Chapter 253

2309The Piræus was united to the city by two walls, called the “Long Walls,” forty stadia in length. The length of the Phaleric wall was thirty-five stadia.

2310It is to be regretted that such was his opinion. He could have well spared space for a description of it.

2311The city of Cephisia, still called Kivisia, was one of the twelve cities of Cecrops. The fountain of transparent water is still to be seen here.

2312Or the “Nine Springs.” It was the only source of good water for drinking purposes in Athens. This spring is still called by its ancient name. Of Larine nothing seems to be known.

2313This is thought to have been the ancient name of the mountain afterwards known as Pentelicus, so famous for its marble, now called Mendeli or Penteli.

2314The northern or Greater Hymettus is now called Telo-Vuni, the southern or Lesser Mavro-Vuni.

2315On the N.E. of Athens, now called the Hill of Saint George.

2316Probably on the river of the same name.

2317Now Capo Colonna.

2318North of Sunium and the modern bay of Panorimo. Thoricus was one of the Demi of Attica.

2319This was the name of two Demi, though probably one place. It lay on the east coast to the north of Thoricus. Its harbour was probably the modern Dhaskalio; and the town is placed by Leake at the ruins called Paleokastro, to the south of the village of Dardheza.

2320On the east coast, between Prasiæ and Brauron.

2321One of the twelve ancient cities of Cecrops, on the eastern coast. Its name is supposed to be preserved in those of the villages Vraona and Paleo Vraona.

2322A Demus belonging to the tribe Æantis. It was famous for its temple of Nemesis, the goddess of retribution. The present Obrio Castro occupies its site.

2323Memorable for the defeat of the Persians by the Athenians,B.C.490. The site of the ancient town of Marathon is thought not to have been at the modern village of Marathon, but a place called Vrana, to the south of it.

2324The eastern part of the Eleusinian plain was thus called, from the Demus of Thria. Its exact site is uncertain.

2325Melite was a Demus of the tribe Cecropis, of Athens, west of the Inner Ceramicus.

2326Now Oropo, on the eastern frontiers of Bœotia and Attica, near the Euripus. It originally belonged to the Bœotians.

2327Its ruins are supposed to be those seen eight miles from Egripo. Lukisi has also been suggested.

2328Its ruins are still to be seen on the S.W. slope of Mount Faga.

2329On the S.E. slope of Mount Helicon. Its ruins are to be seen at the modern Eremo or Rimokastro.

2330Now Livadhia. The celebrated cave of Trophonius stood in its vicinity.

2331Extensive remains of it are still to be seen; but the modern town of Theba or Stiva stands only on the site of its ancient Cadmea or citadel.

2332To distinguish it from places of the same name in Egypt, Phthiotis, and Lucania.

2333On the range of mountains of that name separating Bœotia from Megaris and Attica. The forest abounded in game, and the vicinity was a favourite scene of the poetic legends. Paleovuni is the highest summit of the Heliconian range. Leake fixes the Grove of the Muses at the present church of Saint Nicholas, at the foot of Mount Marandali, one of the summits of Helicon.

2334These fountains or springs are very difficult to identify, but Hippocrene, or the “Horse-Spring” (said to have been produced by Pegasus striking the ground with his feet), was probably at the present Makariotissa; while Aganippe is the fountain that flows midway between Paleo-panaghia and Pyrgaki.

2335This place was originally a member of the Bœotian confederacy, but joined the Athenians, though it did not become an Attic Demus. Leake thinks that its ruins are those seen at Myupoli. Ross thinks that it stood to the east of Ghyfto-kastro, while other writers are of opinion that it stood more to the west, near the modern village of Kundara.

2336Razed to the ground by the Roman prætor Lucretius, for having espoused the cause of king Perseus. Its remains are seen about a mile from the village of Mazi, on the road from Thebes to Lebadæa.

2337Memorable for the defeat of the Persians under Mardonius,B.C.479.

2338Distant twenty stadia from Orchomenus. Leake places it at the modern Izamali, Forchhammer at Avro-Kastro.

2339Its site is uncertain. Leake supposes it to be at Paleokastro, between the north end of Lake Hylica and the foot of Mount Palea. Ulrichs places it at the south end of the lake.

2340The modern Kakosia occupies its site.

