3102] Inhabiting the vicinity of the modern Pontevedra.
[3103] According to Ptolemy also their town was Tudæ, the modern Tuy.
[3104] The modern Islas de Seyas or of Bayona.
[3105] The town of Bayona, about six leagues from the mouth of the
river Minho.
[3106] The Minho.
[3107] They occupied the tract of country lying between the rivers, and
known as Entre Douro y Minho.
[3108] Now Braga on the Cavado.
[3109] The Lima.
[3110] The river Douro.
[3111] See B. iii. c. 3.
[3112] Both lead, properly so called, and tin.
[3113] In a great degree corresponding with modern Portugal, except
that the latter includes the tract of country between the Minho and
Douro.
[3114] To distinguish them from the nation of the same name sprung
from them, and occupying the Farther Spain. (B. iii. c. 3.) The Pæsuri
occupied the site of the present towns of Lamego and Arouca.
[3115] The modern Vouga, which runs below the town of Aveiro, raised
from the ruins of ancient Talabrica.
[3116] Agueda, which, according to Hardouin, is the name of both the
river and the town.
[3117] Coimbra, formerly Condeja la Veja.
[3118] Leiria is supposed to occupy its site.
[3119] According to Hardouin, the modern Ebora de Alcobaza, ten leagues
from Leiria.
[3120] The modern Cabo de la Roca, seven leagues from Lisbon.
[3121] Pliny, in C. 34, places the Arrotrebæ, belonging to the
Conventus of Lucus Augusti, about the Promontorium Celticum, which,
if not the same as the Nerium (or Cape Finisterre) of the others, is
evidently in its immediate neighbourhood; but he confuses the whole
matter by a very curious error. He mentions a promontory called
Artabrum as the headland _at the N.W. extremity of Spain_; the coast
on the one side of it looking to the north and the Gallic Ocean, on
the other to the west and the Atlantic Ocean. But he considers this
promontory to be the west _headland of the estuary of the Tagus_,
and adds, that some called it _Magnum Promontorium_, or the “Great
Promontory,” and others Olisiponense, from the city of Olisipo, or
Lisbon. He assigns, in fact, all the west coast of Spain, down to the
mouth of the Tagus, to the north coast, and, instead of being led
to detect his error by the resemblance of name between his Artabrum
Promontorium and his Arrotrebæ (the Artabri of his predecessors, Strabo
and Mela), he perversely finds fault with those who had placed above
the promontory Artabrum, a people of the same name who never were there.
[3122] On the site of which the present city of Lisbon stands.
[3123] See note [3121] in the preceding page.
[3124] See note [3121].
[3125] See note [3116] in the preceding page.
[3126] Among these is Pomponius Mela, who confounds the river Limia,
mentioned in the last chapter, with the Æminius, or Agueda.
[3127] Now the river Mondego.
[3128] See B. xxxiii. c. 21.
[3129] Now Cape St. Vincent.
[3130] Pliny continues his error here, in taking part of the western
side of Spain for the north, and part of the southern coast for the
western.
[3131] B. iii. c. 2.
[3132] With the Vettones, situate in the province of the Alentejo. See
B. iii. c. 3.
[3133] In the present province of Algarve.
[3134] Now Lisbon. Both Strabo, Solinus, and Martianus Capella make
mention of a story that Ulysses came to Spain and founded this city.
[3135] See B. viii. c. 67 of the present work.
[3136] According to Hardouin, followed by D’Anville and Uckert, this
place gives name to Alcazar do Sal, nearly midway between Evora and the
sea-shore. Mannert says Setuval, which D’Anville however supposes to be
the ancient Cetobriga.
[3137] On its site stands Santiago de Cacem, nearly midway between
Lisbon and Cape St. Vincent.
[3138] Or the “Wedge,” generally supposed to be Cabo de Santa Maria.
Ansart however thinks that it is the Punta de Sagres, near Cape St.
Vincent. Pliny’s words indeed seem to imply a closer proximity than
that of Capes St. Vincent and Santa Maria.
[3139] According to Hardouin, the modern Estombar; according to
D’Anville, in the vicinity of Faro; but ten leagues from that place,
according to Mannert.
[3140] Hardouin and D’Anville are of opinion that Tavira occupies its
site.
[3141] Now Mertola, on the river Guadiana.
[3142] Now Merida, on the Guadiana. A colony of veterans (Emeriti) was
planted there by Augustus.
[3143] Now Medellin, in the province of Estremadura.
[3144] Pax Julia, or Pax Augusta, in the country of the Turduli, or
Turdetani; now Beja, in the province of the Alentejo.
[3145] Now Alcantara, in the province of Estremadura.
[3146] Now Truxillo, so called from Turris Julia.
[3147] Now Caceres.
[3148] Now called Santarem, from Saint Irene, the Virgin.
[3149] “The Garrison of Julius.”
[3150] “The Success of Julius.”
[3151] Evora, between the Guadiana and the Tagus.
[3152] “The Liberality of Julius.”
[3153] B. iii. c. 3.
[3154] Hardouin takes Augustobriga to have stood on the site of Villar
del Pedroso on the Tagus. Other writers think that it is represented by
the present Ponte del Arcobispo.
[3155] From Ammia, now Portalegre, on the frontier of Portugal. The
sites of Arabrica and Balsa do not appear to have been ascertained.
[3156] Capera stood on the site now called Las Ventas de Capara,
between Alcantara and Coria. The site of Cæsarobrica has not been
ascertained.
[3157] Coria, in Estremadura, probably occupies the site of Caura.
[3158] Hardouin suggests that the modern Tomar occupies the site of
Concordia.
[3159] Mannert is of opinion that the city of Lancia was situate in
the north of Lusitania, on the river Durius, or Douro, near the modern
Zamora.
[3160] To distinguish them from the Mirobrigenses, surnamed Turduli,
mentioned in B. iii. c. 3. Some writers think that this Mirobriga is
the present Ciudad Rodrigo; but Ambrose Morales takes it to be the
place called Malabriga, in the vicinity of that city.
[3161] The name of Medubriga was afterwards Aramenha, of which Hardouin
says the ruins only were to be seen. They were probably called
_Plumbarii_, from lead mines in their vicinity.
[3162] According to Hardouin, Ocelum was in the vicinity of the modern
Capara.
[3163] From Cape de Creuz to the Promontory between the cities of
Fontarabia and Saint Sebastian.
[3164] From the Greek κασσίτερος, “tin.” It is generally supposed that
the “Tin Islands” were the Scilly Isles, in the vicinity of Cornwall.
At the same time the Greek and Roman geographers, borrowing their
knowledge from the accounts probably of the Phœnician merchants, seem
to have had a very indistinct notion of their precise locality, and to
have thought them to be nearer to Spain than to Britain. Thus we find
Strabo, in B. iii., saying, that “the Cassiterides are ten in number,
lying near each other in the ocean, towards the north _from the haven
of the Artabri_.” From a comparison of the accounts, it would almost
appear that the ancient geographers confused the Scilly Islands with
the Azores, as those, who enter into any detail, attribute to the
Cassiterides the characteristics almost as much of the Azores and the
sea in their vicinity, as of the Scilly Islands.
[3165] Cape Finisterre.
[3166] Or the “Islands of the Blest.” We cannot do better than quote a
portion of the article on this subject in Dr. Smith’s “Dictionary of
Ancient Geography.” “‘Fortunatæ Insulæ’ is one of those geographical
names whose origin is lost in mythic darkness, but which afterwards
came to have a specific application, so closely resembling the old
mythical notion, as to make it almost impossible to doubt that that
notion was based, in part at least, on some vague knowledge of the
regions afterwards discovered. The earliest Greek poetry places the
abode of the happy departed spirits far beyond the entrance of the
Mediterranean, at the extremity of the earth, and upon the shores of
the river Oceanus, or in islands in its midst; and Homer’s poetical
description of the place may be applied almost word for word to those
islands in the Atlantic, off the west coast of Africa, to which the
name was given in the historical period. (Od. iv. l. 563, _seq._)
‘There the life of mortals is most easy; there is no snow, nor winter,
nor much rain, but Ocean is ever sending up the shrill breathing
breezes of Zephyrus to refresh men.’ Their delicious climate, and their
supposed identity of situation, marked out the Canary Islands, the
Madeira group, and the Azores, as worthy to represent the Islands of
the Blest. In the more specific sense, however, the name was applied
to the two former groups; while, in its widest application, it may
have even included the Cape de Verde Islands, its extension being in
fact adapted to that of maritime discovery.” Pliny gives a further
description of them in B. vi. c. 37.
[3167] The strait between the island and the mainland is now called the
River of Saint Peter. The circuit of the island, as stated by Pliny,
varies in the MSS. from fifteen to twenty-five miles, and this last is
probably correct.
[3168] Julius Cæsar, on his visit to the city of Gades, during the
Civil War in Spain, B.C. 49, conferred the citizenship of Rome on all
the citizens of Gades. Under Augustus it became a _municipium_, with
the title of ‘Augusta urbs Julia Gaditana.’ The modern city of Cadiz is
built upon its site.
[3169] Or the Island of Venus.
[3170] From the Greek word κότινος, “an olive-tree.”
[3171] If Gades was not the same as Tartessus (probably the Tarshish of
Scripture), its exact locality is a question in dispute. Most ancient
writers place it at the mouth of the river Bætis, while others identify
it, and perhaps with more probability, with the city of Carteia, on
Mount Calpe, the Rock of Gibraltar. The whole country west of Gibraltar
was called Tartessis. See B. iii. c. 3.
[3172] Or more properly ‘Agadir,’ or ‘Hagadir.’ It probably received
this name, meaning a ‘hedge,’ or ‘bulwark,’ from the fact of its being
the chief Phœnician colony outside of the Pillars of Hercules.
[3173] Of Erythræa, or Erytheia. The monster Geryon, or Geryones,
fabled to have had three bodies, lived in the fabulous Island of
Erytheia, or the “Red Isle,” so called because it lay under the rays of
the setting sun in the west. It was originally said to be situate off
the coast of Epirus, but was afterwards identified either with Gades
or the Balearic islands, and was at all times believed to be in the
distant west. Geryon was said to have been the son of Chrysaor, the
wealthy king of Iberia.
[3174] Alluding to B. iii. c. 6. From Rhegium to the Alps. But _there_
the reading is 1020.
[3175] Meaning Gessoriacum, the present Boulogne. He probably calls it
_Britannicum_, from the circumstance that the Romans usually embarked
there for the purpose of crossing over to Britain.
[3176] The present Santen in the Duchy of Cleves.
[3177] See end of B. iii.
[3178] See end of B. ii.
[3179] See end of B. iii.
[3180] See end of B. iii.
[3181] See end of B. iii.
[3182] See end of B. ii.
[3183] See end of B. iii.
[3184] See end of B. iii.
[3185] See end of B. iii.
[3186] See end of B. ii.
[3187] See end of B. iii.
[3188] See end of B. iii.
[3189] Ateius, surnamed _Prætextatus_, and also Philologus, which
last name he assumed to indicate his learning, was born at Athens,
and was one of the most celebrated grammarians of Rome, in the latter
part of the first century B.C. He was originally a freedman of the
jurist Ateius Capito, by whom he was described as “a rhetorician among
grammarians, and a grammarian among rhetoricians.” He was on terms of
intimacy with Sallust the historian, and Asinius Pollio. It is supposed
that he assisted Sallust in the compilation of his history; but to what
extent is not known. But few of his numerous commentaries were extant
even in the time of Suetonius.
[3190] A native of Megalopolis in Arcadia, born about B.C. 204. He was
trained probably in political knowledge and the military art under
Philopœmen, and was sent, as a prisoner to Rome, with others, to answer
the charge of not aiding the Romans in their war against Perseus. Here,
by great good fortune, he secured the friendship of Scipio Africanus,
with whom he was present at the destruction of Carthage. His history is
one of the most valuable works that has come down to us from antiquity.
[3191] Of Miletus, one of the earliest and most distinguished Greek
historians and geographers. He lived about the 65th Olympiad, or
B.C. 520. A few fragments, quoted, are all that are left of his
historical and geographical works. There is little doubt that Herodotus
extensively availed himself of this writer’s works, though it is
equally untrue that he has transcribed whole passages from him, as
Porphyrius has ventured to assert.
[3192] Of Mitylene, supposed to have flourished about B.C. 450. He
appears to have written numerous geographical and historical works,
which, with the exception of a considerable number of fragments, are
lost.
[3193] Of Sigæum, a Greek historian, contemporary with Herodotus. He
wrote a history of Greece, and several other works, all of which, with
a few unimportant exceptions, are lost.
[3194] See end of B. ii.
[3195] See end of B. ii.
[3196] A Rhodian by birth. He was admiral of the fleet of Ptolemy
Philadelphus, who reigned from B.C. 285 to 247. He wrote a work “On
Harbours,” in ten books, which was copied by Eratosthenes, and is
frequently quoted by ancient writers. Strabo also says that he composed
poetry.
[3197] See end of B. ii.
[3198] Of Cumæ, or Cymæ, in Ionia. He flourished about B.C. 408. He
studied under Isocrates, and gained considerable fame as a historian.
Though anxious to disclose the truth, he has been accused of sometimes
forcing his authorities to suit his own views. Of his history of
Greece, and his essays on various subjects, a few fragments only
survive.
[3199] A grammarian of Mallus, in Cilicia. He lived in the time of
Ptolemy Philopater, and resided at Pergamus, under the patronage of
Eumenes II. and Attalus II. In his grammatical system he made a strong
distinction between _criticism_ and _grammar_, the latter of which
sciences he regarded as quite subordinate to the former. Of his learned
commentaries on the Iliad and the Odyssey, only a few fragments have
come down to us.
[3200] See end of B. ii.
[3201] Of Cyrene, an Alexandrian grammarian and poet. He flourished at
Alexandria, whither Ptolemy Philadelphus had invited him to a place
in the Museum. Of his Hymns and Epigrams many are still extant. His
Elegies, which were of considerable poetical merit, with the exception
of a few fragments, have all perished. Of his numerous other works in
prose, not one is extant in an entire state.
[3202] See end of B. ii.
[3203] Probably Apollodorus of Artemita, in Mesopotamia. It is probably
to him that a Treatise on Islands and Cities has been ascribed by
Tzetzes, as also a History of the Parthians, and a History of Pontus.
[3204] Probably the author of that name, who wrote the History of
Cyzicus, is the person here referred to. He is called by Athenæus both
a Babylonian and a Cyzican. His work is entirely lost; but it appears
to have been extensively read, and is referred to by Cicero and other
ancient writers.
[3205] Of Neapolis. He wrote a History of Hannibal, and to him has
been ascribed a Description of the Universe, of which a fragment still
survives.
[3206] Of Tauromenium, in Sicily; a celebrated historian, who
flourished about the year B.C. 300. He was banished from Sicily by
Agathocles, and passed his exile at Athens. He composed a History of
Sicily, from the earliest times to the year B.C. 264. The value of his
history has been gravely attacked by Polybius; but there is little
doubt that it possessed very considerable merit. Of this, and other
works of Timæus, only a few fragments survive.
[3207] A Greek historian; a native of Lesbos. When he lived is unknown.
Dionysius, of Halicarnassus, has borrowed from him a portion of his
account of the Pelasgians. He is said to have been the author of the
notion that the Tyrrhenians, in consequence of their wanderings after
they left their original settlement, got the name of πελαργοὶ, or
“storks.” He is supposed to have written a History of Lesbos, as also a
work called “Historical Paradoxes.”
[3208] See end of B. iii.
[3209] See end of B. iii.
[3210] Of this author nothing whatever seems to be known.
[3211] Of Miletus, born B.C. 610. One of the earliest philosophers of
the Ionian school, and said to be a pupil of Thales. Unless Pherecydes
of Scyros be an exception, he was the first author of a philosophical
treatise in Greek prose. Other writings are ascribed to him by Suidas;
but, no doubt, on insufficient grounds. Of his treatise, which seems to
have contained summary statements of his opinions, no remains exist.
[3212] Of this writer nothing whatever is known, beyond the fact that,
from his name, he seems to have been a native of Mallus, in Cilicia.
[3213] It seems impossible to say which, out of the vast number of
the authors who bore this name, is the one here referred to. It is
not improbable that Dionysius of Chalcis, a Greek historian who lived
before the Christian era, is meant. He wrote a work on the Foundation
of Towns, in five books, which is frequently referred to by the
ancients. It is not probable that the author of the Periegesis, or
“Description of the World,” is referred to, as that book bears internal
marks of having been compiled in the third or fourth century of the
Christian era.
[3214] Of Miletus. He was the author of the “Milesiaca,” a romance of
licentious character, which was translated into Latin by L. Cornelius
Sisenna. He is looked upon as the inventor of the Greek romance, and
the title of his work is supposed to have given rise to the term
_Milesian_, as applied to works of fiction.
[3215] A Greek author, of whom nothing is known, except that Pliny, and
after him Solinus, refer to him as the authority for the statement that
Eubœa was originally called Chalcis, from the fact of (χαλκὸς) copper
being first discovered there.
[3216] Probably Menæchmus of Sicyon, who wrote a book on Actors, a
History of Alexander the Great, and a book on Sicyon. Suidas says that
he flourished in the time of the successors of Alexander.
[3217] When he flourished is unknown. He is said by Hyginus to have
written a History of the Island of Naxos.
[3218] He lived after the time of Alexander the Great; but his age is
unknown. He wrote a book, περὶ νόστων, on the returns of the Greeks
from their various expeditions, an account of Delos, a History of
Alexander the Great, and other works, all of which have perished.
[3219] Of Heraclæa, in Pontus. He was a pupil of Plato, and, after him,
of Aristotle. His works upon philosophy, history, mathematics, and
other subjects, were very numerous; but, unfortunately, they are nearly
all of them lost. He wrote a Treatise upon Islands, and another upon
the Origin of Cities.
[3220] A geographical writer, of whom nothing further is known.
[3221] The Greek historian, the disciple of Socrates, deservedly
styled the “Attic Bee.” His principal works are the Anabasis, or the
History of the Expedition of the younger Cyrus and the Retreat of the
Ten Thousand; the Hellenica, or History of Greece, from the time when
that of Thucydides ends to the battle of Mantinea, B.C. 362; and the
Cyropædia, or Education of Cyrus. The greater portion of his works is
now lost.
[3222] See end of B. ii.
[3223] See end of B. ii.
[3224] There were two physicians of this name, one of Catana, in
Sicily, the other of Dyrrhachium, in Illyricum, who, like his namesake,
was the author of numerous works. It is doubtful, however, whether
Pliny here refers to either of those authors.
[3225] A Greek historian, quoted by Dionysius of Halicarnassus. If
the same person as the father of the historian Nymphis, he must have
lived in the early part of the second century B.C. He wrote a work on
Islands, and another entitled Χρόνοι, or Chronicles.
[3226] A Greek geographer, who seems to have written an account of
Cyprus.
[3227] He is quoted by Strabo, Athenæus, and the Scholiasts; but all
that is known of him is, that he wrote a work on Thessaly, Æolia,
Attica, and Arcadia.
[3228] He wrote a work relative to Miletus; but nothing further is
known of him.
[3229] See end of B. ii.
[3230] Probably a writer on geography, of whom no particulars are known.
[3231] See end of B. ii.
[3232] Not reckoning under that appellation the country of Egypt,
which was more generally looked upon as forming part of Asia. Josephus
informs us that Africa received its name from Ophir, great-grandson of
Abraham and his second wife, Keturah.
[3233] ‘Castella,’ fortified places, erected for the purpose of
defence; not towns formed for the reception of social communities.
[3234] The Emperor Caligula, who, in the year 41 A.D., reduced the two
Mauritanias to Roman provinces, and had King Ptolemy, the son of Juba,
put to death.
[3235] Now Cape Spartel. By Scylax it is called Hermæum, and by Ptolemy
and Strabo Cote, or Coteis. Pliny means “extreme,” with reference to
the sea-line of the Mediterranean, in a direction due west.
[3236] Mentioned again by Pliny in B. xxxii. c. 6. Lissa was so called,
according to Bochart, from the Hebrew or Phœnician word _liss_, ‘a
lion.’ At the present day there is in this vicinity a headland called
the ‘Cape of the Lion.’ Bochart thinks that the name ‘Cotta,’ or
‘Cotte,’ was derived from the Hebrew _quothef_, a ‘vine-dresser.’
[3237] The modern Tangier occupies its site. It was said to have
derived its name from Tinge, the wife of Antæus, the giant, who was
slain by Hercules. His tomb, which formed a hill, in the shape of a man
stretched out at full length, was shown near the town of Tingis to a
late period. It was also believed, that whenever a portion of the earth
covering the body was taken away, it rained until the hole was filled
up again. Sertorius is said to have dug away a portion of the hill;
but, on discovering a skeleton sixty cubits in length, he was struck
with horror, and had it immediately covered again. Procopius says, that
the fortress of this place was built by the Canaanites, who were driven
by the Jews out of Palestine.
