Chapter 37

2130There have been many suggestions for the correction of this passage. Kramer thinks that Cluverius was happy in proposing Ποταμὸς instead of Μέταυρος, and that then the Cratais, now Solano, or Fiume de’ Pesci, would be the river which Strabo intended.

2131According to Pliny, these two promontories were separated by an interval of twelve stadia, or a mile and a half, which accords with the statement of Polybius. Thucydides, however, allows about two miles and a half, which he considers to be the utmost possible distance. Topographers are divided as to the exact point of the Italian coast which answers to Cape Cænys. The Calabrian geographers say the Punta del Pezzo, called also Coda del Volpe, in which opinion Cluverius and D’Anville coincide, but Holstenius contends for the Torre del Cavallo, which the French translators seem to favour. In fact, that may be the narrowest point, still it does not answer so well to Strabo’s description of the figure and bearing of Cape Cænys as the Punta del Pezzo.

2132The temple or altar of Neptune.

2133The Columna Rhegina, as remarked by Cramer, (vol. ii. p. 427,) was probably a pillar set up to mark the consular road leading to the south of Italy. Strabo speaks of it as a small tower (book iii. c. v. § 5, p. 265). In the Itinerary of Antoninus it is simply termed Columna, but in the inscription relative to the Via Aquilia, it is called Statua. The situation of this tower is generally identified with the site of La Catona.

2134Now Reggio, one of the most celebrated and flourishing cities of Magna Grecia, founded about 696 yearsB. C.Cato affirms that it was once in the possession of the Aurunci. The connexion which subsisted between Rhegium and the Chalcidian colonies in Sicily, induced its inhabitants to take part with the Athenians in their first hostilities against the Syracusans and Locrians. In the great Sicilian expedition, the Rhegians observed a strict neutrality. While the Athenian fleet was moored in their roads, they refused to admit the army within their walls, which therefore encamped near the temple of Diana outside the town. Rhegium subsequently pursued a similar policy, and suffered severely under tyrants, but the Roman senate at length freed the unfortunate citizens.

2135Strabo here alludes to the crime which was perpetrated in the reign of Teleclus, about 811 years before the Christian era. The division of the Messenians into two parties, the one wishing and the other refusing to give satisfaction, lasted about 150 years. See book vi. cap. iii. § 3.

2136It was taken by the Lacedæmonians aboutB. C.668.

2137It seems probable that Strabo here refers to Morgantium in Sicily, which had disappeared in his days, and which he mentions in b. vi. c. 11. § 4.

2138Sextus Pompeius, having received from the senate the command of the fleet,B. C.43, in a short time made himself master of Sicily, which he held till 36.

2139This is a quotation from one of the missing works of Æschylus.

2140Virgil speaks of this great catastrophe, Æn. iii. 414,“Hæc loca, vi quondam et vasta convulsa ruina(Tantum ævi longinqua valet mutare vetustas,)Dissiluisse ferunt: cum protinus utraque tellusUna foret, venit medio vi pontus, et undisHesperium Siculo latus abscidit: arvaque et urbesLitore diductas angusto interluit æstu.”

2140Virgil speaks of this great catastrophe, Æn. iii. 414,

“Hæc loca, vi quondam et vasta convulsa ruina(Tantum ævi longinqua valet mutare vetustas,)Dissiluisse ferunt: cum protinus utraque tellusUna foret, venit medio vi pontus, et undisHesperium Siculo latus abscidit: arvaque et urbesLitore diductas angusto interluit æstu.”

“Hæc loca, vi quondam et vasta convulsa ruina

(Tantum ævi longinqua valet mutare vetustas,)

Dissiluisse ferunt: cum protinus utraque tellus

Una foret, venit medio vi pontus, et undis

Hesperium Siculo latus abscidit: arvaque et urbes

Litore diductas angusto interluit æstu.”

2141Procida.