2341At the foot of Mount Cithæron. Leake places it eastward of Katzula, at the foot of the rocks there.

2342Leake identifies it with the ruins on the torrent of Plataniki, below the mountain of Siamata. Pausanias says it was situate seven stadia beyond Teumessus, and at the foot of Hypatus, now Siamata.

2343On Lake Copaïs. The modern village of Topolia occupies its site.

2344The waters of the Cephisus here burst forth from their subterraneous channel.

2345On Lake Copaïs. Its ruins are at a short distance to the south of the modern Kardhitza.

2346South of Mount Helicon. Its principal remains are those of its theatre, a temple of Hera, and the agora or market-place.

2347On the borders of Phocis; famous for the battles fought in its vicinity between the Athenians and Bœotians,B.C.447, and between Philip of Macedon and the Athenians and Bœotians,B.C.338, and that in which Sylla defeated the generals of MithridatesB.C.86. It stood on the site of the modern village of Kapurna.

2348On the river Copaïs, at the foot of Mount Tilphusion.

2349On the river of that name, and on the road from Thebes to Anthedon.

2350Its site appears to be unknown.

2351Enumerated by Homer with Aulis. Ancient critics have, without sufficient reason, identified it with Hysiæ.

2352It was sacked by the Athenians,B.C.413, and in ruins in the time of Pausanias.

2353The modern Grimadha or Grimala occupies its site.

2354The modern channel of Egripo.

2355The place where the Grecian fleet assembled when about to sail for Troy. Leake says that its harbour is now called Vathy, evidently from the Greekβαθὺς, “wide.”

2356So called from dwelling near Mount Cnemis.

2357Its ruins are to be seen three miles from the modern Talanti.

2358Now the Golfo di Talanti.

2359On the Eubœan Sea, which here extended to the Corinthian Gulf. It was in ruins in the time of Strabo. Cynus was the chief sea-port of the Locri Opuntii. Its site is marked by a tower called Palæopyrgo, and some ruins to the south of the village of Livanates.

2360The modern village of Lefti stands on its site, and there are some ruins to be seen.

2361In C. iv. of this Book.

2362Or Cnemides, a fortress built on the range of Mount Cnemis, near the modern Nikoraki.

2363Ravaged by Philip of Macedon. Its ruins are near the modern village of Vogdhani.

2364The Lower Larymna. Its ruins are seen between the modern Matzumadi and Martini.

2365Its ruins are to be seen near the modern Andera.

2366Between Daphnus and Cynus. Gell found its ruins on a hill near the sea-shore.

2367Its ruins are to be seen three miles from those of Thronium.

2368Now called the Gulf of Zeitoun. The people from whom it received its name were the Malienses.

2369Its ruins are two leagues from the modern town of Zeitoun.

2370Or Sperchia.

2371Strabo says that it lay below the town of Pindus. It is perhaps the present Palæo Choria.

2372Its ruins are placed by Leake near the modern Mariolates.

2373Like Pindus, one of the four towns or Tetrapolis of Doris. Its site corresponds to the modern Gravia.

2374He seems to think that the name Græcus is older than that of Hellen, in which he is supported by Apollodorus.

2375So called from Echion, fabled to have sprung from the dragon’s teeth. Its site is marked by the modern village called Akhino. The Sperchius is now called the Ellada.

2376This famous spot still retains its name. It is also called Bocca di Lupo.

2377Fromτραχὺς, “narrow,” in allusion to the narrowness of the mountain passes. Brotier places it on the site of the modern Zeitoun, but he is probably in error.

2378A peak of the range of Œta.

2379The name of a town and small district of Phthiotis: it eventually gave its name to the whole of Greece, which by its inhabitants was called Hellas.

2380Near the river Amphrysus. Leake places it at Kefalosi, at the extremity of Mount Othrys.

2381The modern Zeitoun.

2382Said to have been the city of Achilles.

2383According to Stephanus of Byzantium, Cierium was identical with Arne. Leake places it at the modern Mataranga.

2384So called from the people called Minyæ, who derived their name from Minyas, the father of Orchomenus. In the time of Strabo, this city, the capital of the Minyan empire, was in ruins. Its site is now called Seripu.

2385Leake places its site on the left bank of the Peneius, opposite the village of Gunitza.