[3238] It has been supposed by Salmasius and others of the learned,
that Pliny by mistake here attributes to Claudius the formation of a
colony which was really established by either Julius Cæsar or Augustus.
It is more probable, however, that Claudius, at a later period, ordered
it to be called “Traducta Julia,” or “the removed Colony of Julia,” in
remembrance of a colony having proceeded thence to Spain in the time of
Julius Cæsar. Claudius himself, as stated in the text, established a
colony here.
[3239] Its ruins are to be seen at Belonia, or Bolonia, three Spanish
miles west of the modern Tarifa.
[3240] At this point Pliny begins his description of the western side
of Africa.
[3241] Now Arzilla, in the territory of Fez. Ptolemy places it at the
mouth of the river Zileia. It is also mentioned by Strabo and Antoninus.
[3242] Now El Araiche, or Larache, on the river Lucos.
[3243] Mentioned again in B. ix. c. 4 and c. 5 of the present Book,
where Pliny speaks of them as situate elsewhere. The story of Antæus is
further enlarged upon by Solinus, B. xxiv.; Lucan, B. iv. l. 589, _et
seq._; and Martianus Capella, B. vi.
[3244] Now the Lucos.
[3245] Hardouin is of opinion, that he here has a hit at Gabinius, a
Roman author, who, in his Annals of Mauritania, as we learn from Strabo
(B. xvii.), inserted numerous marvellous and incredible stories.
[3246] When we find Pliny accusing other writers of credulity, we are
strongly reminded of the proverb, ‘Clodius accusat mœchos.’
[3247] Or the “Julian Colony on the Plains.” Marcus suggests that
the word _Babba_ may possibly have been derived from the Hebrew
or Phœnician word _beab_ or _beaba_, “situate in a thick forest.”
Poinsinet takes Babba to be the Beni-Tuedi of modern times. D’Anville
thinks that it is Naranja.
[3248] There is considerable difficulty about the site of Banasa.
Moletius thinks that it is the modern Fanfara, or Pefenfia as Marmol
calls it. D’Anville suggests that it may be Old Mahmora, on the coast;
but, on the other hand, Ptolemy places it among the _inland_ cities,
assigning to it a longitude at some distance from the sea. Pliny
also appears to make it inland, and makes its distance from Lixos
seventy-five miles, while he makes the mouth of the Subur to be fifty
miles from the same place.
[3249] From both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. According to
Poinsinet, Volubilis was the synonym of the African name _Fez_,
signifying a ‘band,’ or ‘swathe.’ Mannert conjectures that it is the
same as the modern Walili, or Qualili. D’Anville calls it Guulili, and
says that there are some remains of antiquity there.
[3250] The modern Subu, or Sebou. D’Anville is of opinion that this
river has changed a part of its course since the time of Pliny.
[3251] Most probably the modern Sallee stands on its site.
[3252] Not in reference to the fact of its existence, but the wonderful
stories which were told respecting it.
[3253] Like others of the ancient writers, Pliny falls into the error
of considering Atlas, not as an extensive chain of mountains, but as an
isolated mountain, surrounded by sands. With reference to its height,
the whole range declines considerably from west to east; the highest
summits in Morocco reaching near 13,000 feet, in Tunis not 5000.
[3254] Or “Goat-Pans;” probably another name for the Fauni, or Fauns.
More usually, there is but one Ægipan mentioned,—the son, according to
Hyginus, of Zeus or Jupiter, and a goat,—or of Zeus and Æga, the wife
of Pan. As a foundation for one part of the stories here mentioned,
Brotier suggests the fact, that as the Kabyles, or mountain tribes,
are in the habit of retiring to their dwellings and reposing during
the heat of the day, it would not, consequently, be improbable that
they would devote the night to their amusements, lighting up fires, and
dancing to the music of drums and cymbals.
[3255] Under his name we still possess a “Periplus,” or account of
a voyage round a part of Libya. The work was originally written in
Punic, but what has come down to us is a Greek translation. We fail,
however, to discover any means by which to identify him with any one of
the many Carthaginians of the same name. Some writers call him king,
and others _dux_, or _imperator_ of the Carthaginians; from which we
may infer, that he held the office of _suffetes_. This expedition has
by some been placed as far back as the time of the Trojan war, or of
Hesiod, while others again place it as late as the reign of Agathocles.
Falconer, Bougainville, and Gail, place the time of Hanno at about B.C.
570, while other critics identify him with Hanno, the father or son of
Hamilcar, who was killed at Himera, B.C. 480. Pliny often makes mention
of him; more particularly see B. viii. c. 21.
[3256] M. Gosselin thinks that the spot here indicated was at the
south-western extremity of the Atlas range, and upon the northern
frontier of the Desert of Zahara.
[3257] Supposed by some geographers to be the same as that now called
the Ommirabih, or the Om-Rabya. This is also thought by some to have
been the same river as is called by Pliny, in p. 381, by the name of
Asana; but the distances do not agree.
[3258] Supposed by Gosselin to be the present bay of Al-cazar, on the
African coast, in the Straits of Cadiz; though Hardouin takes it to be
the κόλπος ἐμπορικὸς, or “Gulf of Commerce,” of Strabo and Ptolemy.
By first quoting from one, and then at a tangent from another, Pliny
involves this subject in almost inextricable confusion.
[3259] Probably the place called Thymiaterion in the Periplus of Hanno.
[3260] The present Subu, and the river probably of Sallce, previously
mentioned.
[3261] The modern Mazagan, according to Gosselin.
[3262] Cape Cantin, according to Gosselin; Cape Blanco, according to
Marcus.
[3263] Probably the Safi, Asafi, or Saffee of the present day.
[3264] The river Tensift, which runs close to the city of Morocco, in
the interior.
[3265] The river Mogador of the present day.
[3266] The modern river Sus, or Sous.
[3267] The learned Gosselin has aptly remarked, that this cannot be
other than an error, and that “ninety-six” is the correct reading, the
Gulf of Sainte-Croix being evidently the one here referred to.
[3268] Mount Barce seems to be here a name for the Atlas, or Daran
chain.
[3269] Supposed by Gosselin to be the present Cape Ger.
[3270] The river Assa, according to Gosselin. There is also a river
Suse placed here in the maps.
[3271] These two tribes probably dwelt between the modern Capes Ger and
Non.
[3272] Marcus believes these to have been the ancestors of the present
race of the Touaricks, while the Melanogætuli were the progenitors of
the Tibbos, of a darker complexion, and more nearly resembling the
negroes in bodily conformation.
[3273] Supposed by Gosselin to be the present river Nun, or Non.
According to Bochart, this river received its name from the Hebrew or
Phœnician word _behemoth_ or _bamoth_, the name by which Job (xl. 15)
calls the crocodile [or rather the hippopotamus]. Bochart, however,
with Mannert, Bougainville, De Rennet, and De Heeren, is of opinion,
that by this name the modern river Senegal is meant. Marcus is of
opinion that it is either the Non or the modern Sobi.
[3274] Marcus here observes, that from Cape Alfach, below Cape Non,
there are no mountains, but continual wastes of sand, bordering on the
sea-shore. Indeed there is no headland, of any considerable height,
between Cape Sobi and Cape Bajador.
[3275] “The Chariot of the Gods.” Marcus is of opinion that it is the
modern Cape Verde; while, on the other hand, Gosselin takes it to be
Cape Non. Brotier calls it Cape Ledo.
[3276] In B. vi. c. 36, Pliny speaks of this promontory as the
“Hesperian Horn,” and says that it is but four days’ sail from the
Theon Ochema. Brotier identifies this promontory with the modern Cape
Roxo. Marcus is of opinion that it was the same as Cape Non; but there
is considerable difficulty in determining its identity.
[3277] Alluding to Polybius; though, according to the reading which
Sillig has adopted a few lines previously, Agrippa is the last author
mentioned. Pliny has here mistaken the meaning of Polybius, who has
placed Atlas midway between Carthage, from which he had set out, and
the Promontory of Theon Ochema, which he reached.
[3278] Ptolemy the son of Juba II. and Cleopatra, was summoned to Rome
in the year A.D. 40, by Caligula, and shortly after put to death by
him, his riches having excited the emperor’s cupidity. Previously to
this, he had been on terms of strict alliance with the Roman people,
who had decreed him a _toga picta_ and a sceptre, as a mark of their
friendship.
[3279] Ivory and citron-wood, or cedar, were used for the making and
inlaying of the tables used by the Roman nobility. See B. xiii. c. 23.
[3280] Supposed by some geographers to be the modern Wadi-Tensift. It
has been also confounded with the Anatis (see note [3171], p. 369);
while others again identify it with the Anidus. It is more commonly
spelt ‘Asama.’
[3281] Or Phuth. It does not appear to have been identified.
[3282] The range is still called by the name of Daran.
[3283] The same general who afterwards conquered the Britons under
Boadicea or Bonduca. While Proprætor in Mauritania under the Emperor
Claudius, in the year A.D. 42, he defeated the Mauri who had risen in
revolt, and advanced, as Pliny here states, as far as Mount Atlas. It
is not known from what point Paulinus made his advance towards the
Atlas range. Mannert and Marcus are of opinion that he set out from
Sala, the modern Sallee, while Latreille, Malte Brun, and Walkenaer
think that his point of departure was the mouth of the river Lixos.
Sala was the most southerly town on the western coast of Africa that in
the time of Pliny had submitted to the Roman arms.
[3284] Some of the editions read ‘Niger’ here. Marcus suggests that
that river may have been called ‘Niger’ by the Phœnician or Punic
colonists of the western Mauritania, and ‘Ger’ or ‘Gar’ in another
quarter. The same writer also suggests that the Sigilmessa was the
river to which Paulinus penetrated on his march beyond Atlas.
[3285] The Sigilmessa, according to Marmol, flows between several
mountains which appear to be of a blackish hue.
[3286] Bocchus however, the kinsman of Massinissa, had previously for
some time reigned over both the Mauritanias, consisting of Mauritania
Tingitana and Mauritania Cæsariana.
[3287] See B. xxv. c. 7. 12, and B. xxvi. c. 8.
[3288] Extending from the sea to the river Moluga, now called the
Molucha and Molochath, or Malva and Malvana.
[3289] From whom the Moors of the present day take their name. Marcus
observes here, that though Pliny distinguishes the Mauri from the
Gætuli, they essentially belonged to the same race and spoke the same
language, the so-called Berber, and its dialects, the Schellou and the
Schoviah.
[3290] ‘Maurusii’ was the Greek name, ‘Mauri’ the Latin, for this
people. Marcus suggests that Mauri was a synonym only for the Greek
word _nomades_, ‘wanderers.’
[3291] As Marcus observes, Pliny is here greatly in error. On the
inroads of Paulinus, the Mauri had retreated into the interior and
taken refuge in the deserts of Zahara, whence they had again emerged in
the time of the geographer Ptolemy.
[3292] From the time of the second Punic War this people had remained
in undisputed possession of the country situate between the rivers
Molochath or Moluga and Ampsaga, which formed the Cæsarian Mauritania.
Ptolemy speaks of finding some remains of them at Siga, a town situate
on a river of the same name, and at which King Syphax had formerly
resided.
[3293] While Pomponius Mela does not make any difference between the
Mauri and the Gætuli, Pliny here speaks of them as being essentially
different.
[3294] Derived, according to Marcus, from the Arabic compound
_bani-our_, ‘child of nakedness,’ as equivalent to the Greek word
_gymnetes_, by which name Pliny and other ancient writers designate the
wandering naked races of Western Africa.
[3295] The Autololes or, as Ptolemy calls them, the Autololæ, dwelt, it
is supposed, on the western coast of Africa, between Cape Cantin and
Cape Ger. Their city of Autolala or Autolalæ is one of Ptolemy’s points
of astronomical observation, having the longest day thirteen hours
and a half, being distant three hours and a half west of Alexandria,
and having the sun vertical once a year, at the time of the winter
solstice. Reichard takes it for the modern Agulon or Aquilon.
[3296] The Æthiopian Daratitæ, Marcus says.
[3297] The present Ceuta.
[3298] They were so called from the circumstance, Marcus says, of their
peaks being so numerous, and so strongly resembling each other. They
are now called, according to D’Anville, ‘Gebel Mousa,’ which means “the
Mountain of Apes,” an animal by which they are now much frequented,
instead of by elephants as in Pliny’s time.
[3299] Or Mediterranean.
[3300] The modern Bedia, according to Olivarius, the Tasanel, according
to Dupinet, and the Alamos or Kerkal, according to Ansart. Marcus says
that it is called the Setuan, and is the largest stream on the northern
shores of Western Africa.
[3301] The modern Gomera according to Hardouin, the Nocor according to
Mannert.
[3302] The modern Melilla most probably.
[3303] The modern Maluia. Antoninus calls it Malva, and Ptolemy Maloua.
[3304] Its site is occupied by the modern Aresgol, according to
Mariana, Guardia or Sereni according to Dupinet, Ned-Roma according
to Mannert and D’Anville, and Tachumbrit according to Shaw. Marcus is
inclined to be of the same opinion as the last-mentioned geographer.
[3305] Now the city of Malaga.
[3306] Mauritania Cæsariensis, or Cæsarian Mauritania, now forming the
French province of Algiers.
[3307] “Bogudiana;” from Bogud or Bogoas. The last king Bogud was
deprived of his kingdom by Bocchus, king of Mauritania Cæsariensis, a
warm partisan of Cæsar.
[3308] Or the “Great Harbour,” now Arzeu according to D’Anville, and
Mars-el-Kebir according to Marcus.
[3309] The same river probably as the Malva or Malvana previously
mentioned, the word _mulucha_ or _malacha_ coming from the Greek
μολόχη, “a marsh mallow,” which _malva_, as a Latin word, also
signifies. See p. 383.
[3310] From the Greek word ξένος, “a stranger.” Pomponius Mela and
Antoninus call this place Guiza, and Ptolemy Quisa. D’Anville places it
on the right side of the river Malvana or Mulucha, and Shaw says that
it was situate in the vicinity of the modern town of Oran.
[3311] Now Marz-Agolet, or situate in its vicinity, according to
Hardouin and Ansart, and the present Arzen, according to Marcus, where
numerous remains of antiquity are found.
[3312] Now Tenez, according to D’Anville, and Mesgraïm, according to
Mannert; with which last opinion Marcus agrees.
[3313] Ptolemy and Antoninus place this colony to the east of the
Promontory of Apollo, and not the west as Pliny does.
[3314] The present Cape Mestagan.
[3315] According to Dupinet and Mannert, the modern Tenez occupies
its site, Zershell according to Hardouin and Shaw, Vacur according to
D’Anville and Ansart, and Algiers according to others. It is suggested
by Marcus that the name Iol is derived from the Arabic verb _galla_,
“to be noble” or “famous.” There is no doubt that the magnificent ruins
at Zershell are those of Iol, and that its name is an abbreviation of
Cæsarea Iol.
[3316] Or New Town.
[3317] Scylax calls it Thapsus; Ammianus Marcellinus, Tiposa. According
to Mannert it was situate in the vicinity of the modern Damas.
[3318] Or Icosium. It has been identified by inscriptions discovered
by the French as standing on the same site as the modern Algiers.
D’Anville, Mannert and others identify it with Scherchell or Zershell,
thus placing it too far west. Mannert was evidently misled by an error
in the Antonine Itinerary, whereby all the places along this coast are,
for a considerable distance, thrown too far to the west; the researches
however which followed the French conquest of the country have revealed
inscriptions which completely set the question at rest.
[3319] According to Mannert, this was situate on the modern Cape
Arbatel. Marcus thinks that the Hebrew _ros_, or Arab _ras_, “a rock,”
enters into the composition of the word.
[3320] Now Hur according to D’Anville, Colcah according to Mannert.
[3321] The modern Acor, according to Marcus.
[3322] The modern Pedeles or Delys, according to Ortellius and Mannert,
Tedles according to D’Anville.
[3323] The modern Jigeli or Gigeri. It was probably in ancient times
the emporium of the surrounding country.
[3324] Destroyed, according to Hardouin, and probably by the incursions
of the sea. At the mouth of the Ampsaga (now called the Wad-El-Kebir
or Sufjimar, and higher up the Wadi Roumel) there is situate a small
sea-port called Marsa Zeitoun.
[3325] Near the present Mazuaa, according to Mannert.
[3326] The modern Burgh, according to D’Anville and Mannert, but more
probably considerably to the east of that place.
[3327] The modern El-Herba, according to Mannert.
[3328] Marcus suggests that this is the Chinalaph of Ptolemy, and
probably the modern Schellif.
[3329] The same that is called Savis by Ptolemy, who places Icosium on
its banks.
[3330] By Mela called the Vabar. Marcus supposes it to be the same as
the modern Giffer.
[3331] By Ptolemy called the Sisar; the Ajebbi of modern geographers,
which falls into the Mediterranean, near the city of Budja.
[3332] Brotier says that this reading is incorrect, and that 222 is the
proper one, that being the true distance between the river Ampsaga or
Wad-el-Kebir and the city of Cæsarea, the modern Zershell.
[3333] It was not only Numidia that bore this name, but all the
northern coast of Africa from the frontiers of the kingdom of Carthage
near Hippo Regius to the Columns of Hercules. It was thus called
from the Greek _metagonos_, a “descendant” or “successor;” as the
Carthaginians established a number of small towns and villages on the
coast, which were thus posterior in their origin to the large cities
already founded there.
[3334] Hardouin says that the Moors in the interior still follow the
same usage, carrying their houses from pasture to pasture on waggons.
[3335] Now Chollum or Collo.
[3336] The modern Sgigada or Stora, according to Mannert, D’Anville,
and Shaw.
[3337] The modern Constantina occupies its site. Numerous remains of
the ancient town are still discovered. Sitius was an officer who served
under Cæsar, and obtained a grant of this place after the defeat of
Juba.
[3338] Called Urbs, or Kaff, according to D’Anville and Shaw; the
latter of whom found an inscription there with the words _Ordo
Siccensium_.
[3339] Or ‘Royal Bulla’; which epithet shows that it was either a
residence or a foundation of the kings of Numidia, and distinguishes
it from a small place called Bulla Mensa, south of Carthage. Bulla
Regia was four days’ journey south-west of Carthage, on a tributary of
the river Bagrada, the valley of which is still called Wad-el-Boul.
This place was one of the points of Ptolemy’s recorded astronomical
observations, having its longest day fourteen hours and one-eighth, and
being distant from Alexandria two hours to the west.
[3340] The modern Tamseh, according to Shaw and Mannert, and Tagodet,
according to D’Anville.
[3341] Its ruins are south of the modern Bona. It received the name of
_Regius_ or ‘Royal’ from being the residence of the Numidian kings. It
was also famed as being the see of St. Augustine. It was a colony of
Tyre, and stood on the bay now forming the Gulf of Bona. It was one
of the most flourishing cities of Africa till it was destroyed by the
Vandals A.D. 430.
[3342] Now the Mafragg, according to Mannert.
[3343] Still called Tabarca, according to Hardouin.
[3344] Now the Zaina, according to Marcus.
[3345] For the character of the Numidian marble, see Pliny, B. xxxvi.
c. 7.
[3346] Extending from the river Tusca, or Zaina, to the northern
frontiers of Byzacium. It corresponds with the Turkish province or
beylik of Tunis.
[3347] He says this not only to distinguish it from Africa, considered
as one-third of the globe, but also in contradistinction to the
proconsular province of the Roman empire of the same name, which
contained not only the province of Zeugitana, but also those of
Numidia, Byzacium, and Tripolis.
[3348] Candidum: now Ras-el-Abiad.
[3349] The references to this headland identify it with Cape Farina, or
Ras Sidi Ali-al-Mekhi, and not, as some have thought, the more westerly
Cape Zibeeb or Ras Sidi Bou-Shoushe. Shaw however applies the name of
Zibeeb to the former.
[3350] Now Cape Bon, or Ras-Addar.
[3351] More properly called Hippo Diarrhytus or Zaritus, a Tyrian
colony, situate on a large lake which communicated with the sea, and
received the waters of another lake. Its situation exposed it to
frequent inundations, whence, as the Greeks used to state, the epithet
διάῤῥυτος. It seems more probable however that this is the remnant of
some Phœnician title, as the ancients were not agreed on the true form
of the name, and of this uncertainty we have a further proof in the
_Hippo Dirutus_ of our author.
[3352] This is placed by Ptolemy to the south-east of Hippo, and near
the southern extremity of Lake Sisar.
[3353] This important city stood on the north part of the Carthaginian
Gulf, west of the mouth of the Bagrada, and twenty-seven Roman miles
N.W. of Carthage; but the site of its ruins at the modern Bou-Shater
is now inland, in consequence of the changes made by the Bagrada
in the coast-line. In the Third Punic war Utica took part with the
Romans against Carthage, and was rewarded with the greater part of the
Carthaginian territory.
