Attilius Regulus were Consuls vpon newes brought of a sudden rising and tumult of the Gauls alone by it selfe without any forrein aids and euen them without any nations beyond Padus armed 80000 horsemen and 700000 foot In plenty of all mettal mines it giueth place to no land whatsoeuer But forbidden it is to dig any by an old act of the Senat giuing expresse order to make spare of Italy CHAP. XXI ¶ Illyricum THe Nation of the Liburnians ioineth vnto Arsia euen as farre as the riuer Titius A part thereof were the Mentores Hymani Encheleae Dudini and those whom Callimachus nameth Pucetiae Now the whole in generall is called by one name Illyricum The names of the nations are few of them eitherworthy or easie to be spoken As for the iudiciall court of Assises at Scordona the Iapides and foureteene States besides of the Liburians resort vnto Of which it grieueth me not to name the Lacinians Stulpinians Burnistes and Albonenses And in that Court these Nations following haue the libertie of Italians to wit the Alutae and Flanates of whom the sea or gulfe beareth the name Lopsi Varubarini and the Assesiates that are exempt from all tributes also of Islands the Fulsinates and Curiolae Moreouer along the borders and maritime coasts beyond Nesactum these townes Aluona Flauona Tarsatica Senia Lopsica Ortopula Vegium Argyruntum Corinium the city Aenona the riuer Pausinus Tedanium at which Iapida doth end The islands lying in that gulfe together with the townes besides those towns aboue noted Absirtium Arba Tragurium Issa Pharos beforetime Paros Crexa Gissa Portunata Again within the continent the colony Iaderon which is from Pola 160 miles From thence 30 miles off the island Colentum and 18 the mouth of the riuer Titius CHAP. XXII ¶ Liburnia THe end of Liburnia and beginning of Dalmatia is Scordona which frontier towne is 12 miles from the sea scituate vpon the said riuer Titius Then followeth the antient countrie of the Tariotes and the castle Tariota the Promontory Diomedis or as some would haue it the demy island Hyllis taking in circuit a hundred miles also Tragurium inhabited by Roman citizens well knowne for the marble there Sicum into which place Claudius late Caesar sent the old souldiers the Colony Salona 222 miles from Iadera There repaire to it for law those that are described into Decuries or tithings 382 to wit Dalmatians 22 Decunum 239 Ditions 69 and Mezaei 52 Sardiates in this tract are Burnum Mandetrium and Tribulium castles of name for the battels of the Romanes There came also forth of the islands the Issaeans Collentines Separians and Epetines Besides them certaine castles Piguntiae and Rataneum and Narona a colonie pertaining to the third Countie-court 72 miles from Salona lying hard to a riuer of the same name and 20 miles from the sea M. Varro writeth that 89 States vsed to repaire thither for justice Now these only in a manner be knowne to wit Cerauni in 33 Tithings Daorizi in 17 Destitiates in 103 Docleates in 34 Deretines in 14 Deremistes in 30 Dindari in 33 Glinditiones in 44 Melcomani in 24 Naresij in 102 Scirtari in 72 Siculote in 24 and the Vardaei who sometime wasted and forraied Italy in 20 decuries and no more Besides these there held and possessed this tract Oenei Partheni Hemasini Arthitae Armistae From the riuer Naron a hundred miles is the colony Epidaurum Townes of Roman citizens be these Rhizinium Ascrinium Butua Olchinium which beforetime was called Colchinium built by the Colchi The riuer Drilo and the towne vpon it Scodra inhabited by Roman citizens eighteen miles from the sea Ouer and besides many other towns of Greece yea strong cities out of all remembrance For in that tract were the Labeates Enderudines Sassaei Grabaei and those who properly were called Illyrij the Taulantij and Pyraei The Promontorie Nymphaeum in the coast thereof keepeth still the name also Lyssum a towne of Romane citizens a hundred miles from Epidaurum C XXIII ¶ Macedonie FRom Lissum is the prouince of Macedonie the nations there be the Partheni and on their backe side the Dassaretes Two mountaines of Candauia 79 miles from Dyrrhachium but in the borders thereof Denda a towne of Roman citizens also the Colonie Epidamnum which for that vnluckie names sake was by the Romans called Dyrrhachium The riuer Aous named of some Aeas Apollonia sometime a Colonie of the Corinthians scituate within the countrey seuen miles from the sea in the marches wherof is the famous Nymphaeum The borderers inhabiting thereby are the Amantes and Buliones But in the very edge therof the town Oricum built by the Colchi Then beginneth Epirus the mountaines Acroceraunia at which we haue bounded this sea of Europe as for Oricum it is from Salentinum a promontorie of Italy 85 miles CHAP. XXIIII ¶ Noricum BEhind the Carni and Iapides whereas the great riuer Ister