2386The residence of Admetus, and in later times of the tyrants of Thessaly. The modern Valestina occupies its site.

2387Spoken of in C.17of the present book.

2388The ancient capital of the Pelasgi. It is now called Larissa, Larza, or Ienitchen.

2389Leake places Gomphi on the heights now called Episkopi, on the left bank of the Bliuri.

2390Its ruins are said to be seen about eight miles from the modern city of Volo.

2391The city of Volo stands on its site. The Gulf is called the Bay of Volo.

2392This is not strictly correct. Demetrias was founded by Demetrius Poliorcetes, about two or three miles to the west of Pagasa, the inhabitants of which were removed to that place. Its remains are to be seen, according to Leake, on the face of a maritime height called Goritza.

2393Pharsalus, now Farsa or Fersala, in Thessaliotis. On its plain Pompey was defeated by Cæsar,B.C.48.

2394Or Cranon; said to have been anciently called Ephyre. Leake places its site at some ruins called Palea Larissa, distant two hours and twenty-seven minutes’ journey from Larissa. It was the residence of the powerful family of the Scopadæ.

2395This range in Macedonia is now called Verria. Herodotus states that it was impassably for cold, and that beyond were the gardens of Midas, where roses grew spontaneously.

2396The name of the eastern part of the great mountain chain extending west and east from the Promontory of Acroceraunia on the Adriatic to the Thermaic Gulf. It is now called by the Greeks Elymbo, and by the Turks Semavat-Evi, the “Abode of the Celestials.” A portion of this range was called Pierus; and Ossa, now Kissavo, the “ivy-clad,” was divided from Olympus on the N.W. by the Vale of Tempe. Othrys extended from the south of Mount Pindus, to the eastern coast and the Promontory between the Gulf of Pagasa and the northern point of Eubœa.

2397Now called Plessedhi or Zagora; situate in the district of Magnesia in Thessaly, between lake Bœbeis and the Pagasæan Gulf.

2398Now the Gouropotamo.

2399Flowing into the Asopus near Thermopylæ.

2400In Pieria. Supposed to be the modern Litokhoro.

2401The modern Rajani.

2402This lake received the rivers Onchestus, Amyrus, and others. It is now called Karla, from an adjoining village which has ceased to exist. The town of Bœbe was in its vicinity.

2403Now the Salambria or Salamria.

2404Thejugerumwas properly 240 feet long and 120 broad, but Pliny uses it here solely as a measure of length; corresponding probably to the Greekπλέθρον, 100 Grecian or 104 Roman feet long. Tempe is the only channel through which the waters of the Thessalian plain flow into the sea.

2405Il. B. ii. c. 262. He alludes to the poetical legend that the Orcus or Titaresius was a river of the infernal regions. Its waters were impregnated with an oily substance, whence probably originated the story of the unwillingness of the Peneus to mingle with it. It is now called the Elasonitiko or Xeraghi.

2406Near Libethrum; said to be a favourite haunt of the Muses, whence their name “Libethrides.” It is near the modern Goritza.

2407Leake places its site on the height between the southernmost houses of Volo and Vlakho-Makhala. No remains of it are to be seen.

2408Ansart says that on its site stands the modern Korakai Pyrgos.

2409Near Neokhori, and called Eleutherokhori.

2410Now Kortos, near Argalisti, according to Ansart.

2411Now Haghios Georgios, or the Promontory of St. George.

2412At the foot of Mount Pelion. Leake places it at some ruins near a small port called Tamukhari. The chestnut tree derived its Greek and modern name from this place, in the vicinity of which it still abounds.

2413Probably near the village of Hagia Eutimia, according to Ansart.

2414Now Trikeri.

2415Melibœa was near the modern Mintzeles, and Rhizus near Pesi Dendra, according to Ansart.

2416Ansart says, in the vicinity of the modern Conomio.

2417Situate at the foot of Mount Homole, between Tempe and the village of Karitza. Leake thinks that the Convent of St. Demetrius, on the lower part of Mount Kissavo, stands on its site.

2418Now Tournovo, according to Ansart.

2419Now called Democo, according to Ansart.

2420Between the Titaresius and the Peneus. The modern village of Tatari stands on its site.