2142It appears from the more ancient coins of Rhegium, that the original name wasRecion. In these the epigraph isRec. Reci. Recinos, in characters partaking more of the Oscan than the Greek form; those of more recent date are decidedly Greek, ΡΗΓ. ΡΗΓΙΝΩΝ, being inscribed on them. A note in the French translation shows that the inhabitants of Rhegium did not participate in the rights of Roman citizens till about 90 years before the Christian era.

2143Among these were many followers of Pythagoras, also Theagenes, Hippys, Lycus surnamed Butera, and Glaucus, who were historians; Ibycus, Cleomenes, and Lycus the adoptive father of Lycophron, who were poets; Clearchus and Pythagoras, who were sculptors.

2144The Rhegians firmly opposed the designs of this tyrant; and when, under pretence of courting their alliance, he sought a consort from their city, they replied with independent feeling that he might have their hangman’s daughter. (See Diodorus Siculus, xiv. 44.) Had the other states of Magna Grecia displayed the same energy, the ambitious views of this artful prince might have been frustrated; but after the defeat of their forces on the Elleporus, now Callipari, they succumbed, and Rhegium, after a gallant defence which lasted nearly a year, was compelled to yield, about the year 398B. C.The insulting tyrant sentenced the heroic Phyton, who had commanded the town, to a cruel death, and removed the few inhabitants that remained to Sicily.

2145B. C.360.

2146B. C.280.

2147B. C.91.

2148The defeat of Sextus Pompeius is referred to the year 36B. C., but there is no precise date mentioned for the establishment of the veteran soldiers in Rhegium, which probably took place about the year 31B. C.

2149Pliny computes the distance from Rhegium to Cape Leucopetra at 12 miles; there is probably some error in the text, as there is no cape which corresponds with the distance of 50 stadia from Rhegium. A note in the French translation proposes to read 100 instead of 50 stadia. Topographers are not agreed in fixing the situation of the celebrated Leucopetra. D’Anville places it at Capo Pittaro, Grimaldi at the Punta della Saetta, and Cluverius, Holstenius, and Cellarius at the Capo dell’Armi. This latter opinion seems more compatible with the statement of Pliny, and is also more generally accredited.

2150The Herculeum Promontorium is known in modern geography as Capo Spartivento.

2151The Promontorium Iapygium, or Sallentinum, as it was sometimes called, formed a remarkable feature in the figure of Italy, while the art of navigation was in its infancy. It was a conspicuous landmark to mariners bound from the ports of Greece to Sicily. The fleets of Athens, after having circumnavigated the Peloponnesus, usually made for Corcyra, whence they steered straight across to the promontory, and then coasted along the south of Italy. It seems from Thucydides (vi. 44) that there was a haven here which afforded a shelter to vessels in tempestuous weather.

2152Now Capo di Bruzzano.

2153The one 710, the other 734 yearsB. C.

2154The opinion of Ephorus seems to be supported by many other writers, and is generally preferred by modern critics.

2155Monte Esope.

2156This wicked prince, having been expelled from Syracuse, had found refuge among the Locrians from the storm which threatened his existence; but, depraved as he was degraded, he repaid the kindness of the people, who treated him as their kinsman because his mother Doris had been the daughter of one of their principal citizens, with the basest treachery and ingratitude. He introduced into their city a number of miscreants, and having overpowered the inhabitants, gave loose to all the vicious propensities of his nature.

2157Horrid as is the vengeance which the Locri took on these unfortunate victims of a husband’s and a father’s crimes, it serves to confirm the accounts of the iniquity and barbarity of a prince, whose mean and imbecile conduct at other times sanctions the notion that his intellect was disordered.

2158We could almost wish to read this passage—“rendered them more plausible, but impaired their utility.”

2159The ancient Halex.

