Chapter 39

2377Malta.

2378Towards Africa and the south.

2379Μελιταῖα.

2380All other classic authors, both Greek and Latin, give the name of Gaulus to this island; it is the modern Gozzo.

2381Pantelaria.

2382This M. Gossellin very satisfactorily proves to be 88.

2383A note in the French translation observes, that the Iapygia of Strabo was confined to the peninsula of Tarentum.

2384The Sallentini, or Salentini, cannot be distinguished with accuracy from the Calabri, as the name is used by several writers in a very extensive sense, and applied to the greater part of Iapygia.

2385Capo di Leuca.

2386The district occupied by the Calabri seems to have been that maritime part of the Iapygian peninsula extending from the ancient Brundusium to the city of Hydruntum, answering nearly to what is now called Terra di Lecce.

2387Dionysius of Halicarnassius derives the name of this people from Peucetius, son of Lycaon king of Arcadia, but they are generally spoken of in history as barbarians, differing in no essential respect from the Daunii, Iapyges, and other neighbouring nations.

2388A note in the French translation remarks, that Strabo would have done well to add, “and also the Apuli properly so called.” If we follow Strabo’s testimony solely, we may almost describe the bounds of the Peucetii by four lines, viz. 1. From Tarentum to Brindisi. 2. Along the sea-shore from Brindisi to Bari. 3. From Bari to Garagnone or Gorgoglione, the ancient Sylvium, if not even still nearer to Venosa. 4. From Garagnone to Tarentum, constituting what is called in modern geography Terra di Bari—The following are the limits of the Daunii. 1. From Garagnone to Bari. 2. From Bari to Peschici or to Rodi. 3. Thence to Lucera; and, 4. from Lucera to Garagnone. Thus they occupied a great part of La Puglia, with a portion of the Terra di Bari. With regard to those who, according to Strabo, were properly Apuli, they extended from the neighbourhood of Lucera to Rodi or Peschici, thence to the mouth of the river Fortore, thence to Civitate, (the ancient Teanum Apulum,) which was included, and from Civitate to Lucera; this district would answer to the northern portion of La Puglia, which the Fortore separates from La Capitanata.

2389The name of Pœdiculi was given to the inhabitants of that portion of Peucetia which was more particularly situated on the coast between the Aufidus and the confines of the Calabri. Pliny (iii. 11) states that this particular tribe derived their origin from Illyria.

2390Brindisi.

2391Capo di Leuca.

2392We have followed Groskurd’s example in introducing this thousand. The French translators thought it too hardy to venture, and Kramer was fearful to insert it in his text, but he approves of it in his notes.

2393Manuscripts here have blanks.

2394Ruins near Torre a Mare.

2395Mare-piccolo.

2396Or twelve miles and a half. This computation does not agree with modern measurements, which reckon the circuit at sixteen miles. See Swinburne’s Travels, tom. i. sect. 32. Gagliardi, Topogr. di Taranto.

2397In the year 213 or 212B. C.

2398B. C.209.

2399It is said the pictures and statues taken on this occasion were nearly as numerous as those found at Syracuse.

2400That which commenced about 743B. C.

2401I have here translated τοῖς τοῦ δήμου and οἱ τοῦ δήμου by “free citizens”. Several notes have been written on the exact meaning of the words, but I am not satisfied that we understand it properly. It might perhaps mean those appointed to the chief rule of the state by the constitution.

2402There is little doubt that this passage is corrupt.

2403κυνέη, a leathern cap or hat, a helmet, &c. See also page 426.

2404About eight miles to the east or south-east of Taranto, upon the coast, we find a place named Saturo. In this place the country open to the south presents the most agreeable aspect. Sheltered from the north wind, and watered by numerous running streams, it produces the choicest fruits, oranges, citrons, lemons, pomegranates, figs, and all manner of garden produce, with which Taranto is abundantly supplied. Ant. de Ferrar. Galat. de sit. Iapyg.edit. nell.Raccolt. d’ Opusc. sc. et philol. tom. vii. p. 80.