[3354] Now called the Mejerdah, and though of very inconsiderable
size, the chief river of the Carthaginian territory. The main stream
is formed by the union of two branches, the southern of which, the
ancient Bagrada, is now called the Mellig, and in its upper course the
Meskianah. The other branch is called the Hamiz.
[3355] Or the “Cornelian Camp.” The spot where Cornelius Scipio
Africanus the Elder first encamped, on landing in Africa, B.C. 204.
Cæsar describes this spot, in his description of Curio’s operations
against Utica, B. C. b. ii. c. 24, 25. This spot is now called Ghellah.
[3356] This colony was first established by Caius Gracchus, who sent
6000 settlers to found on the site of Carthage the new city of Junonia.
The Roman senate afterwards annulled this with the other acts of
Gracchus. Under Augustus however the new city of Carthage was founded,
which, when Strabo wrote, was as prosperous as any city in Africa. It
was made, in place of Utica, which had favoured the Pompeian party,
the seat of the proconsul of Old Africa. It stood on the peninsula
terminated by Ras-Sidi-Bou-Said, Cape Carthage or Carthagena. As Gibbon
has remarked, “The place might be unknown if some broken arches of an
aqueduct did not guide the footsteps of the inquisitive traveller.”
[3357] The original city of Carthage was called ‘Carthago Magna’ to
distinguish it from New Carthage and Old Carthage, colonies in Spain.
[3358] Now Rhades, according to Marcus.
[3359] Marcus identifies it with the modern Gurtos.
[3360] By the Greeks called ‘Aspis.’ It derived its Greek and Roman
names from its site on a hill of a shield-like shape. It was built by
Agathocles, the Sicilian, B.C. 310. In the first Punic war it was the
landing-place of Manlius and Regulus, whose first action was to take
it, B.C. 256. Its site is still known as Kalebiah, and its ruins are
peculiarly interesting. The site of Misua is occupied by Sidi-Doud,
according to Shaw and D’Anville.
[3361] Shaw informs us that an inscription found on the spot designates
this place as a colony, not a free city or town. Its present name is
Kurbah.
[3362] The present Nabal, according to D’Anville.
[3363] Zeugitana extended from the river Tusca to Horrea-Cælia, and
Byzacium from this last place to Thenæ.
[3364] As sprung partly from the Phœnician immigrants, and partly from
the native Libyans or Africans.
[3365] Pliny says, B. xvii. c. 3, “A hundred and fifty fold.” From Shaw
we learn that this fertility no longer exists, the fields producing not
more than eight- or at most twelve-fold.
[3366] The modern Lempta occupies its site.
[3367] Originally a Phœnician colony, older than Carthage. It was the
capital of Byzacium, and stood within the southern extremity of the
Sinus Neapolitanus or Gulf of Hammamet. Trajan made it a colony, under
the high-sounding name, as we gather from inscriptions, of _Colonia
Concordia Ulpia Trajana Augusta Frugifera Hadrumetana_, or, as set
forth on coins, _Colonia Concordia Julia Hadrumetana Pia_. The epithet
_Frugifera_ refers to the fact that it was one of the chief sea-ports
for the corn-producing country of Byzacium. It was destroyed by the
Vandals, but restored by the Emperor Justinian under the name of
Justiniana or Justinianopolis. The modern Sousa stands on its site; and
but slight traces of the ancient city are to be found.
[3368] Situate in the vicinity of the modern Monastir.
[3369] Shaw discovered its ruins at the modern town of Demas.
[3370] Now Taineh, according to D’Anville. This place formed the
boundary between the proconsular province of Africa and the territory
of the Numidian king Masinissa and his descendants.
[3371] The present Mahometa, according to Marcus, El Mahres according
to D’Anville.
[3372] Now Cabès, according to D’Anville, giving name to the Gulf of
Cabès. Marcus calls it Gaps.
[3373] Now Tripoli Vecchio; also called Sabart according to D’Anville.
[3374] Scipio Æmilianus, the son-in-law of Æmilius Paulus.
[3375] Micipsa, the son of Masinissa, and his two legitimate brethren.
Scipio having been left by Masinissa executor of his will, the
sovereign power was divided by him between Micipsa and his two brethren
Gulussa and Mastanabal. On this occasion also he separated Numidia from
Zeugitana and Byzacium, by a long dyke drawn from Thenæ, due south,
to the borders of the Great Desert, and thence in a north-westerly
direction to the river Tusca.
[3376] The Syrtes or ‘Quicksands’ are now called, the Lesser Syrtes the
Gulf of Cabès, and the Greater the Gulf of Sydra. The country situate
between the two Syrtes is called Tripoli, formerly Tripolis, a name
which, according to Solinus, it owed to its three cities, Sabrata,
Leptis, and Œa.
[3377] Marcus observes with reference to this passage, that both
Hardouin and Poinsinet have mistaken its meaning. They evidently think
that Pliny is speaking here of a route to the Syrtes leading from the
interior of Africa, whereas it is pretty clear that he is speaking
of the dangers which attend those who approach it by the line of the
sea-coast, as Cato did, on his march to Utica, so beautifully described
by Lucan in his Ninth Book. This is no doubt the same route which was
taken by the caravans on their passage from Lebida, the ancient Leptis,
to Berenice in Cyrenaica.
[3378] Those which we find at the middle of the coast bordering upon
the Greater Syrtis, and which separate the mountains of Fezzan and
Atlas from Cyrenaica and Barca.
[3379] In its widest sense this name is applied to all the Libyan
tribes inhabiting the Oases on the eastern part of the Great Desert,
as the Gætulians inhabited its western part, the boundary between the
two nations being drawn at the sources of the Bagrada and the mountain
Usargala. In the stricter sense however, and in which the term must be
here understood, the name ‘Garamantes’ denoted the people of Phazania,
the modern Fezzan, which forms by far the largest oasis in the Grand
Desert of Zahara.
[3380] Augylæ, now Aujelah, was an oasis in the desert of Barca, in the
region of Cyrenaica, about 3-1/2° south of Cyrene. It has been remarked
that Pliny, here and in the Eighth Chapter of the present Book, in
abridging the account given by Herodotus of the tribes of Northern
Africa, has transferred to the Augylæ what that author really says
of the Nasamones. This oasis forms one of the chief stations on the
caravan route from Cairo to Fezzan. It is placed by Rennell in 30° 3′
North Lat. and 22° 46′ East Long., 180 miles south-east of Barca, 180
west by north of Siwah, the ancient Ammonium, and 426 east by north of
Mourzouk. Later authorities, however, place the village of Aujelah in
29° 15′ North Lat. and 21° 55′ East Long.
[3381] For an account of the Psylli see B. vii. c. 2. They probably
dwelt in the vicinity of the modern Cape Mesurata.
[3382] Now Lake Lynxama, according to Marcus.
[3383] Marcus observes that in order properly to understand this
passage we must remember that the ancients considered Africa as
terminating north of the Equator, and imagined that from the Straits of
Hercules the western coast of Africa ran, not towards the south-west,
but slanted in a south-easterly direction to the Straits of Babelmandel.
[3384] The modern Tripoli.
[3385] A flourishing city with a mixed population of Libyans and
Sicilians. It was at this place that Apuleius made his eloquent and
ingenious defence against the charge of sorcery brought against him by
his step-sons. According to some writers the modern Tripoli is built on
its site, while other accounts make it to have been situate six leagues
from that city.
[3386] Now called the Wady-el-Quaham.
[3387] Mannert is of opinion that this was only another name for the
city of Leptis Magna or the “Greater Leptis” here mentioned by Pliny.
There is little doubt that his supposition is correct.
[3388] The more common reading is Taphra or Taphara. D’Anville
identifies it with the town of Sfakes.
[3389] Scylax identifies it with Neapolis or Leptis, and it is
generally looked upon as being the same place as Sabrata or Old Tripoli.
[3390] Now called Lebida. It was the birth-place of the Emperor
Septimius Severus. It was almost destroyed by an attack from a Libyan
tribe A.D. 366, and its ruin was completed by the invasion of the
Arabs. Its ruins are considerable.
[3391] “Men of sea complexion,” is the meaning of this Greek name.
According to Marcus they dwelt between the Greater Leptis and the Lake
Tritonis, at the present day called Schibkah-el-Loudeah. For a further
account of the Lotophagi, see B. xiii. c. 32.
[3392] Two brothers, citizens of Carthage, who in a dispute as to
their respective territories with the people of Cyrene, submitted to
be buried alive in the sand, at the boundary-line between the two
countries. Sallust (Jugurthine War) is the main authority for the
story. It is also related by Pomponius Mela, B. i. c. 7, and Valerius
Maximus, B. v. c. 6, but from the Greek name of the brothers, meaning
“lovers of praise,” it is doubtful whether the story is not of spurious
origin.
[3393] The Lake Tritonis mentioned in note [3391], p. 393.
[3394] Now called El Hammah, according to Shaw.
[3395] According to some accounts the goddess Pallas or Minerva was
born on the banks of Lake Tritonis.
[3396] The modern Cape of Tajuni.
[3397] Now called Udina, according to Marcus.
[3398] Now called Tabersole, according to Marcus.
[3399] In the north of Byzacium, near the Bagrada and the confines
of Numidia. It was the station of a Roman garrison, and considerable
remains of it are still visible near the modern Zanfour.
[3400] Called Cannopissæ by Ptolemy, who places it to the east of
Tabraca.
[3401] There is great doubt as to the correct orthography of these
places, most of which can be no longer identified.
[3402] According to Marcus the present Porto Tarina.
[3403] Also called Achilla and Achulla, the ruins of which are to be
seen at the modern El Aliah. It stood on the sea-coast of Byzacium,
a little above the northern extremity of the Lesser Syrtis. It was a
colony from the island of Melita, now Malta.
[3404] Now called El-Jemma, according to Marcus.
[3405] From it modern Tunis takes its name.
[3406] The birth-place of St. Augustin. It was to the north-west of
Hippo Regius.
[3407] In the vicinity of this place, if it is the same as the Tigisis
mentioned by Procopius, there were two columns to be seen in his day,
upon which was written in the Phœnician language, “We fled from before
the robber, Joshua the son of Nun.”
[3408] There were two towns of this name in the proconsular province
of Africa. The first was situate in the country of Zeugitana, five
days’ journey west of Carthage, and it was here that Scipio defeated
Hannibal. The other bore the surname of _Regia_ or Royal, from being
the frequent residence of the Numidian kings. It lay in the interior,
and at the present day its site bears the name of ‘Zowarin’ or
‘Zewarin.’
[3409] The ruins of Capsa still bear the name of Cafsa or Ghafsah.
It was an important city in the extreme south of Numidia, situate in
an oasis, in the midst of an arid desert abounding in serpents. In
the Jugurthine war it was the treasury of Jugurtha, and was taken and
destroyed by Marius; but was afterwards rebuilt and made a colony.
[3410] They dwelt between the river Ampsaga or Wady-El-Kebir and the
Tusca or Wady-Zain, the western boundary of the Carthaginian territory.
[3411] Dwelling to the east of the mountain Zalycus, now known as the
Wanashrise, according to Shaw.
[3412] The ancients called by the name of ‘Gætulians’ all the people of
Africa who dwelt south of the Mauritanias and Numidia, as far as the
line which, according to their ideas, separated Africa from Æthiopia.
[3413] The Quorra most probably of modern geographers.
[3414] So called, as mentioned below, from its five principal cities.
[3415] Where Jupiter Ammon or Hammon was worshiped under the form of
a ram, the form he was said to have assumed when the deities were
dispersed in the war with the Giants. Ancient Ammonium is the present
oasis of Siwah in the Libyan Desert.
[3416] The same that has been already mentioned in B. ii. c. 106. It is
mentioned by Herodotus and Pomponius Mela.
[3417] Previously called Hesperis or Hesperides. It was the most
westerly city of Cyrenaica, and stood just beyond the eastern extremity
of the Greater Syrtis, on a promontory called Pseudopenias, and near
the river Lethon. Its historical importance only dates from the times
of the Ptolemies, when it was named Berenice, after the wife of Ptolemy
III. or Euergetes. Having been greatly reduced, it was fortified anew
by the Emperor Justinian. Its ruins are to be seen at the modern Ben
Ghazi.
[3418] So called from Arsinoë, the sister of Ptolemy Philadelphus.
Its earlier name was Taucheira or Teucheira, which name, according to
Marcus, it still retains.
[3419] Its ruins may still be seen at Tolmeita or Tolometa. It was
situate on the N.W. coast of Cyrenaica, and originally bore the name of
Barca. From which of the Ptolemies it took its name is not known. Its
splendid ruins are not less than four miles in circumference.
[3420] Its ruins are still to be seen, bespeaking its former splendour,
at the modern Marsa Sousah. It was originally only the port of Cyrene,
but under the Ptolemies it flourished to such an extent as to eclipse
that city. It is pretty certain that it was the Sozusa of the later
Greek writers. Eratosthenes was a native of this place.
[3421] The chief city of Cyrenaica, and the most important Hellenic
colony in Africa, the early settlers having extensively intermarried
with wives of Libyan parentage. In its most prosperous times it
maintained an extensive commerce with Greece and Egypt, especially in
silphium or assafœtida, the plantations of which, as mentioned in the
present chapter, extended for miles in its vicinity. Great quantities
of this plant were also exported to Capua in Southern Italy, where it
was extensively employed in the manufacture of perfumes. The scene of
the ‘Rudens,’ the most picturesque (if we may use the term) of the
plays of Plautus, is laid in the vicinity of Cyrene, and frequent
reference is made in it to the extensive cultivation of silphium;
a head of which plant also appears on the coins of the place. The
philosophers Aristippus and Carneades were born here, as also the poet
Callimachus. Its ruins, at the modern Ghrennah, are very extensive, and
are indicative of its former splendour.
[3422] In C. 1 of the present Book. It was only the poetical fancy
of the Greeks that found the fabled gardens of the Hesperides in the
fertile regions of Cyrenaica. Scylax distinctly mentions the gardens
and the lake of the Hesperides in this vicinity, where we also find
a people called Hesperidæ, or, as Herodotus names them, Euesperidæ.
It was probably in consequence of this similarity of name, in a great
degree, that the gardens of the Hesperides were assigned to this
locality.
[3423] Now called Ras-Sem or Ras-El-Kazat. It is situate a little to
the west of Apollonia and N.W. of Cyrene.
[3424] According to Ansart, 264 miles is the real distance between
Capes Ras-Sem and Tænarum or Matapan
[3425] As already mentioned, Apollonia formed the harbour of Cyrene.
[3426] This was called the Chersonesus Magna, being so named in
contradistinction to the Chersonesus Parva, on the coast of Egypt,
about thirty-five miles west of Alexandria. It is now called
Ras-El-Tin, or more commonly Raxatin.
[3427] So called from the peculiar features of the locality, the Greek
word καταβαθμὸς, signifying “a descent.” A deep valley, bounded east
and west by ranges of high hills, runs from this spot to the frontiers
of Egypt. It is again mentioned by Pliny at the end of the present
Chapter. The spot is still known by a similar name, being called Marsa
Sollern, or the “Port of the Ladder.” In earlier times the Egyptian
territory ended at the Gulf of Plinthinethes, now Lago Segio, and did
not extend so far as Catabathmos.
[3428] This name was unknown to Herodotus. As Marcus observes, it was
probably of Phœnician origin, signifying “leading a wandering life,”
like the term “nomad,” derived from the Greek.
[3429] Now called El Bareton or Marsa-Labeit. This city was of
considerable importance, and belonged properly to Marmaria, but was
included politically in the Nomos Libya of Egypt. It stood near the
promontory of Artos or Pythis, now Ras-El-Hazeit.
[3430] So called from the words _Matâ-Ammon_, “the tribe of Ammon,”
according to Bochart. The Nasamones were a powerful but savage people
of Libya, who dwelt originally on the shores of the Greater Syrtis, but
were driven inland by the Greek settlers of Cyrenaica, and afterwards
by the Romans.
[3431] From μεσὸς “the middle,” and ἄμμος “sand.”
[3432] See note [3421] in p. 396.
[3433] Herodotus places this nation to the west of the Nasamones and on
the river Cinyps, now called the Wadi-Quaham.
[3434] In most of the editions they are called ‘Hammanientes.’ It has
been suggested that they were so called from the Greek word ἄμμος
“sand.”
[3435] This story he borrows from Herodotus, B. iv. c. 158.
[3436] From the Greek word τρωγλοδύται, “dwellers in caves.” Pliny has
used the term already (B. iv. c. 25) in reference to the nations on
the banks of the Danube. It was a general name applied by the Greek
geographers to various uncivilized races who had no abodes but caves,
and more especially to the inhabitants of the western coasts of the Red
Sea, along the shores of Upper Egypt and Æthiopia.
[3437] At the beginning of C. 4.
[3438] Which gives name to the modern Fezzan.
[3439] Now called Tanet-Mellulen, or the station of Mellulen, on the
route from Gadamez to Oserona.
[3440] Zaouila or Zala, half way between Augyla and Mourzouk.
[3441] Now Gadamez, which, according to Marcus, is situate almost under
the same meridian as Old Tripoli, the ancient Sabrata.
[3442] According to Marcus this range still bears the name of
Gibel-Assoud, which in the Arabic language means the “Black Mountain.”
[3443] In a southerly direction. He alludes probably to the Desert of
Bildulgerid.
[3444] This spring is also mentioned by Pliny in B. ii. c. 106. Marcus
suggests that the Debris of Pliny is the same as the Bedir of Ptolemy.
He also remarks that the English traveller Oudney discovered caverns
hewn out of the sides of the hills, evidently for the purposes of
habitation, but of which the use is not known by the present people.
These he considers to have been the abodes of the ancient Troglodytæ or
“cave-dwellers.” In the Tibesti range of mountains, however, we find a
race called the Rock Tibboos, from the circumstance of their dwelling
in caves.
[3445] Cornelius Balbus Gaditanus the Younger, who, upon his victories
over the Garamantes, obtained a triumph in the year B.C. 19.
[3446] L. Cornelius Balbus the Elder, also a native of Gades. He
obtained the consulship in B.C. 40, the first instance, as we find
mentioned by Pliny, B. vii. c. 44, in which this honour had been
conferred upon one who was not a Roman citizen.
[3447] On the occasion of a triumph by a Roman general, boards were
carried aloft on “fercula,” on which were painted in large letters
the names of vanquished nations and countries. Here too models were
exhibited in ivory or wood of the cities and forts captured, and
pictures of the mountains, rivers, and other great natural features
of the subjugated region, with appropriate inscriptions. Marcus is of
opinion that the names of the places here mentioned do not succeed
in any geographical order, but solely according to their presumed
importance as forming part of the conquest of Balbus. He also thinks
that Balbus did not penetrate beyond the fifteenth degree of north
latitude, and that his conquests did not extend so far south as the
banks of Lake Tchad.
[3448] The site of Garama still bears the name of ‘Gherma,’ and
presents very considerable remains of antiquity. It is four days’
journey north of Mourzouk, the capital of Fezzan.
[3449] Now Tibesti, according to Marcus.
[3450] Marcus suggests that this is probably the Febabo of modern
geographers, to the N.E. of Belma and Tibesti.
[3451] Discera was the Im-Zerah of modern travellers, on the road from
Sockna to Mourzouk, according to Marcus, who is of opinion that the
places which follow were situate at the east and north-east of Thuben
and the Black Mountain.
[3452] Om-El-Abid, to the N.W. of Garama or Gherma, according to
Marcus, and Oudney the traveller.
[3453] The same, Marcus thinks, as the modern Tessava in Fezzan.
[3454] Marcus suggests that this may be the modern Sana.
[3455] The town of Winega mentioned by Oudney, was probably the ancient
Pega, according to Marcus.
[3456] The modern Missolat, according to Marcus, on the route from
Tripoli to Murmuck.
[3457] According to Marcus, this was the Mount Goriano of the English
travellers Denham, Clapperton, and Oudney, where, confirming the
statement here made by Pliny, they found quartz, jasper, onyx, agates,
and cornelians.
[3458] Mentioned by Tacitus, B. iv. c. 50. The town of Œa has been
alluded to by Pliny in C. 4.
[3459] “Past the head of the rock.” Marcus suggests that this is the
Gibel-Gelat or Rock of Gelat spoken of by the English travellers
Denham, Clapperton, and Oudney, forming a portion of the chain of
Guriano or Gyr. He says, that at the foot of this mountain travellers
have to pass from Old and New Tripoli on their road to Missolat, the
Maxala of Pliny, and thence to Gerama or Gherma, the ancient capital of
Fezzan.
[3460] As Marcus observes, this would not make it to extend so far
south as the sixteenth degree of north latitude.
[3461] The Mareotis of the time of the Ptolemies extended from
Alexandria to the Gulf of Plinthinethes; and Libya was properly that
portion of territory which extended from that Gulf to Catabathmos.
Pliny is in error here in confounding the two appellations, or rather,
blending them into one. It includes the eastern portion of the modern
Barca, and the western division of Lower Egypt. It most probably
received its name from the Lake Mareotis, and not the lake from it.