2160Although Strabo ascribes Mamertium to the Bruttii, it is more probable that it was a colony of Campanian mercenaries, deriving their name from Mamers, the Oscan Mars, who served under Agathocles, and other princes of Sicily. The Mamertini were employed by the Romans against Pyrrhus, whom they attacked in the woods and defiles about Rhegium. Barrio (lib. ii. c. 10) and Maraf. (lib. iii. c. 25, f. 222) have identified the site of this ancient town with Martorano, but it seems too distant from Locri and Rhegium to accord with Strabo’s description. Cluverius, D’Anville, and Romanelli place it at Oppido, a bishop’s see above Reggio, and Gerace, where old coins are said to have been discovered. Cramer (vol. ii. p. 439) thinks that the Melæ mentioned by Thucydides may have been identical with Mamertium. Several remains of antiquity exist on the site called Mela, in the vicinity of Oppido.

2161The pix Bruttia is noticed by Pliny, Columella, Dioscorides, and other authorities mentioned by Bochart, Canaan, p. 595. Bochart looks upon the Bruttii as a people known to the Phœnicians at a very remote period.

2162Geographers differ much as to the modern river which corresponds to this stream. Romanelli and Swinburne consider it to be the Alaro.

2163During the war against Pyrrhus, whose cause was espoused by Caulonia, the city was pillaged by the Mamertini, the allies of the Romans. The town was subsequently occupied by the Bruttii, who defended it against the Romans in the second Punic war. Barrio and other Calabrian topographers have fixed its site at Castro Vetere, but Strabo placed it on the left bank of the Sagras, which is inconsistent with their supposition, and it is still a subject of inquiry.

2164Cluvier (Sicil. ant. lib. ii.) reckons this place was situated between Caltanis and Pietrapreccia.

2165Now Squillace.

2166Servius observes that these Athenians were returning from Africa, Serv. Æn. iii. 552.

2167Saumaise (Exercit. Plin. p. 47, 57) thinks the true reading should be Scylaceium, or Virgil could not have made the penultimate long.... Attollit se diva Lacinia contraCaulonisque arces, et navifragum Scylaceum.Æn. iii. 652.

2167Saumaise (Exercit. Plin. p. 47, 57) thinks the true reading should be Scylaceium, or Virgil could not have made the penultimate long.

... Attollit se diva Lacinia contraCaulonisque arces, et navifragum Scylaceum.Æn. iii. 652.

... Attollit se diva Lacinia contra

Caulonisque arces, et navifragum Scylaceum.

Æn. iii. 652.

2168AboutB. C.389.

2169Book vi. cap. i. § 4.

2170Pliny seems to attribute to Dionysius the elder the project of cutting not walling off the isthmus: “Itaque Dionysius major intercisam eo loco adjicere Siciliæ voluit.” Hist. Nat. lib. iii. § 15. Grimaldi also is of opinion that the circumstance mentioned by Strabo should be referred to the first years of Dionysius the younger, aboutB. C.366-359.

2171By those who dwelt without, Strabo doubtless intended the Crotoniatæ, and their allies.

2172These three capes are now called Capo delle Castella, Capo Rizzuto, and Capo della Nave.

2173Lacinium was about six miles from Crotona. The celebrated temple of Juno derived its name from the promontory. According to Diodorus Siculus, some ascribe its origin to Hercules. (Diod. Sic. iv. 24.) Its ruins are in the early Doric style, with fluted pillars broader at the base than at the capital. It measured about 132 yards in length, and 66 in breadth. Its principal entrance opened to the west.

2174Gosselin follows the opinion that Polybius wrote 1300 stadia.

2175The Strait of Sicily.

2176The modern names of Cape Lacinium, viz. Capo delle Colonne and Capo Nao, are derived from the remains of the temple, which is still visible on its summit.

2177The text is here evidently deficient. Groskurd says that Strabo most probably wrote as follows, “As the chorographer says, Artemidorus reckons that [the journey would take 12 days for one travelling on foot], with his girdle on; [but, to one sailing, the distance is 2000 stadia:] leaving at the same time as many [for the mouth, as Polybius has given] for the breadth of the mouth of the gulf.” The French translators, however, have attempted to read the text as follows, “The chorographer makes it 240 miles, and Artemidorus says that it is 380 for a light traveller; a computation in which the breadth of the mouth is not included;” but comment on it in several extensive notes.