runneth the Norici ioine to the Rhaeti Their towns be Virunum Celeia Teurnia Aguntum Viana Aemona Claudia Flavium Tolvense Vpon the Norici there lie fast the Lake Peiso the deserts of the Boij Howbeit now by the colonie of the late Emperor Claudius of famous memorie Salaria and the towne Scarabantia Iulia they be inhabited and peopled CHAP. XXV ¶ Pannonia THence beginneth Pannonia so fruitfull in Mast wheras the hils of the Alps waxing more mild and ciuil turning through the midst of Illyricum from the North to the South settle lower by an easie descent both on the right hand and the left That part which regardeth the Adriatick sea is called Dalmatia and Illyricum aboue-named Pannonia bendeth toward the North and is bounded by the riuer Danubius In it are these Colonies Aemonia Siscia And these riuers of speciall name and nauigable run into Danubius Draus with more violence out of the Noricke Alps and Saus out of the Carnicke Alpes more gently 115 miles between As for Draus it passeth through the Serretes Serrapilles Iasians Sandrozetes but Saus through the Colapians and Bruci And these be the chiefe States of that country Moreouer the Ariuates Azali Amantes Belgites Catari Corneates Aravisci Hercuniates Latovici Oseriates and Varciani The mount Claudius in the front whereof are the Scordisci and vpon the back the Taurisci The island in Saus Metubarris the biggest of all the riuer islands Besids notable good riuers Calapis running into Saus neere Siscia where with a double channell it maketh the island called Segestica another riuer Bacuntius running likewise into Saus at the towne Sirmium where is the State of the Sirmians and Amantines Fiue forty miles from thence Taurunum where Saus is intermingled with Danubius Higher aboue there run into it Valdanus and Vrpanus and they ywis be no base and obscure riuers CHAP. XXVI ¶ Moesia VNto Pannonia ioineth the Prouince called Moesia which extendeth along Danubius vnto Pontus It beginneth at the confluent aboue-named in it are the Dardanians Celegeri Triballi Trimachi Moesi Thranes and the Scythians
caput Saxi besides the rocks head The frontier towne of Cyrenaica is called Catabathmos which is a towne and a vaile all on a sudden falling with a steepe descent To this bound from the lesse Syrtis Cyrenaica Africa lieth in length 1060 miles and in bredth for so much as is knowne 800. CHAP. VI. ¶ Lybya Maroeotis THe countrey following is named Mareotis Libya and boundeth vpon Aegypt inhabited by the Marmaridae Adyrmachidae and so forward with the Mareotae The measure of it from Catabathmos to Paretoninm is 86 miles In that tract there lyeth in the way betweene the village Apis a place renowned for the religious rites of Aegypt From it to Paraetonium are 12 miles From thence to Alexandria 200 miles the bredth thereof is 169 miles Eratosthenes hath deliuered in writing that from Cyrenae to Alexandria by land is 525 miles Agrippa saith that the length of all Africk from the Atlanticke sea together with the inferiour part of Aegypt containeth 3040 miles Polybius and Eratosthenes reputed to haue bin most exact and curious in this kinde set downe from the Ocean to great Carthage 1600 miles From thence to Canopicum the neerest mouth of Nilus they make 1630 miles Isidore reckoneth from Tingi to Canopus 3599 miles And Artemidorus forty lesse than Isiodorus CHAP. VII ¶ Islands about Africke and oueragainst Africke THese seas haue not very many Islands within them The fairest of them all is Meninx 35 miles long and 25 broad called by Eratosthenes Lotophagitis Two towns it hath Meninx on Africke side and Thoar on the other it selfe is scituate from the right hand promontorie of the lesse Syrtis 200 paces A hundred miles from it against the left hand is Cercina with a free towne of the same name in length it is 25 miles and halfe as much in bredth where it is most but toward the end not aboue fiue miles ouer To it there lieth a pretty little one toward Carthage called Cercinitis ioineth by a bridge vnto it from these almost â—…o miles lies Lopadusa six miles long Then Gaulos and Galata the earth where of killeth the Scorpion a fell creature and noisome to Africke Men say also that they wil die in Clupea ouer against which lieth Corsyra with a towne But against the gulfe of Carthage be the two Aeginori rocks more like than Islands lying most between Sicily and Sardinia There be that write how these somtime were inhabited but afterwards sunke downe and were couered CHAP. VIII ¶ The Aethyopians BVt within the inner compassc and hollow of Africke toward the South aboue the Gaetulians where the desarts come between the first people that inhabit those parts be the Libij Aegyptij and then the Leucaethiopes Aboue them are the Aethyopian nations to wit the Nigritae of whom the riuer tooke name the Gymetes Pharusi and