[3462] This was a seaport town on the northern coast of Africa,
probably about eleven or twelve miles west of Parætonium, sometimes
spoken of as belonging to Egypt, sometimes to Marmorica. Scylax places
it at the western boundary of Egypt, on the frontier of the Marmaridæ.
Ptolemy, like Pliny, speaks of it as being in the Libyan Nomos. The
distances given in the MSS. of Pliny of this place from Parætonium are
seventy-two, sixty-two, and twelve miles; the latter is probably the
correct reading, as Strabo, B. xvii., makes the distance 100 stadia. It
is extremely doubtful whether the Apis mentioned by Herodotus, B. ii.
c. 18, can be the same place: but there is little doubt, from the words
of Pliny here, that it was dedicated to the worship of the Egyptian god
Apis, who was represented under the form of a bull.
[3463] Now called Zerbi and Jerba, derived from the name of Girba,
which even in the time of Aurelius Victor, had supplanted that of
Meninx. It is situate in the Gulf of Cabes. According to Solinus, C.
Marius lay in concealment here for some time. It was famous for its
purple. See B. ix. c. 60.
[3464] Now called Kerkéni, Karkenah, or Ramlah.
[3465] Now Gherba. It was reckoned as a mere appendage to Cercina, to
which it was joined by a mole, and which is found often mentioned in
history.
[3466] Still called Lampedusa, off the coast of Tunis. This island,
with Gaulos and Galata, has been already mentioned among the islands
off Sicily; see B. iii. c. 14.
[3467] Now Pantellaria. See B. iii. c. 14.
[3468] A lofty island surrounded by dangerous cliffs, now called
Zowamour or Zembra.
[3469] In the former editions the word “Aræ” is taken to refer to the
Ægimuri, as meaning the same islands. Sillig is however of opinion that
totally distinct groups are meant, and punctuates accordingly. The
“Aræ” were probably mere rocks lying out at sea, which received their
name from their fancied resemblance to altars. They are mentioned by
Virgil in the Æneid, B. i. l. 113, upon which lines Servius says, that
they were so called because there the Romans and the people of Africa
on one occasion made a treaty.
[3470] The greater portion of this Chapter is extracted almost
verbatim from the account given by Mela. Ptolemy seems to place the
Liby-Egyptians to the south of the Greater and Lesser Oasis, on the
route thence to Darfour.
[3471] Or “White Æthiopians,” men though of dark complexion, not
negroes. Marcus is of opinion that the words “intervenientibus
desertis” refer to the tract of desert country lying between the
Leucæthiopians and the Liby-Egyptians, and not to that between the
Gætulians on the one hand and the Liby-Egyptians and the Leucæthiopians
on the other.
[3472] Meaning to the south and the south-east of these three nations,
according to Marcus. Rennel takes the Leucæthiopians to be the present
Mandingos of higher Senegambia: Marcus however thinks that they are the
Azanaghis, who dwell on the edge of the Great Desert, and are not of so
black a complexion as the Mandingos.
[3473] Probably the people of the present Nigritia or Soudan.
[3474] Marcus is of opinion that Pliny does not here refer to the
Joliba of Park and other travellers, as other commentators have
supposed; but that he speaks of the river called Zis by the modern
geographers, and which Jackson speaks of as flowing from the south-east
towards north-west. The whole subject of the Niger is however enwrapped
in almost impenetrable obscurity, and as the most recent inquirers have
not come to any conclusion on the subject, it would be little more than
a waste of time and space to enter upon an investigation of the notions
which Pliny and Mela entertained on the subject.
[3475] From γυμνὸς, “naked.”
[3476] Mentioned in C. 1 of the present Book.
[3477] He refers to the words in the Odyssey, B. i. l. 23, 24.—
Αἰθίοπας τοὶ δίχθα δεδαιάται, ἔσχατοι ἄνδρων·
Οἱ μὲν δυσομένου Ὑπερίονος, οἱ δ’ ἀνιόντος.
“The Æthiopians, the most remote of mankind, are divided into two
parts, the one at the setting of Hyperion, the other at his rising.”
[3478] A tribe of Æthiopia, whose position varied considerably at
different epochs of history. Their predatory and savage habits caused
the most extraordinary reports to be spread of their appearance and
ferocity. The more ancient geographers bring them as far westward as
the region beyond the Libyan Desert, and into the vicinity of the
Oases. In the time however of the Antonines, when Ptolemy was composing
his description of Africa, they appear to the south and east of Egypt,
in the wide and almost unknown tract which lay between the rivers
Astapus and Astobores.
[3479] Mela speaks of this race as situate farthest to the west. The
description of them here given is from Herodotus, B. iv. c. 183-185,
who speaks of them under the name of “Atarantes.”
[3480] The people who are visited by no dreams, are called Atlantes by
Herodotus, the same name by which Pliny calls them. He says that their
territory is ten days’ journey from that of the Atarantes.
[3481] This also is borrowed from Herodotus. As some confirmation of
this account, it is worthy of remark, that the Rock Tibboos of the
present day, who, like the ancient Troglodytæ, dwell in caves, have so
peculiar a kind of speech, that it is compared by the people of Aujelah
to nothing but the whistling of birds. The Troglodytæ of Fezzan are
here referred to, not those of the coasts of the Red Sea.
[3482] Mela says that they look upon the Manes or spirits of the
departed as their only deities.
[3483] This is said, in almost the same words, of the Garamantes,
by Herodotus. The mistake was probably made by Mela in copying from
Herodotus, and continued by Pliny when borrowing from him.
[3484] So called from their supposed resemblance in form to the Satyrs
of the ancient mythology, who were represented as little hairy men with
horns, long ears, and tails. They were probably monkeys, which had been
mistaken for men.
[3485] Half goat, half man. See the Note [3254] relative to Ægipan, in C. 1 of
the present Book, p. 378.
[3486] Evidently intended to be derived from the Greek ἱμὰς “a thong,”
and πόδες “the feet.” It is most probable that the name of a savage
people in the interior bore a fancied resemblance to this word, upon
which the marvellous story here stated was coined for the purpose
of tallying with the name. From a statement in the Æthiopica of
Heliodorus, B. x., Marcus suggests that the story as to the Blemmyæ
having no heads arose from the circumstance, that on the invasion of
the Persians they were in the habit of falling on one knee and bowing
the head to the breast, by which means, without injury to themselves,
they afforded a passage to the horses of the enemy.
[3487] It must be remembered, as already mentioned, that the ancients
looked upon Egypt as forming part of Asia, not of Africa. It seems
impossible to say how this supposition arose, when the Red Sea and the
Isthmus of Suez form so natural and so palpable a frontier between Asia
and Africa.
[3488] It is not improbable that these numbers are incorrectly stated
in the MSS. of our author.
[3489] Parisot remarks that Pliny is in error in this statement. A
considerable part of Lower Egypt lay both on the right and left of
the Delta or island formed by the branches of the Nile. It must be
remembered, however, that our author has already included a portion of
what was strictly Egypt, in his description of Libya Mareotis.
[3490] By reason of its triangular form, Δ.
[3491] The Ombite nome worshipped the crocodile as the emblem of Sebak.
Its capital was Ombos.
[3492] This nome destroyed the crocodile and worshipped the sun. Its
capital was Apollinopolis Magna.
[3493] It worshipped Osiris and his son Orus. The chief town was
Thermonthis.
[3494] Probably the original kingdom of Menes of This, the founder of
the Egyptian monarchy. It worshipped Osiris. Its capital was This,
afterwards called Abydos.
[3495] The nome of Thebes, which was its chief town.
[3496] Its capital was Coptos.
[3497] Its chief town was Tentyra. This nome worshipped Athor or Venus,
Isis, and Typhon. It destroyed the crocodile.
[3498] Perhaps the same as the Panopolite or Chemmite nome, which had
for its chief town Chemmis or Panopolis. It paid divine honours to a
deified hero.
[3499] It probably worshipped Typhon. Its capital was Antæopolis.
[3500] Probably an offshoot from a nome in the Heptanomis of similar
name.
[3501] Dedicated to the worship of the wolf. Its chief town was
Lycopolis. It should be remarked that these names do not appear to be
given by Pliny in their proper geographical order.
[3502] Some of these nomes were inconsiderable and of little
importance. The Bubastite nome worshipped Bubastis, Artemis, or Diana,
of whom it contained a fine temple.
[3503] Its chief town was Tanis. In this nome, according to tradition,
Moses was born.
[3504] Its capital was Athribis, where the shrew-mouse and crocodile
were worshipped.
[3505] The seat of the worship of the dog-headed deity Anubis.
Its capital was Cynopolis; which is to be distinguished from the
Deltic city and other places of that name, as this was a nome of the
Heptanomis or Middle Egypt, to which also the Hammonian nome belonged.
[3506] The border nome of Upper and Middle Egypt.
[3507] Its capital was Pachnamunis. It worshipped a goddess
corresponding to the Greek Leto, or the Latona of the Romans.
[3508] Its capital was Busiris. It worshipped Isis, and at one period
was said to have sacrificed the nomad tribes of Syria and Arabia.
[3509] Its chief town was Onuphis.
[3510] Its chief city was Sais, and it worshipped Neith or Athene, and
contained the tomb and a sanctuary of Osiris.
[3511] Its capital was Tava.
[3512] Its chief town was Naucratis on the coast, the birth-place of
Athenæus, the Deipnosophist. By some authors it is made part of the
Saitic nome. The names given by Pliny vary very considerably from those
found in others of the ancient writers.
[3513] The capital of this nome was Heracleopolis, ‘The city of
Hercules,’ as Pliny calls it, situate, as he says, on an island, at the
entrance of the nome of Arsinoïtes, formed by the Nile and a canal.
After Memphis and Heliopolis, it was probably the most important city
south of the Thebaid. Its ruins are inconsiderable; a portion of them
are to be seen at the modern hamlet of Amasieh.
[3514] He probably means Arsinoë or Arsinoïtis, the chief town of the
nome of that name, and the city so called at the northern extremity
of the Heroöpolite Gulf in the Red Sea. The former is denoted by the
modern district of El-Fayoom, the most fertile of ancient Egypt. At
this place the crocodile was worshipped. The Labyrinth and Lake Mœris
were in this nome. Extensive ruins at Medinet-el-Fayoom, or El-Fares,
represent its site. The modern Ardscherud, a village near Suez,
corresponds to Arsinoë on the Red Sea. There is some little doubt
however whether this last Arsinoë is the one here meant by Pliny.
[3515] Memphis was the chief city of this nome, which was situate
in Middle Egypt, and was the capital of the whole country, and the
residence of the Pharaohs, who succeeded Psammetichus, B.C. 616. This
nome rose in importance on the decline of the kingdom of Thebais,
but was afterwards eclipsed by the progress of Alexandria under the
successors of Alexander the Great.
[3516] At which Middle Egypt terminates.
[3517] They are more generally looked upon as forming one nome only,
and included under the name of Hammonium.
[3518] Its chief town was Heroöpolis, a principal seat of the worship
of Typhon, the evil or destroying genius.
[3519] The same as the nome of Arsinoïtes, the capital of which,
Arsinoë, was originally called Crocodilopolis.
[3520] Now known as Birket-el-Keroum. This was a vast lake on the
western side of the Nile in Middle Egypt, used for the reception and
subsequent distribution of a part of the overflow of the Nile. The
supposition that it was formed by artificial means is now pretty
generally exploded, and it is regarded as of natural formation. It was
situate in the nome of Arsinoïtes or Crocodilopolites. Its length seems
to be overstated by our author, as at the present day it is only thirty
miles in length and five in breadth at the widest part.
[3521] And it is generally supposed that they are so up to the present
day. The ethnographer Jablonski is of opinion that this river derives
its name from the Coptish word _tneialei_ “to rise at stated times.”
Servius, the commentator on Virgil, says that it is derived from the
two Greek words νέα ἰλὺς “fresh mud,” in allusion to the fresh mud
or slime which it leaves after each inundation. Singularly enough,
Champollion prefers this silly etymology to that suggested by Jablonski.
[3522] An interesting disquisition on the probable sources of the Nile,
as viewed by the ancients, is to be found in the Ninth Book of Lucan’s
Pharsalia. The Indian word “_nilas_,” “black,” has also been suggested
as its possible origin.
[3523] What spot is meant under this name, if indeed it is anything
more than the creation of fancy, it is impossible to ascertain with
any degree of precision. It is possible however that the ancients may
have had some knowledge of Lake Tchad, and the Mountains of the Moon,
or Djebel-Kumri, though at the same time it is more than doubtful that
the Nile has its source in either of those localities, the former
especially.
[3524] Perhaps a kind of river lamprey. As to the Coracinus, see B.
ix. c. 24, 32, and B. xxxii. c. 19, 24, 34, 44, and 53; and as to the
Silurus, B. ix. c. 17, 25, and B. xxxii. c. 31, 36, 40, 43, 44, &c.
[3525] The modern Vacur in Northern Africa.
[3526] A district which in reality was at least 1200 or 1500 miles
distant from any part of the Nile, and probably near 3000 from its real
source.
[3527] “Spargit.” It is doubtful whether this word means here “waters,”
or “divides.” Probably however the latter is its meaning.
[3528] This is the third or eastern branch of the river, now known as
the Tacazze. It rises in the highlands of Abyssinia, in about 11° 40′
north lat. and 39° 40′ east long., and joins the main stream of the
Nile, formed by the union of the Abiad and the Azrek, in 17° 45′ north
lat. and about 34° 5′ east long.; the point of junction being the apex
of the island of Meroë, here mentioned by Pliny.
[3529] Possibly by this name he designates the Bahr-el-Abied, or White
River, the main stream of the Nile, the sources of which have not
been hitherto satisfactorily ascertained. The Astapus is supposed to
have been really the name of the Bahr-el-Azrek, or Blue River, the
third branch of the Nile, the sources of which are in the highlands of
Abyssinia, in about 11° 40′ north lat. and 39° 40′ east long.
[3530] Or “side of the water that issues from the shades.” As Hardouin
says, this does not appear to be a very satisfactory explanation.
[3531] Said by Tzetzes to have been derived from the Greek τρίτος,
“the third,” because it had three times changed its name: having been
called, first, the Ocean; secondly, Aëtus, or the Eagle; and thirdly,
Ægyptus.
[3532] Or the “Cataracts,” for which it is the Greek name. The most
northerly of these cataracts, called the First Cataract, is, and always
has been, the southern boundary of Egypt. According to the most recent
accounts, these Cataracts are devoid of any stupendous features, such
as characterize the Falls of Niagara.
[3533] The one now called the First Cataract.
[3534] Seven mouths in ancient times, which have now dwindled down to
two of any importance, the Damietta mouth on the east, and the Rosetta
on the west.
[3535] The Etesians are periodical winds, which blow steadily from one
quarter for forty days each year, during the season of the Dog-days.
The opinion here stated was that promulgated by Thales the philosopher.
Seneca refutes it in B. iv. c. 2. of his Quæst. Nat.
[3536] This was the opinion of Democritus of Abdera, and of
Agatharchidas of Cnidos. It is combated by Diodorus Siculus, B. i., but
it is the opinion most generally received at the present day. See the
disquisition on the subject introduced in the Ninth book of Lucan’s
Pharsalia.
[3537] And that the high tide or inundation would be consequently
continuous as well.
[3538] The principal well for this purpose was called the “Nilometer,”
or “Gauge for the Nile.”
[3539] On this subject see Pliny, B. xviii. c. 47, and B. xxxvi. c. 11.
[3540] Seneca says that the Nile did not rise as usual in the tenth and
eleventh years of the reign of Cleopatra, and that the circumstance was
said to bode ruin to her and Antony.—Nat. Quæst. B. iv. c. 2.
[3541] He means dense clouds, productive of rain, not thin mists. See
what is said of the Borysthenes by our author, B. xxxi. c. 30.
[3542] Syene was a city of Upper Egypt, on the eastern bank of the Nile
just below the First Cataract, and was looked upon as the southern
frontier city of Egypt against Æthiopia. It was an important point in
the geography and astronomy of the ancients; for, lying just under the
tropic of Cancer, it was chosen as the place through which they drew
their chief parallel of latitude. The sun was vertical to Syene at the
time of the summer solstice, and a well was shown there where the face
of the sun was seen at noon at that time. Its present name is Assouan
or Ossouan.
[3543] If this word means the “Camp,” it does not appear to be known
what camp is meant. Most editions have “Cerastæ,” in which case it
would mean that at Syene the Cerastes or horned serpent is found.
[3544] One of these (if indeed Philæ did consist of more than a single
island, which seems doubtful) is now known as Djeziret-el-Birbe, the
“Island of the Temple.”
[3545] This island was seated just below the Lesser Cataract, opposite
Syene, and near the western bank of the Nile. At this point the river
becomes navigable downward to its mouths, and the traveller from
Meroë or Æthiopia enters Egypt Proper. The original name of this
island was “Ebo,” Eb being in the language of hieroglyphics the symbol
of the elephant and ivory. It was remarkable for its fertility and
verdure, and the Arabs of the present day designate the island as
Djesiret-el-Sag, or “the Blooming.”
[3546] This is a mistake of Pliny’s, for it was opposite to Syene.
Brotier thinks that Pliny intended to write ‘Philæ,’ but by mistake
inserted Syene.
[3547] Artemidorus, Juba, and Aristocreon.
[3548] They were probably made of papyrus, or else of hides, like the
British coracles.
[3549] The last king of the line of Psammetichus, B.C. 569. He
succeeded Apries, whom the Egyptians put to death. He died just before
the invasion by Cambyses, having displayed great abilities as a ruler.
[3550] There was the Greater Apollinopolis, the modern Edfoo, in the
Thebaid, on the western bank of the Nile, in lat. 25° north, about
thirteen miles below the lesser Cataract: its inhabitants were enemies
of the crocodile and its worshippers. The remains of two temples there
are considered second only to the temple of Denderah as specimens of
the sacred structures of Egypt. A Lesser Apollinopolis was in Upper
Egypt, on the western bank of the Nile, in lat. 27° north. Another
Lesser Apollinopolis was a town of the Thebaid in the Coptite Nome, in
lat. 26° north, situate between Thebes and Coptos. It was situate at
the present Kuss.
[3551] Its site is unknown. Hardouin suggests that it is the Eilethuia
of Ptolemy, the modern El-Kab.
[3552] “City of Jupiter,” the Greek name for Thebes, the No or No Ammon
of Scripture. It stood in the centre of the Thebaid, on both banks of
the Nile, above Coptos, and in the Nomos Coptites. Its ruins, which are
the most magnificent in the world, enclose within their site the four
villages of Carnac, Luxor, Medinet Abou, and Gournou.
[3553] Its hieroglyphical name was Kobto, and its site is now occupied
by the modern town of Kouft or Keft. It was situate in lat. 26°
north, on the right bank of the Nile, about a mile from its banks.
As a halting place or rather watering-place for the caravans, it was
enriched by the commerce between Libya and Egypt on the one hand, and
Arabia and India and Egypt on the other, the latter being carried
on through the port of Berenice on the Red Sea, founded by Ptolemy
Philadelphus, B.C. 266. In the seventh century of the Christian era, it
bore for some time the name of Justinianopolis. There are a few remains
of Roman buildings to be seen on its site.
[3554] Also called Aphrodite or Aphroditopolis. Of this name there
were several towns or cities in ancient Egypt. In Lower Egypt there
was Atarbechis, thus named, and a town mentioned by Strabo in the
nome of Leontopolites. In the Heptanomis or Middle Egypt there was
the place, the ruins of which are called Aftyeh, on the east side of
the Nile, and the capital of the nome of Aphroditopolites. In Upper
Egypt or the Thebais there was the present Tachta, on the west side of
the Nile, between Ptolemais and Panopolis, capital of another nome of
Aphroditopolites, and that one the ruins of which are now called Deir,
on the west bank of the Nile, higher up than the former, and, like it,
some distance from the river. It was situate in the nome Hermonthites.
[3555] Another Diospolis. Great Diospolis is mentioned in the preceding
page.
[3556] Or Tentyra. The modern Dendera of the Arabs, called Dendôri or
Hidendôri by the ancient Egyptians.
[3557] In ancient times called This, and in Coptic Ebôt, the ruins of
which are now known as Arábat-el-Matfoon. It was the chief town of the
Nomos Thinites, and was situate in lat. 26° 10′ north and long. 32° 3′
east. In the Thebaid it ranked next to Thebes itself. Here according to
general belief was the burial-place of Osiris. In the time of Strabo it
had sunk into a mere village. Its ruins, though nearly buried in the
sand, are very extensive. There is, however, some uncertainty as to the
exact identity of This with Abydus.
[3558] The ruins of these places are still to be seen at Abydus.
[3559] He calls the whole of the country on the western bank of the
Nile by this name.
[3560] Called Absou or Absaï by the Arabs, and Psoë by the ancient
Egyptians. It has been suggested that it was the same place as This,
more generally identified with Abydus.