2178South-east.

2179The ancient Æsar.

2180Groskurd observes, Im Texte καὶ λιμὴν. Besser also, liest man mitCluv.λίμνη, and translates it “a salt-marsh;” but Cramer, in his description of ancient Italy, observes that the mouth of the river Esaro formed a haven, which, however incommodious compared with those of Tarentum and Brundusium, was long a source of great wealth to Crotona, as we are assured by Polybius, Frag. x. 1.

2181Neæthus. This river was said to derive its name from the circumstance of the captive Trojan women having there set fire to the Grecian fleet.

2182Νέαιθος, from νῆας and αἰθεῖν, “to burn the ships.”

2183There is much obscurity in this oracular response. The various manuscripts offer many readings.

2184A note in the French translation observes that the establishment of Myscellus at Crotona took place about 709 or 703 yearsB. C., and that Syracuse was founded as early as 735 yearsB. C.

2185According to some traditions, Crotona was very ancient, and derived its name from the hero Croto. Thus Ovid:“Vixque pererratis quæ spectant littora terris,Invenit Æsarei fatalia fluminis ora:Nec procul hinc tumulum, sub quo sacrata CrotonisOssa tegebat humus. Jussaque ibi mœnia terraCondidit; et nomen tumulati traxit in urbem.”Ovid. Metam. xv. 53.

2185According to some traditions, Crotona was very ancient, and derived its name from the hero Croto. Thus Ovid:

“Vixque pererratis quæ spectant littora terris,Invenit Æsarei fatalia fluminis ora:Nec procul hinc tumulum, sub quo sacrata CrotonisOssa tegebat humus. Jussaque ibi mœnia terraCondidit; et nomen tumulati traxit in urbem.”Ovid. Metam. xv. 53.

“Vixque pererratis quæ spectant littora terris,

Invenit Æsarei fatalia fluminis ora:

Nec procul hinc tumulum, sub quo sacrata Crotonis

Ossa tegebat humus. Jussaque ibi mœnia terra

Condidit; et nomen tumulati traxit in urbem.”

Ovid. Metam. xv. 53.

2186Milo is said to have carried off the prize for wrestling from the 62nd Olympiad,B. C.532, and also to have commanded the 100,000 Crotoniatæ who engaged the hostile armies of Sybaris and destroyed their city, aboutB. C.509. Diod. Sic. xii. 9, &c.

2187Sybaris was said to have been founded by the people of Trœzene not long after the siege of Troy. Aristot. Politic. lib. v. cap. 3. Solin. viii. But these were subsequently joined by a more numerous colony of Achæans, aboutB. C.720. Euseb. Chron. ii.

2188ὁ Κρᾶθις. There was a stream of the same name in Achaia, from whence the Italian Crathis, now Crati, derived its name. The Crathis and Sybaris now join about 14 miles from the sea.

2189Now Cochile.

2190Koray objected to the old reading, ὁ Ἰσελικεὺς, and proposed instead Οἰς.... Ἑλικεὺς; Groskurd thought it better to translate it Ihr Erbauer war Is.... aus Helike; and Kramer has adopted this latter view, which we have followed.

2191Helice was mentioned, book i. chap. iii. § 18. Ovid, Metam. xv. 293, also speaks of this city,“Si quæras Helicen et Buram Achaïdas urbes,Invenies sub aquis....”

2191Helice was mentioned, book i. chap. iii. § 18. Ovid, Metam. xv. 293, also speaks of this city,

“Si quæras Helicen et Buram Achaïdas urbes,Invenies sub aquis....”

“Si quæras Helicen et Buram Achaïdas urbes,

Invenies sub aquis....”

2192The Epitome gives nine days.