2421Probably the place of the same name mentioned in the last Chapter.

2422Probably the same as Acharræ on the river Pamisus, mentioned by Livy, B. xxxii. c. 13.

2423On the Dotian Plain, mentioned by Hesiod, and probably the same place that Pindar calls Lacereia.

2424The birth-place of Protesilaüs, the first victim of the Trojan war.

2425Nothing is known of this place. The word “porro” appears instead of it in some editions.

2426Philip, the Conqueror of Greece, and Alexander, the Conqueror of Asia.

2427The original Emathia, as mentioned by Homer, is coupled with Pieria as lying between the Hellenic cities of Thessaly and Pæonia, and Thrace.

2428A tribe of the south-west of Mœsia, and extending over a part of Illyricum. According to Strabo, they were a wild race, of filthy habits, living in caves under dunghills, but fond of music.

2429A people of Mœsia, mentioned in C.29of the last Book.

2430Supposed by some writers to be the same place as Edessa. Ansart says it is the spot now known as Moglena.

2431Now Verria in Roumelia. St. Paul and Silas withdrew to this place from Thessalonica. The remains are very considerable.

2432Described by Livy as of great strength. It occupied the site of the modern Stagus.

2433Surnamed Lyncestis; the chief town of Upper Macedonia. It must have stood not far from the modern town of Felurina.

2434Now the Platamona.

2435Now Kitron. The Romans usually called it Citron or Citrus.

2436In the inmost recess of the Thermaic Gulf. Leake supposes it to have occupied the site of the present Palea Khora, near Kapsokhori.

2437Now the Vistritza, by the Turks called Inje-Karra. Cæsar calls it the boundary between Macedonia and Thessaly.

2438The people apparently of Aloros just mentioned.

2439Vallæ and Phylacæ appear to have been two towns of Pieria.

2440The people of Cyrrhus; probably on the site of the present Vistritza. Leake however makes a place called Paleokastro to occupy its site. Tyrissæ was probably in its vicinity.

2441Now Alaklisi, upon a lake formed by the Lydias. Philip made it the capital of Macedonia, and it was the birth-place of Alexander the Great. It was made a Roman colony under the name of Julia Augusta Pella.

2442Its ruins are still called Stoli.

2443There were two places of this name in Macedonia; one called Antigonia Psaphara in Chalcidice, and the other in Pæonia.

2444Between Idomene and the plains of Pella. As Pliny here says, it was a different place from Europus of Almopia, by which the Rhœdias flows. Of the following places nothing seems to be known.

2445Coupled by Herodotus with Pella. Eordæa seems to have been the name of the district on the river Eordaicus, identified with the modern Devol.

2446They dwelt in the vicinity of Mount Scomium. The river Axius is the modern Vardhari.

2447Or Thrace.

2448People of Paroræa in Thrace.

2449The people probably of Eordæa, already mentioned.

2450Leake thinks that Almopia was the name of the district now called Moglena.

2451The Mygdones were a Thracian people in the east of Macedonia, on the Thermaic Gulf.

2452The people of Arethusa, a town of Bisaltia in Macedonia, in the pass of Aulon. Euripides, the tragic poet, was buried here.

2453A town of Mygdonia.

2454The people of Idomene, a town about twelve miles from the pass of Stena, now Demirkapi, or the ‘Iron Gate,’ on the river Vardhari.

2455Their district of Doberus is supposed to have been near the modern Doghiran.

2456It has been suggested that Garescus stood on the same site as the modern Nurocopo. Many of these peoples are now entirely unknown.

2457The people of Lyncestis, in Macedonia, of Illyrian origin and on the frontiers of Illyria. Lyncus was the ancient capital, Heraclæa the more modern one.

2458Probably the inhabitants of the slopes of Mount Othrys.

2459Amantia was properly in Illyria, to the south of the river Aoüs. Leake places it at Nivitza.

2460A people of the north of Epirus, on the borders of Macedonia. They were said to have derived their name from Orestes, who, after the murder of his mother, founded in their territory the town of Argos Oresticum.

2461A Greek city of Illyria. Dr. Holland discovered its remains at Graditza on the Aoüs or Viosa.

2462The bulwark of the Macedonian maritime frontier to the south. Leake discovered its site near the modern Malathria.

Back to Index Next