[3561] Its site is now called Ekhmin or Akhmin by the Arabs, Khmim
being its ancient Egyptian name. It was the chief town of the nome of
Panopolites, and the deity Phthah was worshipped there under the form
of Priapus.
[3562] Another Aphroditopolis, the present Tachta, mentioned above, in
Note[3554] in the last page. Pliny distinguishes it from that now called
Deir, mentioned above.
[3563] Now known as Es-Siout.
[3564] Or Hermopolis—the modern Esh-moon or Ash-mounion, on the eastern
bank of the Nile, in lat. 27° 54′ north. It was the capital of the
Hermopolite nome in the Heptanomis. It was a place of great opulence
and densely populated. The deities Typhon and Thoth were principally
worshipped at this place. The latter, the inventor of the pen and
letters, nearly corresponded with the Hermes of the Greeks (the Mercury
of the Romans), from which the Hellenized name of the place. Its ruins
are very extensive.
[3565] This town was no doubt connected with the alabaster quarries
of Mount Alabasternus, now Mount St. Anthony, and the hill of
Alabastrites, now the Côteau Hessan.
[3566] Or Cynopolis, the chief place of the Cynopolite nome. The
Dog-headed deity Anubis was worshipped here. The modern Samallus
occupies its site. This place was in the Heptanomis, but there were
several other towns of the same name, one of which was situate in the
Delta or Lower Egypt.
[3567] In C. 9, when speaking of the nome of Heracleopolites; of which
nome, this place, called Heracleopolis, was the capital. It was situate
at the entrance of the valley of the Fayoum, on an island formed by
the Nile and a canal. After Memphis and Heliopolis it was probably the
most important city north of the Thebaid. It furnished two dynasties of
kings to Egypt. The ichneumon was worshipped here, from which it may be
inferred that the people were hostile to the crocodile. Its ruins are
inconsiderable; the village of Anasieh covers part of them.
[3568] The capital of the nome of Arsinoïtes, seated on the western
bank of the Nile, between the river and Lake Mœris, south-west of
Memphis, in lat. 29° north. It was called under the Pharaohs, “the City
of Crocodiles,” from the reverence paid by the people to that animal.
Its ruins are to be seen at Medinet-el-Fayoom or El-Fares.
[3569] Its magnificent ruins, known by the name of Menf and Metrabenny,
are to be seen about ten miles above the pyramids of Gizeh.
[3570] This lay beyond Lake Mœris, or Birket-el-Keroun, at a short
distance from the city of Arsinoë. It had 3000 apartments, 1500 of
which were underground. The accounts given by modern travellers of its
supposed ruins do not agree with what we have learned from the ancients
respecting its architecture and site. The purposes for which it was
built are unknown. Its supposed site is called Havara.
[3571] If this is not an abbreviation or corruption for Crocodilon, as
Hardouin suggests, it may probably mean the “town of Rams,” from the
worship perhaps of that animal there.
[3572] Heliopolis or Rameses. In Scripture it is called by the names of
On and No—Gen. xli. 45 and Ezek. xxx. 15. It stood on the eastern side
of the Pelusiac arm of the Nile, near the right bank of the Great Canal
which connected the river with the Red Sea, and close adjoining to
the present overland route for travellers to India. It was one of the
most ancient of the Egyptian cities; here the father-in-law of Joseph
exercised the office of high-priest, and here the prophet Jeremiah is
supposed to have written his Book of Lamentations. Its priests were the
great depositaries of the theological and historical learning of Egypt.
Solon, Thales, and Plato were reputed each to have visited its schools.
According to Macrobius, Baalbec, the Syrian City of the Sun, was a
colony from this place. It was the capital of the nome Heliopolites,
and paid worship to the sun and the bull Mnevis, the rival of Apis.
From Josephus we learn that after the dispersion and fall of the tribes
of Judah and Israel, great numbers of the Jews took refuge at this
place, forming almost one-half of its population. The ruins, which
were extremely magnificent, occupied in the twelfth century an area
nearly three miles in extent. Pliny speaks of the great obelisk there,
which is still standing. (See B. xxxvi. c. 9.) The village of Matarieh
occupies a part of its site, and besides the obelisk of red granite,
there are a few remains of the Temple of the Sun.
[3573] Now called Birk-el-Mariout.
[3574] Or Dinocrates. He was the architect of the new temple of Diana
at Ephesus, which was built after the destruction of the former one
by Herostratus. It was this architect who formed a design for cutting
Mount Athos into a statue of Alexander, with a city in the right hand
and a reservoir of the mountain streams in the left.
[3575] Holland seems to think that the word “laxitate” applies to
chlamys.
[3576] The _chlamys_ was a scarf or cloak worn over the shoulders, and
especially used by military persons of high rank. It did not reach
lower than the knees, and was open in front, covering only the neck,
back, and shoulders.
[3577] Its real dimensions were something less than 300 stadia, or
thirty geographical miles long, and rather more than 150 stadia wide.
[3578] Or “Pseudostomata.” These were crossed in small boats, as they
were not navigable for ships of burden.
[3579] In the Pharaonic times Canopus was the capital of the nome of
Menelaïtes, and the principal harbour of the Delta. It probably owed
its name to the god Canobus, a pitcher full of holes, with a human
head, which was worshipped here with peculiar pomp. It was remarkable
for the number of its festivals and the general dissoluteness of its
morals. Traces of its ruins are to be seen about three miles from the
modern Aboukir.
[3580] Corresponding to the modern Raschid or Rosetta. It is supposed
that this place was noted for its manufactory of chariots.
[3581] The town of Sebennys or Sebennytum, now Samannoud, gave name to
one of the nomes, and the Sebennytic Mouth of the Nile.
[3582] Or the Pathinetic or Bucolic Mouth, said to be the same as the
modern Damietta Mouth.
[3583] The capital of the Mendesian nome, called by the Arabs Ochmoun.
This mouth is now known as the Deibeh Mouth.
[3584] Now called Szan or Tzan. The Tanitic Mouth, which is sometimes
called the Saitic, is at the present day called Omm-Faredjé.
[3585] Its ruins are to be seen at the modern Tineh. This city in early
times had the name of Abaris. It was situate on the eastern side of
the most easterly mouth of the Nile, which, after it, was called the
Pelusiac Mouth, about two miles from the sea, in the midst of morasses.
Being the frontier city towards Syria and Arabia it was strongly
fortified. It was the birth-place of Ptolemy the geographer.
[3586] Butos or Buto stood on the Sebennytic arm of the Nile near its
mouth, on the southern shores of the Butic Lake. It was the chief seat
of the worship of the goddess Buto, whom the Greeks identified with
Leto or Latona. The modern Kem Kasir occupies its site.
[3587] Called Harbait by the Arabs, and Farbait by the ancient
Egyptians.
[3588] In the Delta. It was the capital of the nome of Leontopolites,
and probably of late foundation, as no writer previous to Pliny
mentions it. Its site is uncertain, but Thall-Essabouah, the “Hill of
the Lion,” has been suggested.
[3589] The chief town of the Athribitic nome in Lower Egypt. It
stood on the eastern bank of the Tanitic branch of the Nile. This
nome and town derived their name from the goddess Thriphis, whom the
inscriptions there and at Panopolis designate as the “most great
goddess.” The ruins at Atrieb or Trieb, at the spot where the modern
canal of Moueys turns off from the Nile, represent the ancient
Athribis. They are very extensive, and among them are considerable
remains of the Roman era.
[3590] This was situate near the city or town of Busiris in the Delta.
The modern village of Bahbeyt is supposed to cover the ruins of the
temple of Isis.
[3591] The modern Busyr or Abousir, where considerable ruins of the
ancient city are still to be seen. It was the chief town of the nome of
Busirites, and stood south of Sais, near the Phatnitic mouth, on the
western bank of the Nile. This was also the name of a town in Middle
Egypt, in the neighbourhood of Memphis, and represented by another
village of the name of Abousir. Pliny, B. xxxvi. c. 16, speaks of the
Catacombs in its vicinity.
[3592] The place of that name in the Delta is here meant.
[3593] Probably the town of that name, otherwise called Aphroditopolis,
in the nome of Leontopolites.
[3594] The ruins of which are now called Sa-el-Hajjar. It was situate
in the Delta, on the east side of the Canopic branch of the Nile. It
was the ancient capital of Lower Egypt and contained the palace and
burial-place of the Pharaohs. It was the chief seat of the worship of
the Egyptian goddess Neith, also known as Sais. It gave its name to the
nome of Saïtes.
[3595] It was situate in the Delta of Egypt and in the nome of Saïtes,
on the eastern bank of the Canopic branch of the Nile. It was a colony
of the Milesians, founded probably in the reign of Amasis, about B.C.
550, and remained a pure Greek city. It was the only place in Egypt in
which, in the time of the later Pharaohs, foreigners were permitted
to settle and trade. In later times it was famous for the worship of
Aphrodite or Venus, and rivalled Canopus in the dissoluteness of its
manners.
[3596] Ptolemy the geographer does this.
[3597] Arabia Petræa; that part of Arabia which immediately joins up to
Egypt.
[3598] Called Arabia Felix to the present day.
[3599] The part of Arabia which joins up to Egypt, Arabia Petræa namely.
[3600] Strabo places this people as far south as the mouth of the Red
Sea, _i. e._ on the east of the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb. Forster (in
his ‘Arabia,’ vol. ii.) takes this name to be merely an inversion of
Beni Kahtan, the great tribe which mainly peoples, at the present day,
central and southern Arabia.
[3601] Probably the people of Esebon, the Heshbon of Scripture, spoken
of by Jerome as being the city of Sihon, king of the Amorites.
[3602] The “tent-people,” from the Greek σκηνὴ, “a tent.” This seems
to have been a name common to the nomadic tribes of Arabia. Ammianus
Marcellinus speaks of them as being the same as the Saraceni or
Saracens.
[3603] The modern El Katieh or El Kas; which is the summit of a lofty
range of sandstone hills on the borders of Egypt and Arabia Petræa,
immediately south of the Sirbonian Lake and the Mediterranean Sea. On
its western side was the tomb of Pompey the Great.
[3604] The same as the Amalekites of Scripture, according to Hardouin.
Bochart thinks that they are the same as the Chavilæi, who are
mentioned as dwelling in the vicinity of Babylon.
[3605] The position which Pliny assigns to this nation would correspond
with the northern part of the modern district of the Hedjaz. Forster
identifies them with the Cauraitæ, or Cadraitæ of Arrian, and the Darræ
of Ptolemy, tracing their origin to the Cedar or Kedar, the son of
Ishmael, mentioned in Genesis xxv. 13, and represented by the modern
Harb nation and the modern town of Kedeyre. See Psalm cxx. 5: “Woe is
me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!”
[3606] An Arabian people, said to have descended from the eldest son
of Ishmael, who had their original abodes in the north-western part
of the Arabian peninsula, east and south-east of the Moabites and
Edomites. Extending their territory, we find the Nabatæi of Greek and
Roman history occupying nearly the whole of Arabia Petræa, along the
north-east coast of the Red Sea, on both sides of the Ælanitic Gulf,
and on the Idumæan mountains, where they had their capital, Petra, hewn
out of the rock.
[3607] Now the Bahr-el-Soueys, or Gulf of Suez.
[3608] The Bahr-el-Akabah, or Gulf of Akabah.
[3609] Now Akabah, an Idumæan town of Arabia Petræa, situate at the
head of the eastern gulf of the Red Sea, which was called after this
town “Ælaniticus Sinus.” It was annexed to the kingdom of Judah, with
the other cities of Idumæa, by David, 2 Sam. viii. 14, and was one of
the harbours on the Red Sea from which the ships of Solomon sailed for
Ophir. See 1 Kings ix. 26 and 2 Chron. viii. 17. It was a place of
commercial importance under the Romans and the head-quarters of the
Tenth Legion. A fortress now occupies its site.
[3610] Its site is now known as Guzzah. It was the last city on the
south-west frontier of Palestine, and from the earliest times was a
strongly fortified place. It was taken from the Philistines by the Jews
more than once, but as often retaken. It was also taken by Cyrus the
Great and Alexander, and afterwards by Ptolemy Lagus, who destroyed it.
It afterwards recovered, and was again destroyed by Alexander Jannæus,
B.C. 96, after which, it was rebuilt by Gabinius and ultimately united
to the Roman province of Syria. In A.D. 65 it was again destroyed, but
was rebuilt, and finally fell into the hands of the Arabs, in A.D. 634.
[3611] Meaning the Mediterranean.
[3612] The present Suez. See B. vi. c. 33.
[3613] Or the “Hollow” Syria. This was properly the name given, after
the Macedonian conquest, to the great valley between the two great
ranges of Mount Lebanon, in the south of Syria, bordering upon Phœnicia
on the west, and Palestine on the south. In the wars between the
Ptolemies and the Seleucidæ, the name was applied to the whole of the
southern portion of Syria, which became subject for some time to the
kings of Egypt; but under the Romans, it was confined to Cœlesyria
proper with the district east of Anti-Libanus, about Damascus, and a
portion of Palestine east of Jordan.
[3614] Or Ostracine, the northern point of Arabia.
[3615] This was a great fortress of Syria founded by Seleucus B.C. 300,
at the foot of Mount Pieria and overhanging the Mediterranean, four
miles north of the Orontes and twelve miles west of Antioch. It had
fallen entirely to decay in the sixth century of our era. There are
considerable ruins of its harbour and mole, its walls and necropolis.
They bear the name of Seleukeh or Kepse.
[3616] From the Greek ζεῦγμα, “a junction;” built by Seleucus Nicator
on the borders of Commagene and Cyrrhestice, on the west bank of the
Euphrates, where the river had been crossed by a bridge of boats
constructed by Alexander the Great. The modern Rumkaleh is supposed to
occupy its site.
[3617] On this subject see B. vii. c. 57. The invention of letters and
the first cultivation of the science of astronomy have been claimed for
the Egyptians and other nations. The Tyrians were probably the first
who applied the science of astronomy to the purposes of navigation.
There is little doubt that warfare must have been studied as an art
long before the existence of the Phœnician nation.
[3618] Strabo places this between Mount Casius and Pelusium.
[3619] See C. 12 of the present Book. Chabrias the Athenian aided
Nectanebus II. against his revolted subjects.
[3620] Its ruins are to be seen on the present Ras Straki.
[3621] Now called the Sabakat Bardowal. It lay on the coast of Egypt,
east of Mount Casius, and it is not improbable that the boundary-line
between Egypt and Palæstina or Idumæa ran through the middle of its
waters. It was strongly impregnated with asphaltus. A connection
formerly existed between it and the Mediterranean, but this being
stopped up, it gradually grew smaller by evaporation and is now nearly
dry.
[3622] The present Kulat-el-Arich or El Arish, situate at the mouth
of the brook El-Arish, called by the Scriptures the “river of Egypt.”
Its name signifies in Greek, “cutting off of noses,” and is probably
derived from the fact of its having been the place of exile for
criminals who had been so mutilated, under the Æthiopian kings of
Egypt. Poinsinet suggests however that the name means the “town of the
circumcised.”
[3623] The place on its site is still called Refah, but it was really
situate on the coast. Gaza has been already mentioned in a Note [3610]
to C. 12, p. 423.
[3624] Anthedon was on the coast of Palestine, although Pliny says to
the contrary. It was situate about three miles to the south-west of
Gaza, and was destroyed by Alexander Jannæus. In the time of Julian it
was addicted to the worship of Astarte, the Syrian Venus. According to
Dupinet the present name of its site is Daron.
[3625] Brotier says that this is the same as the Mount Gerizim of
Scripture, but that was situate in Samaria, a considerable distance
from the southern coast of Palæstina. Pliny is the only author that
mentions it.
[3626] The Ascalon of Scripture, one of the five cities of the
Philistines, situate on the coast of the Mediterranean, between Gaza
and Jamnia. In early times it was the seat of the worship of Derceto,
a fish with a woman’s head. The ruins, which still bear the name of
Askulân, are very extensive, and indicative of great strength. The
shalot or scallion was originally a native of this place, and thence
derived its name.
[3627] The Ashdod of Scripture. It was one of the five cities of the
Philistines and the chief seat of the worship of Dagon. Herodotus
states that it stood a siege of twenty-nine years from Psammetichus,
king of Egypt. It was afterwards taken and retaken several times. It
was situate between Ascalon and Jamnia, and its site is indicated by
the modern village of Esdad, but no ruins of the ancient city are
visible.
[3628] One of these was a city of the Philistines, assigned to the
tribe of Judah in the fifteenth Chapter of Joshua, 45, according to the
Septuagint version, but omitted in the Hebrew, which only mentions it
in 2 Chron. xxvi. 6 (where it is called Jabneh in the English version),
as one of the cities of the Philistines taken and destroyed by King
Uzziah. The place of this name that lay in the interior, is probably
the one spoken of by Josephus as in that part of the tribe of Judah
occupied by the children of Dan, as also in the 1 Maccabees, x. 69-71.
The one was probably the port of the other. The ruins of the port still
retain the name of Yebora, and are situate on an eminence about an
hour’s distance from the sea, on the banks of the river Rûbin.
[3629] Or Joppa of Scripture, now called Yâfa or Jaffa. The timber
from Lebanon intended for both the first and second Temples was landed
here. It was taken and retaken more than once during the wars of the
Maccabees, and was finally annexed by Pompey to the Roman province of
Syria. It is mentioned several times in the New Testament in connection
with Saint Peter. In the Jewish war, having become a refuge for
pirates, it was taken by Cestius and destroyed, and even the very ruins
were demolished by Vespasian. It was afterwards rebuilt, and in the
time of the Crusades was alternately in the hands of the Christians and
the Moslems.
[3630] To be devoured by the sea monster, from which she was delivered
by Perseus, who had borrowed for the occasion the _talaria_ or winged
shoes of Mercury. In B. ix. c. 4, Pliny states that the skeleton of the
monster was exhibited at Rome by M. Æmilius Scaurus, when he was Curule
Ædile.
[3631] Probably the same as Derceto or Atargatis, the fish-goddess with
a woman’s head, of the Syrians.
[3632] Situate between Cæsarea and Joppa. It is probable that it owed
its name to the Macedonian kings of either Egypt or Syria. Arsûf, a
deserted village, but which itself was of considerable importance in
the time of the Crusades, represents the ancient Apollonia.
[3633] The site of the Turris Stratonis was afterwards occupied by
Cæsarea, a city on the coast, founded by Herod the Great, and named
Cæsarea in honour of Augustus Cæsar. It was renowned for the extent
and magnificence of its harbour, which was secured by a breakwater of
stupendous construction. For some time it was considered the principal
city of Palestine and the chief seat of the Roman government. Although
it again changed its name, as Pliny states, it still retained its name
of Cæsarea as the Metropolitan See of the First Palestine. It was also
of considerable importance during the occupation of the Holy Land by
the Crusaders. Its ruins are still visible, but have served as a quarry
for many generations, and Jaffa, Sidon, Acre and Beyrout have been
supplied with stones from this site. Massive remains of its mole or
breakwater and its towers still exist.
[3634] Or Phœnicia.
[3635] By some regarded as the Scriptural town of Sichem, but by others
as a distinct place, though in its immediate vicinity. Its present
name is Naplous or Nabolos, situate between Mounts Ebal and Gerizim.
Its proper name under the Romans was Flavia Neapolis. It was the
birth-place of Justin Martyr.
[3636] The city of Samaria, so called from Shemer, the owner of the
hill which Omri, King of Israel, purchased, about B.C. 922, for its
site. Herod greatly renovated this city, which he called Sebaste, in
honour of his patron Augustus, in Greek “Sebastos.” Its site is now
occupied by a poor village, which bears the name of Sebustieh.
[3637] A town of Palæstina, frequently mentioned by Josephus as
remarkable for the strength of its fortifications, and situate on the
Lake Tiberias, opposite to Tarichæa. After a spirited defence, it was
taken by Vespasian, who slaughtered 4000 of the survivors, upon which
5000 threw themselves from the walls, and were dashed to pieces below.
The site had been forgotten for nearly eighteen centuries, when Lord
Lindsay discovered it on a lofty hill on the east of Lake Tiberias, and
nearly opposite the town of that name. It is now called El-Hossn, and
the ruins of the fortifications are very extensive.
[3638] Antiochian Syria.
[3639] Peræa was the general name of that part of Palæstina which lay
east of the river Jordan; but more usually, in a restricted sense, it
signified a part only of that region, namely the district between the
rivers Hieromax on the north, and Arnon on the south.
[3640] Jericho, so often mentioned in Scripture. It was celebrated for
its palm-grove, which was presented by Antony to Cleopatra. A Bedouin
encampment called Riha is all that now occupies its site.
[3641] A city eight or ten miles from the village Emmaüs of the New
Testament. It was called Nicopolis, in commemoration, it has been
suggested, of the destruction of Jerusalem. Its site is still marked by
a village called Ammious, on the road from Jerusalem to Jaffa.