2405Mazoch. Prod. ad Heracl. pseph. diatr. ii. cap. 4, sect. 4, page 96, not. 51, considers that we should not make a distinction between these barbarians and Cretans, but that they were identical.

2406According to Sicilian topographers, Camici was the same as the citadel of Acragas [Girgenti].—Cluvier, Sic. Ant. lib. ii. cap. 15, p. 207, is of opinion that Camici occupied the site of Siculiana, on the Fiume delle Canne. D’Anville, Géogr. Anc. tom. i. p. 219, and tom. iii. p. 146, seems to locate Camici at Platanella, on the Fiume di Platani.

2407There are various readings of this name.

2408There is a tradition that Taras was born to Neptune by Satyræa, daughter of Minos.

2409About 745B. C.

2410Statius, lib. 4, Theb., thus mentions Ithome,“Planaque Messena, montanaque nutrit Ithome.”

2410Statius, lib. 4, Theb., thus mentions Ithome,

“Planaque Messena, montanaque nutrit Ithome.”

2411πῖλος Λακωνικός.

2412See Heyne, Opusc. Acad. tom. ii. p. 223, not. h.

2413He is said to have entertained Plato during his sojourn here. Archytas flourished about the commencement of the fourth centuryB. C., and was still living in the year 349B. C.

2414About 332 or 339B. C.See Heyn. Opusc. Acad. tom. ii. p. 141.

2415About 338B. C.

2416About 303B. C.

2417About 330B. C.

2418About 281B. C.

2419Cramer, in his Ancient Italy, has very justly remarked that the name of the small river Calandro, which discharges itself into the sea a little below Capo di Roseto, bears some affinity to the river Acalandrus mentioned by Strabo. However, some have thought it identical with the Salandrella and the Fiume di Roseto, while Cluverius was of opinion that we should here read Κυλίσταρνος instead of Ἀκάλανδρος, and identify it with the modern Racanello.

2420326B. C.

2421209B. C.

2422124B. C.

2423Some suspect this last sentence to be an interpolation; certain it is that there is great difficulty in finding a time to correspond with all the circumstances contained in it. According to M. Heyne, this war must have taken place 474B. C., but then Heraclea was not founded till 436B. C.It seems too that the people of Iapygia had kings as late as 480B. C.

2424Brundusium, now Brindisi.

2425Castro. This temple is now changed into the church of Sancta Maria in finibus terræ. See Capmart. de Chaupy, tom. iii. page 529.

2426Capo di Leuca. Pliny, lib. iii. cap. 11, says, Inde promontorium quod Acran Iapygian vocant, quo longissime in maria procurrit Italia. The Promontorium Iapygium, or Sallentinum, presented a conspicuous landmark to mariners sailing from Greece to Sicily. The fleets of Athens, after passing the Peloponnesus, are represented on this passage as usually making for Corcyra, from whence they steered straight across to the promontory, and then coasted along the south of Italy for the remainder of the voyage.

2427The south-east.

2428The Acra Iapygia.

2429See notes to page 393 of this translation.

2430Cramer remarks that Veretum is still represented by the old church of S. Maria di Vereto.

2431That is, on land.

2432Scylax, Peripl. p. 5, speaks of the Leuterni as a really existing people.

2433Now Otranto. Lucan, book v. verse 374, speaking of the little river Idro which runs close to Otranto, says,Et cunctas revocare rates, quas avius Hydrûs,Antiquusque Taras, secretaque litora Leucæ.Quas recipit Salapina palus, et subdita SipusMontibus.And Cicero, writing of the town to Tyro, book xvi. epistle 9, says of his voyage from Cassiope, Inde Austro lenissimo, cœlo sereno, nocte illa et die postero in Italiam ad Hydruntem ludibundi pervenimus. This place was called Hydruntum by Pliny and other authors.

2433Now Otranto. Lucan, book v. verse 374, speaking of the little river Idro which runs close to Otranto, says,

Et cunctas revocare rates, quas avius Hydrûs,Antiquusque Taras, secretaque litora Leucæ.Quas recipit Salapina palus, et subdita SipusMontibus.

Et cunctas revocare rates, quas avius Hydrûs,

Antiquusque Taras, secretaque litora Leucæ.