2193The events which led to this catastrophe are thus related by Diodorus Siculus: “A democratical party, at the head of which was Telys, having gained the ascendency, expelled 500 of the principal citizens, who sought refuge at Crotona. This city, upon receiving a summons to give up the fugitives, or prepare for war, by the advice of Pythagoras chose the latter. The armies met near the river Triunti, in the territory of Crotona, where the brave citizens gained a complete victory.”

2194At the instigation of Pericles, the Athenians sent out a colony under the command of Lampon and Xenocritus, which arrived about 55 years after the overthrow of Sybaris. Two celebrated characters are named among those who joined this expedition, which was collected from different parts of Greece. These were Herodotus, and Lysias the orator.

2195Compare Ælian. Hist. Anim. ii. 36.

2196FromB. C.390 to 290.

2197AboutB. C.194.

2198Cæsar however calls it Thurii, and designates it a municipal town. Civ. Bell. iii. 22.

2199Now La Nucara.

2200It is not ascertained whether this leader were the architect of the Horse of Troy.

2201Antiquaries seem agreed in fixing the site of this town at Policoro, about three miles from the mouth of the Agri, where considerable remains are still visible. The city is famous as the seat of the general council of the Greek states, and the celebrated bronze tables on which the learned Mazzocchi bestowed so much labour were discovered near its site. Its coins represent Hercules contending with the lion, and bear the epigraph ΗΡΑ or ΗΡΑΚΛΗΙΩΝ.

2202Ἄκιρις.

2203Σῖρις.

2204This accords very well with the distance given in the Itinerary of Antoninus.

2205AboutB. C.580.

2206Kramer reads χώνων in the text. We have followed the opinion of the French translators, who have rendered it “possédée par des Troyens.” MSS. give various readings.

2207Kramer reads ἐπὶ Τεύθραντος, but thinks with Groskurd that ἐπὶ τοῦ Τράεντος, the Traens or modern Trionto, is the true reading.

2208AboutB. C.444.

2209AboutB. C.433.

2210In the time of Pausanias, this city was a heap of ruins, and nothing remained standing but the walls and theatre. Considerable vestiges, situated near the station called Torre di Mare, indicate the site it anciently adorned.

2211θέρος χρυσοῦν. Xylander and others have thought this was a statue representing Summer; others have reckoned that golden sheaves were intended. The coins of Metapontium, which are greatly admired as works of art, have a head of Ceres, and on the reverse an ear of corn. A large sum of these might be justly called a golden harvest.

2212Neleus had twelve sons, eleven of whom were slain by Hercules, while Nestor alone escaped; we must therefore infer from this passage, that rites were celebrated at Metapontium in honour of his brothers.

2213The Greek words might either mean that Metapontium was destroyed or that the sacrifices were abolished. From the succeeding sentence it would be most natural to suppose that Strabo meant to say the city was overthrown.

2214These words are not in the Greek text, but seem to have been accidentally omitted by the transcriber.

2215A city of Phocis, now Krisso.

2216The ordinary reading is Trinacis, but Kramer found it given Thrinacia in the Vatican Manuscript, No. 482, which seems to suit the rest of the sentence better. Dionysius Perieg. vers. 467, says,Τρινακίη δ’ ἐπὶ τῇσιν, ὑπὲρ πέδον ΑὐσονιήωνἘκτέταται.And Homer, Strabo’s great geographical authority, in book xi. of the Odyssey, line 106, terms it Θρινακίῃ νήσῳ. Virgil, Æn. iii. 440, says,“Trinacria fines Italos mittere relicta.”

2216The ordinary reading is Trinacis, but Kramer found it given Thrinacia in the Vatican Manuscript, No. 482, which seems to suit the rest of the sentence better. Dionysius Perieg. vers. 467, says,

Τρινακίη δ’ ἐπὶ τῇσιν, ὑπὲρ πέδον ΑὐσονιήωνἘκτέταται.