[3642] So often mentioned in the New Testament. This town lay to the
S.E. of Joppa, and N.W. of Jerusalem, at the junction of several roads
which lead from the sea-coast. It was destroyed by the Romans in the
Jewish war, but was soon after rebuilt, and called Diospolis. A village
called Lud occupies its site.
[3643] So called from Acrabbim, its chief town, situate nine miles from
Nicopolis. The toparchy of Acrabbim, which formerly formed part of
Samaria, was the most northerly of those of Judæa.
[3644] Situate in the country of Benjamin. Josephus reckons it second
in importance only to Jerusalem, from which, according to Eusebius,
it was distant fifteen miles, on the road to the modern Nablous. That
author also identifies it with the Eshcol of Scripture. Its site is
marked by a small Christian village, called by the natives Jufna.
[3645] Like the two preceding ones, this toparchy for a long time
belonged to Samaria. Thamna, or Thamnis, was the Timnath-Serah in Mount
Ephraim, mentioned in Joshua xix. 50, and xxiv. 30, as the place where
Joshua was buried.
[3646] The toparchy of Bethleptepha of other authors. It appears to
have been situate in the south of Judæa, and in that part which is by
Josephus commonly called Idumæa. Reland has remarked, that the name
resembles Beth-lebaoth, a city of the tribe of Simeon, mentioned in
Joshua xix. 6.
[3647] From the Greek, meaning the “mountain district,” or the “hill
country,” as mentioned in Luke i. 39.
[3648] Or “Sacred Solyma.”
[3649] A fortress of Palæstina, erected by Herod the Great, at a
distance of about sixty stadia from Jerusalem, and not far from Tekoa.
Its site has been identified by modern travellers with El-Furedis,
or the Paradise; probably the same as the spot called the “Frank
Mountain,” on the top of which the ruined walls of the fortress are
still to be seen.
[3650] Called by the Arabs Bahr-el-Arden.
[3651] Situate on Mount Panias, or Paneas, on the range of Anti-Libanus.
[3652] In C. 16 of the present Book.
[3653] On the contrary, as Parisot observes, the Jordan runs in a
straight line almost into the Dead Sea.
[3654] The Lake of Sodom, or the Dead Sea, in which the Cities of the
Plain were swallowed up.
[3655] In Scripture also called the Lake Tiberias, and the Sea of
Gennesareth, or Chinnereth. It is now called the Sea of Tabariah, or
Tabarieh.
[3656] The one of the two Bethsaidas, which was situate on the north
of the Sea of Tiberias. It was enlarged by Philip the Tetrarch, who
greatly beautified it, and changed its name to Julias, in honour of the
daughter of Augustus, the wife of Tiberius. It is generally supposed by
the learned world, that this was not the Bethsaida mentioned so often
in the New Testament. Its ruins are probably those now seen on a hill
called Et-Tell, on the north-western extremity of the lake.
[3657] On the east of the lake. From it the district of Hippene took
its name.
[3658] Its ruins are to be seen at El-Kereh, on the south side of the
lake. It was strongly fortified, and made a vigorous resistance against
the Romans in the Jewish War. It received its name from the great
quantities of fish which were salted there, τάριχοι.
[3659] Now Tabariah, or Tabarieh, a miserable village. It was built by
Herod Antipas, in honour of the Emperor Tiberius. After the destruction
of Jerusalem, it became the seat of the Jewish Sanhedrin.
[3660] These hot springs are by Josephus called Emmaüs, probably a form
of the Hebrew name Hammath. Dr. Robinson, in his Biblical Researches,
identifies this with the town of Hammath, of the tribe of Naphthali,
mentioned in Joshua xix. 35.
[3661] From the Greek ἄσφαλτος.
[3662] This is an exaggeration, though it is the fact that many heavy
substances, which in ordinary water would sink immediately, will float
on the surface of this lake. It has been suggested, that the story
here mentioned arose from the circumstance of the name of ‘bulls,’ or
‘cows,’ having been applied by the ancient Nabatæi to the large masses
of asphaltum which floated on its surface.
[3663] The country of the Arabian Scenitæ, or “tent people.”
[3664] It lay on the east of the Dead Sea, and not the south, as here
mentioned by Pliny, being a border fortress in the south of Peræa, and
on the confines of the Nabatæi. There was a tradition that it was at
this place that John the Baptist was beheaded. The city now bears the
name of Mascra.
[3665] A Greek name, signifying the “Fine Stream.” These were warm
springs, situate on the eastern side of Jordan, to which Herod
the Great resorted during his last illness, by the advice of his
physicians. The valley of Callirhoë was visited by Captains Irby and
Mangles in 1818, and an interesting account of it is to be found in
their ‘Travels,’ pp. 467-469. The waters are sulphureous to the taste.
[3666] The Essenes, or Hessenes. These properly formed one of the
great sects into which the Jews were divided in the time of Christ.
They are not mentioned by name in the New Testament, but it has been
conjectured that they are alluded to in Matt. xix. 12, and Col. ii.
18, 23. As stated here by Pliny, they generally lived at a distance
from large towns, in communities which bore a great resemblance to the
monkish societies of later times. They sent gifts to the Temple at
Jerusalem, but never offered sacrifices there. They were divided into
four classes, according to the time of their initiation. Their origin
is uncertain. Some writers look upon them as the same as the Assidians,
or Chasidim, mentioned in 1 Maccabees, ii. 42, vii. 13. Their principal
society was probably the one mentioned by Pliny, and from this other
smaller ones proceeded, and spread over Palestine, Syria, and Egypt.
The Essenes of Egypt were divided into two sects; the _practical_
Essenes, whose mode of life was the same as those of Palestine; and
the _contemplative_ Essenes, who were called _Therapeutæ_. Both sects
maintained the same doctrines; but the latter were distinguished by a
more rigid mode of life. It has been suggested by Taylor, the editor of
‘Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible,’ that John the Baptist belonged to
this sect.
[3667] Or Engedi. Its ancient name was Hazezon-Tamar, when it was
inhabited by the Amorites. See Gen. xiv. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 2. According
to Josephus, it gave name to one of the fifteen toparchies of Judæa. It
still retains its name, Ain-Jedey, or “Fountain of the Goats,” and was
so called from a spring which issued out of the limestone rock at the
base of a lofty cliff.
[3668] Its site is now known as Sebbeh, on the south-west of the Dead
Sea.
[3669] Δεκὰ πολεῖς, the “Ten Cities.” He alludes to the circumstance,
that the number of cities varied from time to time in this district;
one being destroyed in warfare, and others suddenly rising from its
foundation.
[3670] The capital city of Syria, both in ancient and modern times.
It is now called Es-Sham. The only epithet given to it by the ancient
poets is that of “ventosa,” or “windy,” found in the Pharsalia of
Lucan, B. iii. l. 215, which, it has been remarked, is anything but
appropriately chosen.
[3671] Or the “Golden River.” It is uncertain whether this was the
Abana or Pharpar, mentioned in 2 Kings v. 12. Strabo remarks, that the
waters of the Chrysorroös “are almost entirely consumed in irrigation,
as it waters a large extent of deep soil.”
[3672] The ancient Rabbath Ammon, a city of the Ammonites. It was
afterwards called Astarte, and then Philadelphia, in honour of Ptolemy
Philadelphus. According to D’Anville, the present name of its site is
Amman.
[3673] Thirty-three miles from Apamea. Its ruins are probably those
mentioned by Abulfeda under the name of Rafaniat. William of Tyre says,
that it was taken in the year 1125 by the Count of Tripoli.
[3674] Previously called Beth-shan. It was the next city of the
Decapolis in magnitude after Damascus. It was situate in the land of
the tribe of Issachar, though it belonged to the Manasites. At this
place the bodies of Saul and his sons were hung up by the Philistines;
see 1 Sam. xxxi. 10-12. Reland suggests that it received the name of
Scythopolis, not from a Scythian colony, but from the Succoth of Gen.
xxxiii. 17, which appears to have been in its vicinity. Its ruins,
which still bear the name of Baisan, are very extensive.
[3675] Called by Josephus the capital of Peræa, and the chief place of
the district of the Gadarenes of the Evangelists. Its ruins, about six
miles south-east of the Sea of Galilee, are very extensive.
[3676] Still called the Yarmak, evidently from its ancient name. Hippo
has been mentioned in the last Chapter.
[3677] Or Dium, between Pella and Gadara. In later times, this place
was included in Roman Arabia.
[3678] Also called Butis. It was the most southerly of the ten cities
which comprised the Decapolis, standing about five miles south of
Scythopolis, or Beth-shan. Its exact site seems not to have been
ascertained; but it has been suggested that it is the modern El-Bujeh.
From the expression used by Pliny, it would appear to have had mineral
waters in its vicinity.
[3679] Of this place nothing is known; but it is most probable that
the _Gerasa_ of Ptolemy and Josephus is meant. According to the former
writer, it was thirty-five miles from Pella. Its site is marked by
extensive ruins, thirty-five miles east of the Jordan, known by the
name of Gerash, and on the borders of the Great Desert of the Hauvan.
According to Dr. Keith, the ruins bear extensive marks of splendour.
[3680] Ptolemy mentions a city of this name in Cœlesyria.
[3681] So called from having been originally groups of four
principalities, held by princes who were vassals to the Roman emperors,
or the kings of Syria.
[3682] Containing the northern district of Palestine, beyond the
Jordan, between Antilibanus and the mountains of Arabia. It was bounded
on the north by the territory of Damascus, on the east by Auranitis, on
the south by Ituræa, and on the west by Gaulanitis. It was so called
from its ranges of rocky mountains, or τραχῶνες, the caves in which
gave refuge to numerous bands of robbers.
[3683] So called from the mountain of that name. Cæsarea Philippi also
bore the name of Panias. It was situate at the south of Mount Hermon,
on the Jordan, just below its source. It was built by Philip the
Tetrarch, B.C. 3. King Agrippa called it Neronias; but it soon lost
that name.
[3684] In C. xiv. of the present Book, as that in which the Jordan
takes its rise.
[3685] A place of great strength in Cœle-Syria, now known as Nebi Abel,
situate between Heliopolis and Damascus.
[3686] Situate between Tripolis and Antaradus, at the north-west foot
of Mount Libanus. It lay within a short distance of the sea, and
was famous for the worship paid by its inhabitants to Astarte, the
Syrian Aphrodite. A temple was erected here to Alexander the Great,
in which Alexander Severus, the Roman Emperor, was born, his parents
having resorted thither to celebrate a festival, A.D. 205. From this
circumstance, its name was changed to Cæsarea. Burckhardt fixes its
site at a hill called Tel-Arka.
[3687] Of this place, which probably took its name from its numerous
vines, nothing whatever is known.
[3688] Called by Pliny, in B. xii. c. 41, Gabba. It was situate at the
foot of Mount Carmel between Cæsarea and Ptolemais, sixteen miles from
the former. No remains of it are to be seen. It must not be confounded
with Gabala, in Galilee, fortified by Herod the Great.
[3689] The town was situate between Cæsarea and Ptolemais. The river
has been identified with the modern Nahi-el-Zerka, in which, according
to Pococke, crocodiles have been found.
[3690] Called Dor, before the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites.
See Joshua xvii. 11, and Judges i. 27. It afterwards belonged to the
half-tribe of Manasseh. Its site is now called Tortura.
[3691] Its site is now called Atlik, according to D’Anville. Parisot
suggests that it is the modern Keufah; others that it is Hepha, near
Mount Carmel.
[3692] Insignificant in height and extent, but celebrated in Scripture
history. It still bears the name of Cape Carmel.
[3693] It is not improbable that he means the town of Porphyrium, now
Khaifa, at the foot of the mountain.
[3694] Probably the Gitta of Polybius. Of it and Jeba, nothing is known.
[3695] The Nahr-Naman, or Abou, on which Ptolemais was situate.
[3696] Employed in the extensive manufacture of that article at Tyre
and Sidon, to the north of this district.
[3697] A corruption of Acco, the native name; from which the English
name Acre, and the French St. Jean d’Acre. The earliest mention of it
is in the Book of Judges, i. 31. It is supposed that it was Ptolemy I.,
the son of Lagus, who enlarged it and gave it the name of Ptolemais.
Its citadel, however, still retained the name of Ace. Under the Romans,
Ptolemais, as mentioned by Pliny, was a colony, and belonged to
Galilee. The modern city of Acre occupies its site.
[3698] The Ach-Zib of Scripture, mentioned in Joshua xix. 29, and
Judges i. 31. Its ruins are to be seen near the sea-shore, about three
hours’ journey north of Acre. The spot is still called Es-Zib.
[3699] Still called the Ras-el-Abiad, or White Promontory.
[3700] A colony of the Sidonians: its scanty ruins are still to be seen
at the poor village of Sur. The wars of the Crusades completed its
downfall. The island is still joined to the mainland by the mole which
was erected by Alexander the Great during the siege of the place; or,
according to some, by the Syrians themselves.
[3701] Carthage is supposed to have been colonized _immediately_ by the
people of Utica.
[3702] From which was made the famous Tyrian purple.
[3703] Or “ancient Tyre,” which was built on the mainland.
[3704] The Zarephath of 1 Kings xvii. 9, 10, whither Elijah was sent to
the widow, whose son he afterwards raised from the dead. Its site is
now known as Sarfand.
[3705] Probably meaning “City of the Birds,” perhaps from the
quantities of game in its vicinity. Its site now bears the name of
Adlan.
[3706] Its site is now called Saïda. In the time of David and Solomon,
it was probably subject to the kings of Tyre.
[3707] Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, was said to have been the son of
its king Agenor.
[3708] The Lebanon of Scripture. This intervening space, the ancient
Cœle-Syria, is now inhabited by the Druses.
[3709] Perhaps the modern Nahr-el-Damur.
[3710] Now Beyrout. By some it has been identified with the Berotha,
or Berothai, of the Hebrew Scriptures. Its full name as a Roman colony
was, “Colonia Julia Augusta Felix Berytus.” It was colonized by the
veterans of the Fifth, or Macedonian, and the Eighth, or Augustan,
Legions. Beyrout, or Berut, is now, in a commercial point of view, the
most important place in Syria.
[3711] Nothing is known of this place. The name seems to mean, the
“Town of the Lion.”
[3712] Now the Nahr-el-Kelb, or “Dog’s River.”
[3713] The site of this place seems not to be known.
[3714] Now the Nahr-el-Ibrahim.
[3715] The modern town which stands on its site is called Jebeil. It
is situate at the foot of Lebanon. The ancient name seems to have been
Gebal, and the Geblites are mentioned in Joshua, xiii. 5; 1 Kings,
v. 18; and Ezek. xxvii. 9. The ruins of the ancient city are very
extensive. Astarte and Isis seem to have been worshipped here.
[3716] Now Batrun, a small town about twelve miles north of Byblus,
said to have been founded by Ithobal, king of Tyre.
[3717] Now Gazir, according to D’Anville.
[3718] Twelve miles from Tripolis. Its name would seem to bear
reference to a trireme, or galley. It has been said that this is the
place referred to in the Book of Daniel, xi. 30.
[3719] Polybius speaks of this place as being burnt by Antiochus. Its
site still bears the name of Calamon, according to D’Anville.
[3720] This properly consisted of three distinct cities, 600 feet
apart, each with its own walls, but all connected in a common
constitution; having one place of assembly, and forming in reality one
city only. They were colonies, as here suggested by Pliny, of Tyre,
Sidon, and Arados respectively. It is still a considerable place,
called Tarabolos, or Tarablis, by the Turks.
[3721] Its site is still known as Ortosa, or Tortosa.
[3722] Probably the same as the Nahr-el-Kebir, or “Great River,” to the
north of Tripolis. It may have derived its Greek name, which signifies
“free,” from its similarity to that given to it by the people of the
country.
[3723] This was an important city, near Antarados. Its ruins are spoken
of as very extensive. Simyra is still called Sumira.
[3724] Now called Ruad; an island off the northern coast of Phœnicia,
at a distance of twenty stadia from the mainland, Pliny falling short
here in his measurement. The city of Arados was very populous, though
built on a mere rock; and, contrary to Eastern custom, the houses
contained many stories. It is spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel under
the name of Arvad: see c. xxvii. 8, 11. In importance, it ranked next
to the cities of Tyre and Sidon.
[3725] Its modern name does not appear to be known.
[3726] Also called Antarados, as lying nearly opposite to the city of
Arados. According to Strabo, the port of Antarados was called Carne,
or Carnos. In the time of the Crusades, it was known under the name of
Tortosa. Its present name is Tartus.
[3727] Now Banias. It was situate twenty-four miles north of Antarados.
Its name is supposed to have originated in the baths in its vicinity.
The site is deserted; but a few ruins of the ancient town are still to
be seen.
[3728] Eight miles from Balanea. Its ruins are known by the name of
Boldo.
[3729] Its site is now known as Djebeleh, a small village in the
vicinity of Laodicea, or Latakia. The sun was probably worshipped here,
and hence the Emperor Heliogabalus derived his name.
[3730] About fifty miles south of Antioch, now called Ladikiyeh, or
Latakia, noted for the excellence of its tobacco, which has an European
reputation. It was built by Seleucus I., on the site of an earlier
city, called Ramitha. It was afterwards greatly favoured by Julius
Cæsar. Herod the Great built an aqueduct here, the ruins of which are
still in existence. It is now a poor Turkish village; but there are
considerable remains of the ancient city to be seen in its vicinity.
[3731] It has been suggested, that Pliny means the city of Lydda, in
the tribe of Benjamin, which of course would be very much to the south,
and quite out of the order in which he is proceeding. If that is not
the place meant, this Diospolis is utterly unknown.
[3732] At some miles’ distance to the north of Laodicea. Pococke found
some traces of its site at a spot called Minta Baurdeleh, or the Bay of
the Tower.
[3733] Pliny is in error here most probably, and is speaking of a place
as being in Syria which in reality was in Cilicia, between Platanus and
Cragus. The name implies its situation near a mountain torrent.
[3734] On a small bay, some miles north of Heraclea.
[3735] Or Antioch, the capital of the Greek kings of Syria, and the
most famous of the sixteen cities built by Seleucus Nicator, and called
after the name of his father, (or son, as some say,) Antiochus. It was
built on the Orontes, and formed one of the most beautiful and pleasant
cities of the ancient world. The modern Antakieh is a poor town, built
on the north-western part of the site of the ancient city, by the
river. The walls, built by Justinian, may still be traced for a circuit
of four miles. Here the followers of our Saviour first obtained the
name of “Christians.”
[3736] That is, “Near Daphne,” there being a celebrated grove of that
name, consecrated to Apollo, in its immediate vicinity.
[3737] Now called the Nahr-el-Asy.
[3738] Now Seleuca, or Kepse, at the foot of Mount Pieria. It has been
referred to in a previous note.
[3739] Now known as Djebel-el-Akra.
[3740] In the extreme north-east of Egypt. See pp. 422 and 424.
[3741] The beginning of the fourth watch was three o’clock in the
morning. The height of this mountain does not in reality appear to be
anything remarkable, and has been ascertained to be but 5318 feet.
There is probably no foundation for the marvellous story here told
by Pliny; nevertheless, we are told by Spartianus, that the Emperor
Adrian passed a night upon the mountain, for the purpose of seeing
this extraordinary sight; but a storm arising, it prevented the
gratification of his curiosity. It lay near Nymphæum and Seleucia, and
its base was washed by the waters of the Orontes.
[3742] Or Baalbec, in the interior of Syria.
[3743] According to Ansart, it still retains that name.
[3744] Now called Bylan. This was the name of the narrow pass between a
portion of Mount Taurus and the Rock of Rossicum. According to Ansart,
the spot is called at the present day Saggal Doutan.
[3745] This was a Phœnician colony, on the eastern side of the Gulf of
Issus; it is said by Ansart still to retain its ancient name.
[3746] Now called Alma-Dagh, a branch of Mount Taurus, running from
the head of the Gulf of Issus, north-east, to the principal chain, and
dividing Syria from Cilicia and Cappadocia. There were two passes in
it, the Syrian Gates and the Amanian Gates. It is often spoken of by
Cicero, who was the Roman governor of Cilicia.
[3747] The locality of this place is unknown, as Pliny is the only
author who mentions it.
[3748] Now Kulat-el-Mudik, situate in the valley of the Orontes, and
capital of the province of Apamene. It was fortified and enlarged
by Seleucus Nicator, who gave it its name, after his wife Apama. It
also bore the Macedonian name of Pella. It was situate on a hill, and
was so far surrounded by the windings of the Orontes, as to become a
peninsula, whence its name of Chersonesus. Very extensive ruins of this
place still exist.
[3749] It is suggested, that these are the Phylarchi Arabes of Strabo,
now called the Nosairis, who were situate to the east of Apamea. The
river Marsyas here mentioned was a small tributary of the Orontes, into
which it falls on the east side, near Apamea.