those which now reach to the Ocean whom we spake of in the marches of Mauritania namely the Perorsi From all these it is nothing but a wildernesse Eastward till you come to the Garamantes Augylae and Troglodites according to the most true opinion of them who place 2 Aethyopiaes aboue the desarts of Africk and especially of Homer who saith that the Aethyopians are diuided 2 waies namely East and West The riuer Nyger is of the same nature that Nilus It bringeth forth Reed and Papyr breedeth the same liuing creatures and riseth or swelleth at the same seasons It springeth betweene the Tareleia Aethyopians and the Oecalicae The towne Mavin belonging to this people some haue set vpon the wildernesse as also neere vnto them the Atlantes the Aegipanes halfe wilde beasts the Blemmyi the Gamphasants Satyres Himantopodes Those Atlantes if we will beleeue it degenerate from the rites and manners of all other men For neither call they one another by any name and they look wistly vpon the Sun rising setting with most dreadful curses as being pernicious to them their fields neither dream they in their sleep as other men The Troglodites dig hollow caues and these serue them for dwelling houses they feed vpon the flesh of serpents They make a gnashing noise rather than vtter any voice so little vse haue they of speech one to another The Garamants liue out of wedlock and conuerse with their women in common The Augylae do no worship to any but to the diuels beneath The Gamphasantes bee all naked and know no Wars and sort themselues with no forrainer The Blemmyi by report haue no heads but mouth and eies both in their brest the Satyres besides their shape only haue no properties nor fashions of men The Aegipanes are shaped as you see them commonly painted The Himantopodes be some of them limber legged and tender who naturally go creeping on the ground The Pharusi sometime Persae are said to haue bin the companions of Hercules as he went to the Hesperides More of Africke worth the noting I haue not to say CHAP. IX ¶ Of Asia VNto it ioineth Asia which from the mouth of Canopus vnto the mouth of Pontus after Timosthenes 2639 miles From the coast of Pontus to that of Maeotis Eratosthenes saith is 1545 miles The whole together with Egypt vnto Tanais by Artemidorus and Isidorus taketh 8800 miles Many seas there be in it taking their names of the borderers and therefore they shall be declared together with them The next country to Africk inhabited is Aegypt lying far within-forth to the South so far as the Aethyopians who border vpon their backs The nether part thereof the riuer Nilus diuided on the right hand and the left by his clasping doth bound and limit with the mouth of Canopus from Africke with the Pelusiake from Asia and carrieth a space between of 170 miles Whereupon considering that Nilus doth so part it self some haue reckoned Aegypt among the Islands so as it maketh a triangular figure of the land And here it is that many haue called Aegypt by the name of the Greeke letter Delta 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The measure of it from the channell where it is but one and from whence it beginneth first to part into skirts and sides vnto the mouth of Canopus is 146 miles and to the Pelusiak 256 the vpmost part therof bounding on Aethyopia is called Thebais Diuided it is into towneships with seueral iurisdictions which they cal Nomos to wit Ombites Phatuites Apollopolites Hermonhites Thinites Phanturites Captites Tentyrites Diospalites Antaeopolites Aphroditolites and Lycopolites The country about Pelusium these town-ships with their seueral iurisdictions Pharboetites Bubastites Sethroites Tanites The rest haue these following the Arabicke the Hammoniacke which extendeth to the Oracle of Iupiter Hammon Oxyrinchites Leontopolites Atarrabites Cynopolytes Hermopolites Xoites Mendesins Sebennites Capastites Latapolites Heliopolites Prosopites Panopolites Busirites Onuphites Sorites Ptenethu Pthemphu Naucratites Nitrites Gynaecopolites Menelaites in the country of Alexandria In like manner of Libya Mareotis Heracleopolites is in the Island of Nilus fiftie miles long wherein also is that which