Quas recipit Salapina palus, et subdita Sipus

Montibus.

And Cicero, writing of the town to Tyro, book xvi. epistle 9, says of his voyage from Cassiope, Inde Austro lenissimo, cœlo sereno, nocte illa et die postero in Italiam ad Hydruntem ludibundi pervenimus. This place was called Hydruntum by Pliny and other authors.

2434Now Saseno, distant 35 minutes from Otranto.

2435B. C.239.

2436We have followed Kramer’s text in calling this place Aletia, several MSS. read Salepia. Cramer, in his description of Ancient Italy, vol. ii. p. 316, says, Aletium is naturally supposed to have occupied the site of the church of S. Maria della Lizza.—It was called Ἀλήτιον by Ptolemy.

2437We have followed Kramer’s reading; some MSS. have Θυρέαι, some Θυραῖαι, &c.

2438lit. of a certain one of the nobles.

2439Οὐρία, MSS., but a note in the French translation explains that Strabo was quoting Herodotus from memory. We follow Kramer.

2440B. C.1353.

2441Brindisi.

2442AboutB. C.1323.

2443Great changes have taken place in this locality since Strabo’s description was drawn.

2444Torre d’ Agnazzo.

2445Ceglie, south of Bari.

2446Now Noja; but the identity of this place has been much canvassed.

2447Canosa.

2448Now Ordona, about twelve miles to the east of Æca, now Troja. Livy records the defeat of the Roman forces at this place in two successive years. Hannibal removed the inhabitants and fired the town, (Livy xxvii. 1,) but it was subsequently repaired, and is noticed by Frontinus as Ardona. Ptolemy and Silius Italicus, viii. 568, mention it as Herdonia—. . . . . . . . . quosqueObscura inculsis Herdonia misit ab agris.

. . . . . . . . . quosqueObscura inculsis Herdonia misit ab agris.

. . . . . . . . . quosque

Obscura inculsis Herdonia misit ab agris.

2449Oria.

2450Venosa.

2451Paolisi.

2452Le Galazze.

2453S. Maria di Capoa.

2454Capoa Nova.

2455Monte Dragone, or Mondragone.

2456At Capua, now S. Maria di Capua.

2457Eustathius explains that those mountains were called Ceraunian from the frequent falling of thunderbolts upon them. Τὰ Κεραύνια ὄρη, οὕτω καλούμενα διὰ τὸ συχνοὺς ἐκεῖ πίπτειν κεραυνούς.

2458Durazzo.

2459It seems as if some words had been skipped in this place, for we should expect to have the distance of the other passage to the Ceraunian Mountains, but Strabo no where mentions it.

2460M. Gossellin seems to think we should here read 800 and not 1800 stadia; but Kramer reckons it improbable. Groskurd concurs essentially with the opinion of M. Gossellin, and translates it something as follows: “for it is 1000, while the former is 800 stadia across.”

2461Now Torre d’ Agnazzo.

2462Bari.

2463Silvium was situated on the Appian Way. Holstenius and Pratilli agree in fixing its position at Garagnone, about 15 miles to the south-west of Venosa. Holsten. Adnot. p. 281. Pratilli, Via Appia, l. iv. c. 7.

2464About 310 stadia.

2465The Aufidus, celebrated by Horace, Od. iv. 9,“Ne forte credas interitura, quæLonge sonantem natus ad Aufidum,Non ante vulgatas per artesVerba loquor socianda chordis.”

2465The Aufidus, celebrated by Horace, Od. iv. 9,

“Ne forte credas interitura, quæLonge sonantem natus ad Aufidum,Non ante vulgatas per artesVerba loquor socianda chordis.”

“Ne forte credas interitura, quæ

Longe sonantem natus ad Aufidum,

Non ante vulgatas per artes

Verba loquor socianda chordis.”

2466M. Gossellin considers this rather too much, and supposes 315 stadia would be nearer the truth.

2467Ruins now called Salpi.

2468Now Lucera.