[3750] This was situate in Cyrrhestica, in Syria, on the high road
from Antioch to Mesopotamia, twenty-four miles to the west of the
Euphrates, and thirty-six to the south-west of Zeugma; two and a half
days’ journey from Berœa, and five from Antioch. It obtained its Greek
name of the “Sacred City” from Seleucus Nicator, owing to its being the
chief seat of the worship of the Syrian goddess Astarte. Its ruins were
first discovered by Maundrell.
[3751] In the former editions it is “Magog;” but Sillig’s reading of
“Mabog” is correct, and corresponds with the Oriental forms of Munbedj,
Manbesja, Manbesjun, Menba, Manba, Manbegj, and the modern name, Kara
Bambuche, or Buguk Munbedj.
[3752] Astarte, the semi-fish goddess.
[3753] This Chalcis is supposed to have been situate somewhere in the
district of the Buckaa, probably south of Heliopolis, or Baalbec. It
has been suggested, that its site may have been at, or near Zahle; in
the vicinity of which, at the village of Heusn Nieba, are to be seen
some remarkable remains. Or else, possibly, at Majdel Anjar, where
Abulfeda speaks of great ruins of hewn stone.
[3754] Ansart suggests, that Belus is here the name of a mountain, and
that it may be the same that is now called Djebel-il-Semmaq.
[3755] To the north of Chalcidene, a town of Syria, on the slopes of
the Taurus, eighty miles to the north-cast of Antioch. In the Roman
times, it was the head-quarters of the Tenth Legion. The ruins near the
modern village of Corus represent the ancient Cyrrhus. Of the Gazatæ
and Gindareni, nothing is known.
[3756] Possibly meaning the “Burghers of Granum.” Nothing is known of
these people.
[3757] The people of Emesa, a city in the district of Apamene, on
the right, or eastern bank of the Orontes, to which, in C. 26 of the
present Book, Pliny assigns a desert district beyond Palmyra. It was
celebrated in ancient times for its magnificent temple of the sun,
and the appointment of its priest, Bassianus, or Heliogabalus, to the
imperial dignity, in his fourteenth year. It was made a colony, with
the _jus Italicum_, by Caracalla, and afterwards became the capital of
Phœnicia Libanesia. The present name of its site is Hems.
[3758] The Hylatæ are totally unknown. Ituræa was situate in the
north-east of Palestine, and, with Trachonitis, belonged to the
tetrarchy of Philip. Its boundaries cannot be precisely determined; but
it may probably be traversed by a line drawn from the Lake of Tiberias
to Damascus.
[3759] According to Ptolemy, the people of Mariama, some miles to the
west of Emesa.
[3760] In the district of Laodicea, according to Ptolemy.
[3761] Near the Portæ Amani, or “Passes of Amanus.”
[3762] Pinara was near Pagræ, in Pieria, last mentioned.
[3763] Probably Seleucia, in Mesopotamia, now called Bir, on the left
bank of the Euphrates, opposite to the ford of Zeugma, a fortress of
considerable importance.
[3764] Its site is doubtful. Sebj d’Aboulgazi has been suggested.
[3765] The people of Arethusa, a city of Syria, not far from Apamea,
situate between Epiphania and Emesa. In later times, it took the name
of Restan.
[3766] The people of Berœa, a town of Syria, midway between Antioch and
Hierapolis. Seleucus Nicator gave to it the Macedonian name of Berœa;
but, in A.D. 638, it resumed its ancient name of Chaleb, or Chalybon.
The modern Haleb, or Aleppo, occupies its site. Some excavations, on
the eastern side of it, are the only vestiges of ancient remains in the
neighbourhood.
[3767] The people of Epiphanæa, placed by Ptolemy in the district
of Cassiotis, in which also Antioch and Larissa were situate. The
Itinerary of Antoninus places it sixteen miles from Larissa, thirty-two
from Emesa, and 101 from Antioch of Syria. It is supposed to have been
identical with the ancient Hamath, mentioned in 2 Sam. viii. 9; 1 Kings
viii. 65; Isaiah x. 9, and called “Hamath the great” in Amos vi. 2,
which name it also retained in the time of St. Jerome.
[3768] The people of Laodicea ad Libanum, a city of Cœle-Syria, at
the northern entrance to the narrow valley, between Libanus and
Anti-Libanus. During the possession of Cœle-Syria by the Greek kings of
Egypt, it was the south-west border fortress of Syria. It was the chief
city of a district called Laodicene.
[3769] Of Leucas, or Leucadia, nothing is known. Larissa, in Syria, was
a city in the district of Apamene, on the western bank of the Orontes,
about half-way between Apamea and Epiphania. The site is now called
Kulat-Seijar.
[3770] In the western branch of the plateau of Iran, a portion of
the Taurus chain. Considerable changes in the course of the lower
portion of the river have taken place since the time when Pliny wrote.
Caranitis is the modern Arzrum, or Erzrúm, of the Turks.
[3771] Now called Dujik Tagh, a mountain of Armenia.
[3772] It has been suggested, that the proper reading here would be
_Xerxene_.
[3773] Probably the district where the goddess Anais was worshipped,
who is mentioned by Pliny in B. xxxiii. c. 24.
[3774] From the place of confluence where the two mountain streams
forming the Euphrates unite. This spot is now known as Kebban Ma’den.
[3775] A fortress upon the river Euphrates, in Lesser Armenia. It has
been identified with the ferry and lead-mines of Kebban Ma’den, the
points where the Kara Su is joined by the Myrad-Chaï, at a distance
of 270 miles from its source; the two streams forming, by their
confluence, the Euphrates.
[3776] Other readings have “Pastona” here, said by D’Anville to be the
modern Pastek.
[3777] Called the metropolis of Lesser Armenia by Procopius. It was
situate between Anti-Taurus and the Euphrates, and celebrated for its
fertility, more especially in fruit-trees, oil, and wine. The site
of the city Melitene is now called Malatiyah, on a tributary of the
Euphrates, and near that river itself.
[3778] It is generally supposed that “twenty-four” would be the correct
reading here.
[3779] There were two places of this name. The one here spoken of was
a town of Lesser Armenia, on the right bank of the Euphrates, at the
first, or principal curve, which takes place before the river enters
Mount Taurus. It is represented by the modern Iz Oghlu.
[3780] No other writer is found to make mention of the Lycus, which
flows into the Euphrates, though there is a river formerly so called,
which flows into the Tigris below Larissa, the modern Nimroud.
D’Anville is of opinion, that it is formed from the numerous springs,
called by the people of the district Bing-gheul, or the “Thousand
Springs.”
[3781] Now called the Myrad-Chaï. Ritter considers it to be the south
arm of the Euphrates. The Arsanus is mentioned by no writer except
Pliny.
[3782] The defile at this place is now called the Cataract of Nachour,
according to Parisot.
[3783] The more general reading here is “Omira.” Hardouin is of
opinion, that this is the district referred to in the Book of Judith,
ii. 24. In the Vulgate, it appears to be twice called the river
_Mambre_; but in our version it is called _Arbonaï_.
[3784] Burnouf has concluded, from a cuneiform inscription which he
deciphered, that the name of this people was Ayurâ, and that Hardouin
is wrong in conjecturing that it was a name derived from the Greek
ὄρος, “a mountain,” and designating the people as a mountain tribe. If
Burnouf is right, the proper reading here would seem to be Arœi, or
Arrhœi.
[3785] The length of the _schœnus_ has been mentioned by our author in
C. 11 of the present Book. M. Saigey makes the Persian parasang to be
very nearly the same length as the schœnus of Pliny.
[3786] Commagene was a district in the north of Syria, bounded by the
Euphrates on the east, by Cilicia on the west, and by Amanus on the
north. Its capital was Samosata.
[3787] The place here spoken of by Pliny is probably the same mentioned
by Ptolemy as in Cataonia, one of the provinces of Cappadocia.
According to Parisot, the site of the place is called at the present
day ‘Ra Claudie.’
[3788] Salmasius has confounded these cataracts with those of Nachour,
or Elegia, previously mentioned. It is evident, however, that they are
not the same.
[3789] Now called Someisat. In literary history, it is celebrated as
being the birth-place of the satirist Lucian. Nothing remains of it but
a heap of ruins, on an artificial mound.
[3790] In the district of Osrhoëne, in the northern part of
Mesopotamia. It was situate on the Syrtus, now the Daisan, a small
tributary of the Euphrates. Pliny speaks rather loosely when he places
it in Arabia. It is supposed that it bore the name of Antiochia during
the reign of the Syrian king, Antiochus IV. The modern town of Orfahor
Unfah is supposed to represent its site.
[3791] “The beautiful stream.” It is generally supposed that this was
another name of Edessa.
[3792] Supposed to be the Haran, or Charan, of the Old Testament.
It was here, as alluded to by Pliny, that Crassus was defeated and
slain by the Parthian general, Surena. It was situate in Osroëne, in
Mesopotamia, and not far from Edessa. According to Stephanus, it had
its name from Carrha, a river of Syria, and was celebrated in ancient
times for its temple of Luna, or Lunus.
[3793] According to Strabo, the Aborras, now the Khabur, flowed round
this town. By Tacitus it is called Anthemusias. According to Isidorus
of Charax, it lay between Edessa and the Euphrates.
[3794] Now Rakkah, a fortified town of Mesopotamia, on the Euphrates,
near the mouth of the river Bilecha. It was built by order of Alexander
the Great, and completed probably by Seleucus. It is supposed to
have been the same place as Callinicum, the fortifications of which
were repaired by Justinian. Its name was changed in later times to
Leontopolis by the Emperor Leo.
[3795] Now called Sinjar, according to Brotier. Some writers imagine
that this was the site of “the plain in the land of Shinar,” on which
the Tower of Babel was built, mentioned in the Book of Genesis, xi. 2.
[3796] Mentioned in C. 17 of the present Book.
[3797] Probably not that in the district of Cassiotis, and on the
western bank of the Orontes, mentioned in C. 19 of the present Book.
Of this locality nothing seems to be known, except that Dupinet states
that it is now called Adelphe by the Turks.
[3798] Probably the “Antiochia ad Taurum” mentioned by the geographer
Stephanus, and by Ptolemy. Some writers place it at the modern Aintab,
seventy-five miles north-east of Aleppo.
[3799] Now called Roum-Cala, or the “Roman Castle.” For Zeugma see p.
424.
[3800] In the north-east of the district of Astropatene, originally
called Rhaga. It was rebuilt by Seleucus Nicator, and by him called
Europus. Colonel Rawlinson has identified it with the present Veramin,
at no great distance from the ancient Rhages.
[3801] Its ruins are to be seen at the ford of El Hamman, near the
modern Rakkah. It stood on the banks of the Euphrates; and here was
the usual, and, for a long time, the only ford of the Euphrates. It is
supposed to have derived its name from the Aramean word “Thiphsach,”
signifying “a ford.”
[3802] Or “Dwellers in Tents.” See p. 422.
[3803] According to Ortelius and Hardouin, this is the place called
Sura by Pliny, in C. 26 of the present Book; but Parisot differs from
that opinion. Bochart suggests, that “Ur, of the Chaldees,” is the
place referred to under this name; but, as Hardouin observes, that
place lay at a considerable distance to the south.
[3804] So called from the circumstance that Palmyra stood in the midst
of them. It was built by King Solomon, in an oasis of the Desert,
in the midst of palm groves, from which it received its Greek name,
which was a translation also of the Hebrew “Tadmor,” “the city of
palm-trees.” It lay at a considerable distance from the Euphrates. Its
site presents considerable ruins; but they are all of the Roman period,
and greatly inferior to those of Baalbec or Heliopolis.
[3805] The rock fortress of the Idumæans in Arabia Petræa, now called
Wady-Musa, half-way between the head of the Gulf of Akabah and the Dead
Sea.
[3806] Which it continued to do until it was conquered under its
queen, Zenobia, by the Emperor Aurelian, in A.D. 270. It was partially
destroyed by him, but was afterwards fortified by Justinian; though it
never recovered its former greatness.
[3807] See B. vi. c. 30.
[3808] Pliny is the only author that makes mention of Stelendene.
[3809] In C. 19 of the present Book.
[3810] Previously mentioned by Pliny. See p. 439. Of Elatium nothing is
known.
[3811] The same place that is also mentioned in history as Flavia Firma
Sura. The site of Philiscum is totally unknown.
[3812] Nothing is known of this place.
[3813] Parisot remarks, that it is true that the Euphrates increases
periodically, much in the same manner as the Nile; but that its
increase does not arise from similar causes, nor are the same results
produced by it, seeing that the river does not convey the same volume
of water as the Nile, and that the country in the vicinity of its bed
does not, like Egypt, form a valley pent up between two ranges of hills.
[3814] So called probably from the Greek διαφανὴς, “transparent.” It
has not been identified, but it was no doubt a small stream falling
into the Gulf of Issus.
[3815] Or “Passes.” As to Mount Amanus, see C. 18 of the present Book.
[3816] Parisot suggests that this is the Chersos of Xenophon, the
modern Kermes.
[3817] The Deli-Su of modern times according to D’Anville, the Maher-Su
according to Pococke.
[3818] Pliny is the only writer that mentions this river Lycus.
[3819] The Gulf of Issos is now called the Gulf of Scanderoon or
Iskenderun, from the town of that name, the former Alexandria ad Issum,
mentioned here by Pliny. In the vicinity of Issus, Alexander defeated
the army of Darius. The exact site of the town appears not to have been
ascertained.
[3820] Which still preserves its name in Iskenderun, on the east side
of the Gulf. It probably received its name in honour of Alexander the
Great.
[3821] Or the “Green” River. Its identity is unknown.
[3822] Now called Ayas Kala or Kalassy. It was a place, in the Roman
period, of some importance.
[3823] The modern river Jihan.
[3824] Or “Passes” of Cilicia, through the range of Taurus.
[3825] Called Mallo in modern times, according to Hardouin and Dupinet.
[3826] At the mouth of the Pyramus, according to Tzetzes.
[3827] Famous as the birth-place of St. Paul, the Apostle of the
Gentiles. Its ruins still bear the name of Tersus. During the civil
war it took part with Julius Cæsar, and from him received the name of
Juliopolis.
[3828] They lie between the rivers Djihoun and Syhoun, according to
Ansart.
[3829] Now called Messis, according to D’Anville and Mannert. The site
of Cassipolis, or Cassiopolis according to some readings, is unknown.
[3830] The sites of Thynos and Zephyrium appear to be unknown. Anchiale
was situate on the coast, upon the river Anchialeus, according to the
geographer Stephanus. Aristobulus, quoted by Strabo, says that at
this place was the tomb of Sardanapalus, and on it a relief in stone
representing a man snapping the fingers of the right hand. He adds,
“It is said that there is an Assyrian inscription also, recording that
Sardanapalus built Anchiale and Tarsus in one day, and exhorting the
reader to eat, drink, &c., as everything else is not worth That, the
meaning of which was shown by the attitude of the figure.” Athenæus
however cites Amyntas as his authority for stating that the tomb of
Sardanapalus was at Nineveh. Leake is of opinion that a mound on the
banks of the river beyond the modern villages of Kazalu and Karaduar
forms the remains of Anchiale.
[3831] The modern Syhou, according to Ansart.
[3832] Now called the Tersoos Chai. It is remarkable for the coldness
of its waters, and it was here that Alexander the Great nearly met with
his death from bathing when heated, in the stream.
[3833] Now Chelendreh. It was a strong place on the coast, situate on
a high rock nearly surrounded by the sea. None of its ruins seem older
than the early period of the Roman empire. The Turks call it Gulnare.
[3834] Probably so called from a temple to the Sea Nymphs there.
[3835] To distinguish it from Solæ or Soli of Cyprus. It was situate
between the rivers Cydnus and Lamus, and was said to have been
colonized by Argives and Lydians from Rhodes. Alexander mulcted its
inhabitants of 200 talents, for their adhesion to the Persians. It was
celebrated as the birth-place of the Stoic philosopher Chrysippus, the
comic poet Philemon, and the poet and astronomer Aratus. Its name is
perpetuated in the word _Solecism_, which is said to have been first
applied to the corrupt dialect of Greek spoken by the inhabitants of
this city, or as some say, of Soli in Cyprus.
[3836] It still retains its ancient name, and is situate on the western
side of the Sarus, now the Syhoun or Syhan. Pompey settled here some of
the Cilician pirates whom he had conquered.
[3837] Leake, in his ‘Asia Minor,’ p. 196, says, “The vestiges of
Cibyra are probably those observed by Captain Beaufort upon a height
which rises from the right bank of a considerable river about eight
miles to the eastward of the Melas, about four miles to the west of
Cape Karáburnu, and nearly two miles from the shore.” Ptolemy mentions
Cibyra as an inland town of Cilicia Trachea, but Scylax places it on
the coast.
[3838] Its ruins are still called Pinara or Minara. It was an inland
city of Lycia, some distance west of the river Xanthus, and at the foot
of Mount Cragus.
[3839] Or perhaps ‘Podalie.’ Of it nothing seems to be known.
[3840] Or Selinuntum, now Selenti, on the coast of Cilicia. In
consequence of the death here of the Emperor Trajan, it received the
name of Trajanopolis. Of Ale, if that is the correct reading, nothing
whatever is known.
[3841] On the coast of Cilicia; mentioned by Strabo as having a port.
Leake places it at or near the ruined castle called Sokhta Kalesi,
below which is a port, and a peninsula on the east side of the harbour
covered with ruins.
[3842] In the district of Selenitis. It has been identified with the
site of the modern fortress of Lambardo. It is also suggested that it
may have been the same place as Laerte, the native city of Diogenes
Laertius. Of Doron nothing seems to be known.
[3843] Its ruins are supposed to be those seen by Leake near the island
of Crambusa. Here the walls of an ancient city may still be traced, and
a mole of unhewn rocks projects from one angle of the fortress about
100 yards across the bay.
[3844] Strabo describes this cave as a vast hollow of circular form,
surrounded by a margin of rock on all sides of considerable height; on
descending it, the ground was found full of shrubs, both evergreens and
cultivated, and in some parts the best saffron was grown. He also says
that there was a cave which contained a large spring, from which arose
a river of clear water which immediately afterwards sank into the earth
and flowed underground into the sea. It was called the Bitter Water.
This cave, so famed in ancient times, does not appear to have been
examined by any modern traveller. It was said to have been the bed of
the giant Typhon or Typhœus.
[3845] Now known as the Ghiuk-Su.
[3846] Supposed to be the same as the modern Lessan-el-Kahpeh.
[3847] Or Holmi, on the coast of Cilicia Tracheia, a little to the
south-west of Seleucia. Leake thinks that the modern town of Aghaliman
occupies the site of Holmœ.
[3848] Probably the same place as the Aphrodisias mentioned by Livy,
Diodorus Siculus, and Ptolemy.
[3849] On the headland now called Cape Anemour, the most southerly
part of Asia Minor. Beaufort discovered on the point indications of a
considerable ancient town.
[3850] Its site is now called Alaya or Alanieh. This spot was Strabo’s
boundary-line between Pamphylia and Cilicia. Some slight remains of the
ancient town were seen here by Beaufort, but no inscriptions were found.
[3851] Identified by Beaufort with the modern Manaugat-Su.
[3852] So called, either from an adjacent mountain of that name, or
its founder, Anazarbus. Its later name was Cæsarea ad Anazarbum. Its
site is called Anawasy or Amnasy, and is said to display considerable
remains of the ancient town. Of Augusta nothing is known: Ptolemy
places it in a district called Bryelice.
[3853] Identified by Ainsworth with the ruins seen at Kara Kaya in
Cilicia.
[3854] Pompey settled some of the Cilician pirates here after his
defeat of them. It was thirty miles east of Anazarbus, but its site
does not appear to have been identified.
[3855] An island off the shore of Cilicia, also called Sebaste.
[3856] Some of the MSS. read “Riconium” here.
[3857] Its ruins are called Selefkeh. This was an important city of
Seleucia Aspera, built by Seleucus I. on the western bank of the river
Calycadnus. It had an oracle of Apollo, and annual games in honour of
Zeus Olympius. It was a free city under the Romans. It was here that
Frederick Barbarossa, the emperor of Germany, died. Its ruins are
picturesque and extensive.
[3858] Meaning that the inhabitants of Holmia were removed by Seleucus
to his new city of Seleucia.
[3859] Said by Vitruvius to have had the property of anointing those
who bathed in its waters. If so, it probably had its name from the
Greek word λιπαρὸς, “fat.” It flowed past the town of Soloë. Bombos and
Paradisus are rivers which do not appear to have been identified.
[3860] A branch of the Taurus range.
[3861] It bordered in the east on Lycaonia, in the north on Phrygia, in
the west on Pisidia, and in the south on Cilicia and Pamphylia.
[3862] A well-fortified city at the foot of Mount Taurus. It was
twice destroyed, first by its inhabitants when besieged by Perdiccas,
and again by the Roman general Servilius Isauricus. Strabo says that
Amyntas of Galatea built a new city in its vicinity out of the ruins
of the old one. D’Anville and others have identified the site of Old
Isauria with the modern Bei Sheher, and they are of opinion that Seidi
Sheher occupies the site of New Isaura, but Hamilton thinks that the
ruins on a hill near the village of Olou Bounar mark the site of New
Isaura. Of the two next places nothing seems to be known at the present
day.