Τρινακίη δ’ ἐπὶ τῇσιν, ὑπὲρ πέδον Αὐσονιήων

Ἐκτέταται.

And Homer, Strabo’s great geographical authority, in book xi. of the Odyssey, line 106, terms it Θρινακίῃ νήσῳ. Virgil, Æn. iii. 440, says,

“Trinacria fines Italos mittere relicta.”

2217Capo Passaro.

2218Capo di Marsalla, or Capo Boeo.

2219The south-west.

2220Milazzo.

2221S. Maria di Tindaro.

2222The MSS. of Strabo read Agathyrsum, but the town is more commonly called Agathyrnum. Livy, book xxvi. cap. 40, and Silius Italicus, book xiv. ver. 260, call it Agathyrna. Cluverius considers it to have been situated near S. Marco; others would place it nearer to Capo d’ Orlando; while D’Anville is in favour of Agati.

2223I Bagni, or S. Maria de’ Palazzi. Groskurd gives it as Torre di Pittineo by Tusa, or Torre di Tusa. Cicero writes the name without a diphthong, “statim Messana litteras Halesam mittit.” Cic. in Verr. ii. c. 7. Diodorus spells it Ἄλεσα. Silius Italicus, lib. xiv. ver. 219, makes the penultimate long:“Venit ab amne trahens nomen Gela, venit Halæsa.”And the inscription in Gruter, p. 212, gives the name of the river near it, Αλαισος.

“Venit ab amne trahens nomen Gela, venit Halæsa.”

And the inscription in Gruter, p. 212, gives the name of the river near it, Αλαισος.

2224Cefalù.

2225Modern critics consider this to be the Fiume-Grande, which takes its rise near Polizzi and the Fiume Salso, the latter flows from a source within a few miles of the Fiume-Grande, and after a course of about 80 miles, falls into the sea near Alicata. The Fiume Salso was also called Himera, and both rivers taken to be one.

2226Palermo.

2227Castel-à-Mare.

2228Capo Boeo.

2229Probably ruins at the embouchure of the Platani. Groskurd also gives for it Bissenza.

2230At the mouth of the Fiume di Girgenti. Virgil calls Agrigentum by the Greek name, Æn. iii. 703,“Arduus inde Acragas ostentat maxima longeMœnia, magnanimûm quondam generator equorum.”

2230At the mouth of the Fiume di Girgenti. Virgil calls Agrigentum by the Greek name, Æn. iii. 703,

“Arduus inde Acragas ostentat maxima longeMœnia, magnanimûm quondam generator equorum.”

“Arduus inde Acragas ostentat maxima longe

Mœnia, magnanimûm quondam generator equorum.”

2231As the distance from Agrigentum to Camarina greatly exceeds another 20 miles, Kramer supposes that the words, “and to Gela, 20,” have been omitted by the copyist.

2232Torre di Camarana.

2233The Paris MS. No. 1393, used by the French translators, has 33; the Paris MS. 1396, and the Medici plut. 28, No. 5, give 20 miles.

2234Taormina.

2235Gosselin observes, that the distance from Messina to Cape Pelorias, which would complete the circuit of Sicily, is about 9 miles.

2236i. e. by land.

2237Messina.

2238An intelligent critic has imagined that this road may have been commenced by M. Valerius Maximus Messala, consul in the year 263, and censor in 253, before the Christian era. D’Orvill. Sic. c. ii. p. 12.

2239We have followed Kramer, who inserts [διακόσια] before τριάκοντα πέντε.

2240i. e. to give its parallels of latitude and longitude.

2241i. e. wherein all three sides are unequal.

2242i. e. Pelorias.

2243Or, lies towards the east, with a northern inclination.

2244South-east.

2245A river of the Peloponnesus, now called Ruféa.

2246Cape Matapan.

2247The French translation gives 1160 stadia.

2248Gossellin observes, that from Pachynus to Lilybæum the coast runs from the south to the north-west, and looks towards the south-west.

Back to Index Next