2469See book v. c. 1, § 9, p. 320. Ptolemy makes these five, which is the number of the isles of Tremiti at present, if we include in the group three barren rocks, which scarce deserve the name of islands. One was called Diomedea by Pliny, and Tremitus by Tacitus, who states that Augustus appointed it as the prison of his grand-daughter Julia; the second was called Teutria. The largest is at present called Isola San Domino, the other Isola San Nicolo.

2470Book v. c. i. § 9, p. 320.

2471Siponto, a place in ruins near Manfredonia.

2472Sestini describes a gold coin belonging to this city, on which the emblem of a cuttle fish in Greek, σηπία, is apparent. The legend is Σιπο. Sestini descrizione d’ una Med. p. 16.

2473Lycophron calls this stream by the name of Althænus.

2474Groskurd is of opinion that some words to the following effect have been accidentally lost from this place, viz. “The coast of Daunia forms an extensive bay about these parts.”

2475Now Punta di Viesti. Strabo seems to have considered the whole of the extensive neck of land lying between the bay of Rodi and that of Manfredonia, as the Garganum Promontorium. Lucan, v. 380, thus describes its prominence,Apulus Hadriacas exit Garganus in undas.

Apulus Hadriacas exit Garganus in undas.

2476About 37 miles towards the east.

2477Rodi.

2478See book v. c. i. § 9, p. 320.

2479Brindisi.

2480M. Gossellin gives a long note to show that the chorographer and Artemidorus were both correct in the distances they gave, but asserts that Strabo was mistaken as to the length of the stadium used by Artemidorus, and consequently thought he saw a discrepancy between their accounts.

2481The ancient Æsis.

2482We think, with Kramer, that Sena Gallica, now Sinigaglia, was the city Strabo intends.

2483From the Capo della Linguetta, on the coast of Albania.

2484The town of Aquileia.

2485M. Gossellin suggests that Strabo omitted the coast of Istria in his calculations, when he made this observation on the length of the Illyrian shore, and refers to what Strabo will himself state in book vii. chap. v. sections 3, 4, and 9, and to his estimate of 6150 stadia from the Ceraunian Mountains to Iapygia in book ii. chap. iv. § 3, p. 159.

2486Doubtless the bight between the shore, adjacent to Peschici, to the north of Viesti, and the Punta d’ Asinella.

2487A note in the French translation observes that the Apuli, properly so called, could but have occupied the shore of half this bay, for the Fortore falls into it just about the centre, which river was a common boundary between the Apuli and Frentani.

2488B. C.216.

2489Cramer says, the lake which Strabo speaks of as being near Teanum, but without mentioning its name, is called by Pliny Lacus Pontanus, (iii. 11,) now Lago di Lesina.

2490The city of Teanum stood on the right bank of the Fortore, the ancient Frento; its ruins are stated to exist on the site of Civitate, about a mile from the right bank of the Fortore, and ten miles from the sea. Cramer, vol. ii. p. 273.

2491Now Teano, six miles from Sessa, and fifteen from Capua.

2492Pozzuolo.

2493M. Gossellin observes that from the head of the bay of Naples to the shores bordering the ancient Teanum, there are 80 minutes, or 933 stadia of 700.

2494Romanelli is of opinion that the ruins of Buca exist at the present Penna.

2495Book v. chap. iv. § 2, p. 359.

2496In the year 747B. C.

2497In the year 594B. C.

2498The Latins were first subjected in 499B. C., but not totally subjugated; the Sabines were almost annihilated in the war which happened about 450B. C.

2499See Polyb. Hist. book i. chap. vi. § 1, edit. Schweigh, tom. i. p. 12.

2500This battle was fought in the year 405B. C.

2501Concluded 387B. C.

2502About 338B. C.

2503About 310B. C.

2504About 275B. C.

2505In the year 264B. C.

2506In the year 241B. C.

2507218B. C.

2508146B. C.

2509Λιβύη.

2510The ancient Halys.

2511Antiochus ceded Asia Minor in the yearB. C.189.

2512Perseus was taken in the yearB. C.167.

2513Ister.

2514In the yearB. C.133.

2515In the yearB. C.140.

2516B. C.72.

2517The inhabitants of Biscay.

2518B. C.19.

2519AboutA. D.17 or 18.

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