[3863] In the last Chapter.
[3864] In Pisidia, at the southern extremity of Lake Caralitis.
Tacitus, Annals, iii. 48, says that this people possessed forty-four
fortresses: whereas Strabo speaks of them as the most barbarous of all
the Pisidian tribes, dwelling only in caves. They were conquered by the
consul Quirinius in the time of Augustus.
[3865] Pisidia was a mountainous region formed by that part of the main
chain of Mount Taurus which sweeps round in a semicircle parallel to
the shore of the Pamphylian Gulf; the shore itself at the foot of the
mountains forming the district of Pamphylia. On the south-east it was
bounded by Cilicia, on the east and north-east by Lycaonia and Isauria,
and by Phrygia Parorios on the north, where its boundaries greatly
varied at different times.
[3866] Generally called “Antioch of Pisidia,” was situate on the south
side of the mountain boundary between Phrygia and Pisidia. The modern
Yalobatch is supposed to occupy its site. The remains of the ancient
town are numerous. Its title of Cæsarea was probably given to it on its
becoming a Roman colony early in the imperial period.
[3867] D’Anville suggests that the modern Haviran occupies its site,
and that Sadjakla stands on that of Sagalessos.
[3868] This country was bounded on the north by Galatia, on the east
by Cappadocia, on the south by Cilicia Aspera, on the south-west by
Isauria and Phrygia Parorios, and on the north-west by Great Phrygia.
It was assigned under the Persian empire to the satrapy of Cappadocia,
but considered by the Greek and Roman geographers the south-east part
of Phrygia.
[3869] Phrygia, or the western part of Asia, the first part of the
Asiatic continent that received the name of Asia. Sec Chapters 28 & 29
of the present Book.
[3870] D’Anville thinks that the place called Il-Goun occupies the site
of Philomela.
[3871] Hardouin suggests that the reading here is “Tibriani,” the
people of Tibrias. Ansart is of opinion that Thymbrium is meant, the
place at which Cyrus defeated the army of Crœsus.
[3872] Its site is unknown. It was probably so called from the quarries
of white stone or marble in its vicinity. Pelta and Tyrium are also
equally unknown.
[3873] Iconium was regarded in the time of Xenophon as the easternmost
town of Phrygia, while all the later authorities described it as the
principal city of Lycaonia. In the Acts of the Apostles it is described
as a very populous city, inhabited by Greeks and Jews. Its site is now
called Kunjah or Koniyeh.
[3874] It has been suggested that this may be the Tarbassus of
Artemidorus, quoted by Strabo. Hyde was in later times one of the
episcopal cities of Lycaonia.
[3875] Their district is called Melyas by Herodotus, B. i. c. 173. The
city of Arycanda is unknown.
[3876] United with Cilicia it now forms the province of Caramania or
Kermanieh. It was a narrow strip of the southern coast of Asia Minor,
extending in an arch along the Pamphylian Gulf between Lycia on the
west, Cilicia on the east, and on the north bordering on Pisidia.
[3877] Tradition ascribed the first Greek settlements in this country
to Mopsus, son of Apollo (or of Rhacius), after the Trojan war.
[3878] Now called the Gulf of Adalia, lying between Cape Khelidonia and
Cape Anemour.
[3879] Now called Candeloro, according to D’Anville and Beaufort.
[3880] Or Aspendus, an Argeian colony on the river Eurymedon. The
“mountain” of Pliny is nothing but a hill or piece of elevated ground.
It is supposed that it still retains its ancient name. In B. xxxi. c.
7, Pliny mentions a salt lake in its vicinity.
[3881] Hardouin suggests that the correct reading is ‘Petnelessum.’
[3882] A city of remarkable splendour, between the rivers Catarrhactes
and Cestrus, sixty stadia from the mouth of the former. It was a
celebrated seat of the worship of Artemis or Diana. In the later Roman
empire it was the capital of Pamphylia Secunda. It was the first place
visited by St. Paul in Asia Minor. See Acts, xiii. 13 and xiv. 25.
Its splendid ruins are still to be seen at Murtana, sixteen miles
north-east of Adalia.
[3883] Now known as the Kapri-Su.
[3884] Now called Duden-Su. It descends the mountains of Taurus in a
great broken waterfall, whence its name.
[3885] Probably occupying the site of the modern Atalieh or Satalieh.
[3886] On the borders of Lycia and Pamphylia, at the foot of Mount
Solyma. Its ruins now bear the name of Tekrova.
[3887] It was inclosed by Caria and Pamphylia on the west and east, and
on the north by the district of Cibyrates in Phrygia.
[3888] The Gulf of Satalieh or Adalia.
[3889] Still known as Cape Khelidonia or Cameroso.
[3890] Parisot remarks here, “Pliny describes on this occasion, with an
exactness very remarkable for his time, the chain of mountains which
runs through the part of Asia known to the ancients, although it is
evident that he confines the extent of them within much too small a
compass.”
[3891] The Caspian and the Hyrcanian Seas are generally looked upon
as identical, but we find them again distinguished by Pliny in B. vi.
c. 13, where he says that this inland sea commences to be called the
_Caspian_ after you have passed the river Cyrus (or Kúr), and that the
Caspii live near it; and in C. 16, that it is called the _Hyrcanian_
Sea, from the Hyrcani who live along its shores. The western side would
therefore in strictness be called the _Caspian_, and the eastern the
_Hyrcanian_ Sea.
[3892] “The name of Imaüs was, in the first instance, applied by the
Greek geographers to the Hindú-Kúsh and to the chain parallel to the
equator, to which the name of Himâlaya is usually given at the present
day. The name was gradually extended to the intersection running north
and south, the meridian axis of Central Asia, or the _Bolor_ range. The
divisions of Asia into ‘intra et extra Imaum,’ were unknown to Strabo
and Pliny, though the latter describes the knot of mountains formed
by the intersections of the Himâlaya, the Hindú-Kúsh, and Bolor, by
the expression ‘quorum (Montes Emodi) promontorium Imaüs vocatur.’ The
Bolor chain has been for ages, with one or two exceptions, the boundary
between the empires of China and Turkestan.”—_Dr. Smith’s Dictionary of
Ancient Geography._
[3893] The Gates of Armenia are spoken of in B. vi. c. 12, the Gates of
the Caspian in C. 16 of the same Book, and the Gates of Cilicia in C.
22 of the present Book.
[3894] See C. ix. of the next Book.
[3895] “Strabo gives this name to only the eastern portion of the
Caucasian chain which overhangs the Caspian Sea and forms the northern
boundary of Albania, and in which he places the Amazons. Mela seems to
apply the name to the whole chain which other writers call Caucasus,
confining the latter term to a part of it. Pliny (B. v. c. 27 & B. vi.
c. 11) gives precisely the same representation, with the additional
error of making the Ceraunii (_i. e._ the Caucasus of others) part of
the Great Taurus Chain. He seems to apply the name of Caucasus to the
spurs which spread out both to the north-east and the south-east from
the main chain near its eastern extremity, and which he regarded as a
continuous range, bordering the western shores of the Caspian. See B.
vi. c. 10.”—_Dr. Smith’s Dictionary of Ancient Geography._
[3896] Of Chelidonium, now Khelidonia, formed by the range of Taurus.
[3897] See B. ii. c. 110. The flame which continually burned on this
mountain has been examined by Beaufort, the modern traveller. The name
of the mountain is now Yanar: it is formed of a mass of scaglia with
serpentine. Spratt says that the flame is nothing more than a stream
of inflammable gas issuing from a crevice, such as is seen in several
places in the Apennines. By Homer it is represented as a fabulous
monster, which is explained by Servius, the commentator of Virgil, in
the following manner. He says that flames issue from the top of the
mountain, and that there are lions in the vicinity; the middle part
abounds in goats, and the lower part with serpents. Simena appears to
be unknown.
[3898] So called from Ἥφαιστος, the Greek name of Vulcan. Pliny
mentions this spot also in B. ii. c. 110. The flame probably proceeded
from an inflammable gas, or else was ignited by a stream of naphtha.
[3899] More generally known as Phœnicus, a flourishing city on Mount
Olympus; now Yanar Dagh, a volcano on the eastern coast of Lycia, with
which it often exchanged names. Having become the head-quarters of the
pirates, it was destroyed by the Roman general Servilius Isauricus. Its
ruins are to be seen at a spot called Deliktash.
[3900] Mentioned again in B. xxxvi. c. 34, as the spot whence the
_gagates lapis_ or ‘agate’ took its name. The ruins at Aladja are
regarded by Leake as marking the site of Gagæ; but Sir Charles Fellowes
identifies the place with the modern village of Hascooe, the vicinity
of which is covered with ruins.
[3901] On the road from Phaselis in Lycia to Patara. Its site is a
village called Hadgivella, about sixteen miles south-west of Phaselis.
The remains are very considerable.
[3902] The remains of Rhodiopolis were found by Spratt and Forbes in
the vicinity of Corydalla.
[3903] On the Limyrus, probably the modern Phineka; the ruins to the
north of which are supposed to be those of Limyra.
[3904] The modern Akhtar Dagh.
[3905] Now Andraki. This was the port of Myra, next mentioned. It stood
at the mouth of the river now known as the Andraki. Cramer observes
that it was here St. Paul was put on board the ship of Alexandria, Acts
xxvii. 5, 6.
[3906] Still called Myra by the Greeks, but Dembre by the Turks. It was
built on a rock twenty stadia from the sea. St. Paul touched here on
his voyage as a prisoner to Rome, and from the mention made of it in
Acts xxvii. 5, 6, it would appear to have been an important sea-port.
There are magnificent ruins of this city still to be seen, in part hewn
out of the solid rock.
[3907] From an inscription found by Cockerell at the head of the
Hassac Bay, it is thought that _Aperlæ_ is the proper name of this
place, though again there are coins of Gordian which give the name as
_Aperræ_. It is fixed by the Stadismus as sixty stadia west of Somena,
which Leake supposes to be the same as the Simena mentioned above by
Pliny.
[3908] Now called Antephelo or Andifilo, on the south coast of Lycia,
at the head of a bay. Its theatre is still complete, with the exception
of the proscenium. There are also other interesting remains of
antiquity.
[3909] Fellowes places the site of Phellos near a village called
_Saaret_, west-north-west of Antiphellos, where he found the remains
of a town; but Spratt considers this to mark the site of the Pyrra of
Pliny, mentioned above—judging from Pliny’s words. Modern geographers
deem it more consistent with his meaning to look for Phellos north of
Antiphellos than in any other direction, and the ruins at Tchookoorbye,
north of Antiphellos, on the spur of a mountain called Fellerdagh, are
thought to be those of Phellos.
[3910] The most famous city of Lycia. It stood on the western bank
of the river of that name, now called the Echen Chai. It was twice
besieged, and on both occasions the inhabitants destroyed themselves
with their property, first by the Persians under Harpagus, and
afterwards by the Romans under Brutus. Among its most famous temples
were those of Sarpedon and of the Lycian Apollo. The ruins now known
by the name of Gunik, have been explored by Sir C. Fellows and other
travellers, and a portion of its remains are now to be seen in the
British Museum, under the name of the Xanthian marbles.
[3911] Its ruins still bear the same name. It was a flourishing
seaport, on a promontory of the same name, sixty stadia east of the
mouth of the Xanthus. It was early colonized by the Dorians from Crete,
and became a chief seat of the worship of Apollo, from whose son
Patarus it was said to have received its name. Ptolemy Philadelphus
enlarged it, and called it Arsinoë, but it still remained better known
by its old name. This place was visited by St. Paul, who thence took
ship for Phœnicia. See Acts xxi. 1.
[3912] This was more properly the name of a mountain district of Lycia.
Strabo speaks of Cragus, a mountain with eight summits, and a city of
the same name. Beaufort thinks that Yedy-Booroon, the Seven Capes, a
group of high and rugged mountains, appear to have been the ancient
Mount Cragus of Lycia.
[3913] Probably the Gulf of Macri, equal in size to the Gulf of
Satalia, which is next to it.
[3914] This place lay in the interior at the base of Cragus, and
its ruins are still to be seen on the east side of the range, about
half-way between Telmessus and the termination of the range on the
south coast.
[3915] Its ruins are to be seen at Mei, or the modern port of Macri.
[3916] Its site is unknown. That of Candyba has been ascertained to be
a place called Gendevar, east of the Xanthus, and a few miles from the
coast. Its rock-tombs are said to be beautifully executed. The Œnian
grove or forest, it has been suggested, may still be recognized in the
extensive pine forest that now covers the mountain above the city. The
sites of Podalia and Choma seem to be unknown.
[3917] In some editions “Cyane.” Leake says that this place was
discovered to the west of Andriaca by Cockerell. It appears from
Scott and Forbes’s account of Lycia, that three sites have been found
between port Tristorus and the inland valley of Kassabar, which from
the inscriptions appeared anciently to have borne this name, Yarvoo,
Ghiouristan, and Toussa. The former is the chief place and is covered
with ruins of the Roman and middle-age construction. At Ghiouristan
there are Lycian rock-tombs.
[3918] Its ruins are to be seen near the modern Doover, in the interior
of Lycia, about two miles and a half east of the river Xanthus. Of the
three places previously mentioned the sites appear to be unknown.
[3919] Mentioned by the geographer Stephanus as being in Caria.
[3920] Its site is fixed at Katara, on both sides of the Katara Su, the
most northern branch of the Xanthus. The ruins are very considerable,
lying on both sides of the stream. Balbura is a neuter plural.
[3921] It lay to the west of Balbura, near a place now called Ebajik,
on a small stream that flows into the Horzoom Tchy. In B. xxxv. c. 17,
Pliny mentions a kind of chalk found in the vicinity of this place. Its
ruins are still to be seen, but they are not striking.
[3922] In the south-west corner of Asia Minor, bounded on the north and
north-east by the mountains Messagis and Cadmus, dividing it from Lydia
and Phrygia, and adjoining to Phrygia and Lycia on the south-east.
[3923] Caria.
[3924] Now Cape Ghinazi. It was also called Artemisium, from the temple
of Artemis or Diana situate upon it.
[3925] Discharging itself into the bay of Telmissus, now Makri.
[3926] “Telmissus” is the reading here in some editions.
[3927] Situate in the district of Caria called Peræa. It was also the
name given to a mountainous district. In Hoskyn’s map the ruins of
Dædala are placed near the head of the Gulf of Glaucus, on the west
of a small river called Inegi Chai, probably the ancient Ninus, where
Dædalus was bitten by a water-snake, in consequence of which he died.
[3928] On the Gulf of Glaucus: Stephanus however places it in Lycia.
Mela speaks only of a promontory of this name.
[3929] Leake places this river immediately west of the Gulf of Glaucus.
[3930] Placed by Strabo sixty stadia from the sea, west of the Gulf
of Glaucus, and east of Carinus. Its site is uncertain, but it may
possibly be the place discovered by Fellows, which is proved by
inscriptions to have been called Cadyanda, a name otherwise unknown to
us. This lies N.N.E. of Makri, on the Gulf of Glaucus or Makri, at a
place called Hoozoomlee, situate on an elevated plain.
[3931] The same as the river Calbis of Strabo and Mela, at present the
Dalamon Tchy, Quingi or Taas, having its sources in Mount Cadmus above
Cibyra. It was said to have derived its name from an Indian, who had
been thrown into it from an elephant.
[3932] Their district was Cibyratis, of which the chief city was
Cibyra. This place, uniting with the towns of Balbura, Bubon, and
Œnianda, had the name of Tetrapolis; of which league Cibyra was the
head, mustering 30,000 infantry and 2000 cavalry. The iron found in
this district was easily cut with a chisel or other sharp tool. The
site of this powerful city has been ascertained to be at Horzoom, on
the Horzoom Tchy, a branch of the Dalamon Tchy or Indus. The ruins are
very extensive, and the theatre in fine preservation.
[3933] Placed by Strabo west of Calynda. The ancient descriptions of
its locality vary, but the place now known as Kaiguez is said to denote
its site. The Caunii are frequently mentioned in the Persian, Grecian,
and Roman histories. It was noted for its dried figs, mentioned by
Pliny in B. xv. c. 19.
[3934] Supposed by Mannert to be the Physcus of Strabo and the Phuscæ
of Ptolemy.
[3935] Leake says that this harbour is now called Aplothíka by the
Greeks, and Porto Cavaliere by the Italians, lie also says that on its
western shore are the ruins of an Hellenic fortress and town, which are
undoubtedly those of Loryma.
[3936] It had a port of the same name.
[3937] Called Pandion by Mela, according to Parisot.
[3938] Parisot suggests that it is the same as Loryma previously
mentioned.
[3939] Like the Gulf of Schœnus, a portion probably of the Dorian Gulf,
now the Gulf of Syme.
[3940] The modern name of this promontory is not given by Hamilton, who
sailed round it. It has been confounded with the Cynos Sema of Strabo,
now Capo Velo. The site of Hyda or Hyde is unknown.
[3941] There was a town of this name as well. Stephen of Byzantium
tells us that it received its name from a shepherd who saved the life
of Podalirius, when shipwrecked on the coast of Caria.
[3942] Part of it was situate on an island now called Cape Krio,
connected by a causeway with the mainland. Its site is covered with
ruins of a most interesting character in every direction. The Triopian
promontory, evidently alluded to by Pliny, is the modern Cape Krio.
[3943] It has been remarked that in his description here Pliny is very
brief and confused, and that he may intend to give the name of Triopia
either to the small peninsula or island, or may include in this term
the western part of the whole of the larger peninsula.
[3944] Of these _conventus_. For an account of Cibyra see last page.
[3945] On the Lycus, now known as the Choruk-Su. By different writers
it has been assigned to Lydia, Caria, and Phrygia, but in the ultimate
division of the Roman provinces it was assigned to the Greater Phrygia.
It was founded by Antiochus II. on the site of a previous town, and
named in honour of his wife Laodice. Its site is occupied by ruins
of great magnificence. In the Apostolic age it was the seat of a
flourishing Christian Church, which however very soon gave signs of
degeneracy, as we learn from St. John’s Epistle to it, Revel. ii.
14-22. St. Paul also addresses it in common with the neighbouring
church of Colossæ. Its site is now called Eski-Hissar, or the Old
Castle.
[3946] A tributary of the Phrygian Mæander.
[3947] The people of Hydrela, a town of Caria, said to have been
founded by one of three brothers who emigrated from Sparta.
[3948] The people of Themisonium, now called Tseni.
[3949] The people of Hierapolis, a town of Phrygia, situate on a
height between the rivers Lycus and Mæander, about five miles north
of Laodicea, on the road from Apamea to Sardis. It was celebrated for
its warm springs, and its Plutonium, or cave of Pluto, from which
issued a mephitic vapour of a poisonous nature; see B. ii. c. 95. The
Christian Church here is alluded to by St. Paul in his Epistle to the
Colossians, iv. 13. Its ruins are situate at an uninhabited place
called Pambuk-Kalessi.
[3950] Situate in the north of Phrygia Salutaris; its ruins being
probably those to be seen at Afiour-Kara-Hisar. From the time of
Constantine this place became the capital of Phrygia Salutaris. It
stood in a fruitful plain, near a mountain quarry of the celebrated
Synnadic marble, which was white with red veins and spots. This marble
was also called “Docimiticus,” from Docimia, a nearer place.
[3951] As already mentioned in C. 25 of the present Book.
[3952] The site of Appia does not appear to be known. Cicero speaks
of an application made to him by the Appiani, when he was governor of
Cilicia, respecting the taxes with which they were burdened, and the
buildings of their town.
[3953] Eucarpia was a town of Phrygia, not far from the sources of the
Mæander, on the road from Dorylæum to Apamea Cibotus. The vine grew
there in great luxuriance, and to its fruitfulness the town probably
owed its name. Kiepert places it in the vicinity of Segielar, but its
exact site is unknown.
[3954] The site of Dorylæum is now called Eski-Shehr. The hot-baths
here are mentioned by Athenæus, and its waters were pleasant to the
taste. Sheep-feeding appears to have been carried on here to a great
extent, and under the Greek empire it was a flourishing place. The site
of Midæum does not seem to be known.
[3955] The people of Julia, Juliopolis, or Julianopolis, a town of
Lydia, probably to the south of Mount Tmolus.
[3956] This place was built near Celænæ by Antiochus Soter, and named
after his mother Apama. Strabo says that it lay at the mouth of the
river Marsyas. Its site has been fixed at the modern Denair. Some
ancient ruins are to be seen.
[3957] Pliny commits an error here; Celænæ was a different place from
Apamea, though close to it.
[3958] Meaning the “Fountains of the Pipe,” and probably deriving
its name from the legend here mentioned by Pliny, and in B. xvi. c.
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