haue said to be in circuit 20 miles and Mutians 160. Oliaros Paros with a towne 38 miles from Delos of great name for the white marble there which at first men called Pactia but afterwards Minois From it seuen miles and a halfe is Naxus 18 miles from Delos with a towne which they called Strongyle afterwards Dia within a while Dionysias of the plentifull vines and others Sicily the lesse and Callipolis It reacheth in circuit 75 miles and is halfe as long again as Paros And thus far verily they obserue note for the Cyclades the rest that follow for the Sporades And these they be Helenum Phocussa Phaecasia Schinussa Phalegandros and 17 miles from Naxos Icaros which gaue name to the sea lying out as far in length with two towns for the third is lost before-time it was called Dolichum Macris and Ichtyoessa It is scituate Northeast from Delos 50 miles and from Samos it is distant 35 miles Between Euboea and Andros there is a frith 12 miles ouer From it to Gerestum is 112 miles and a halfe and then no order forward can be kept the rest therefore shall be set downe huddle by heapes Ios from Naxus 24 miles venerable for the sepulchre of Homer it is in length 25 miles and in former time called Phaenice Odia Letandros Gyaros with a town 12 miles about It is from Aneros 62 miles From thence to Syrnus 80 miles Cynethussa Telos famous for costly ointment Callimachus calls it Agathussa Donysa Pathmos in circuit 30 miles Corasiae Lebinthus Leros Cynara Sycinus which before-time was Oenoe Heratia the same that Onus Casus otherwise Astrabe Cimolus alias Echinussa Delos with a towne which Aristides nameth Byblis Aristotle Zephyria Callimachus Himallis Heraclides Syphnus and Acytos and this of all the Islands is the roundest After it Machia Hypere sometime Patage or after some Platage now Amorgos Potyaegos Phyle Thera when it first appeared it was called Calliste From it afterwards was Therasia plucked and between those twain soone after arose Automate the same that Hiera and Thia which in our daies appeared new out of the water neere Hiera Ios is from Thera 25 miles Then follow Lea Ascania Anaphe Hippuris Hippurissusa Astipalaea of free estate in compasse 88 miles it is from Cadiscus a promontory of Creta 125 miles From it is Platea distant 60 miles And from thence Camina 38 miles then Azibnitha Lanise Tragia Pharmacusa Techidia Chalcia Calydna in which are the townes Coos and Olymna From which to Carpathus which gaue the name to the Carpathian sea is 25 miles and so to Rhodes with a Southerne winde From Carpathus to Casos 7 miles from Casos to Samonium a promontorie of Crete 30 miles Moreouer in the Euboike Euripe at the first entrance wel-neere of it are the foure Islands Petaliae and at the end thereof Atalante Cyclades and Sporades confined and enclosed on the East with the Icarian sea coasts of Asia on the West with the Myrtoan coasts of Attica Northward with the Aegaean sea and South with the Creticke and Carthaginian seas and take vp in length two hundred myles The gulfe Pegasicus hath before it Eutychia Cicynethus and Scyrus aboue said but the vtmost of all the Cyclades and Sporades Gerontia Scadira Thermeusis Irrhesia Solinnia Eudemia Nea which is consecrate vnto Minerua Athos before it hath foure Peparethus with a town somtime called Euonos 9 miles off Scyathus 5 miles and Iulios with a town 88 miles off The same is from Mastusia in Corinthos 75 miles is it self in circuit 72 miles Watered it is with the riuer Ilissus from thence to Lemnos 22 and is from Athos 87. in compasse it containeth 22 miles and a halfe Townes it hath Hephaestia and Marina into the Market place wherof the mountain Athos casteth a shadow in the hottest season of sommer Thassos a free State is from it fiue miles in times past it was called Aeria or Aethria From thence Abdera in the continent is 20 miles Athos 62 the Isle Samo-Thrace as much being a free priuiledged state and lying before Hebrus From Imbrus 32 miles from Lemnus 22 miles and a halfe from the coast of Thracia 28 miles in circuit it is 32 miles and hath the rising of the hill Saoces for the space of ten miles and of all the rest is fullest of hauens and harbors Callimachus calleth it by the old name Dardania Betwixt Cherrhonesus and Samo-Thrace is Halomesus about 15 miles from either of them beyond lieth Gethrone Lamponia Alopeconesus not farre from Coelos an hauen of Cherrhonesus and some other of no name or regard In this sea let vs rehearse also the desart and vnpeopled Isles such as we can finde names for to wit Desticos Larnos Cyssicos Carbrusa Celathusa Scylla Draconon Arconesus Diethusa Scapos Capheris Mesate Aeantion Phaterunesos Pateria Calete Neriphus and Polendus The fourth of those great seas in Europe beginning at Hellespont endeth in the mouth of Moeotis But briefly we are to describe the forme of the whole sea to the end the parts may be sooner and more easily known The vast and wide Ocean lying before Asia and driuen out from Europe in that long coast of Chersonesus breaketh into the maine with a small and narrow issue and by a Firth of 7 stadia as hath been said diuideth Europe from Asia The first streights they call Hellespontus this way Xerxes the King made a bridge vpon ships and so led his armie ouer From thence there is extended a small Euripus or arme of the sea for 86 miles space to Priapus a city of Asia wheras Alexander the great passed ouer From that place the sea grows wide and broad and again gathereth into a streight the largenesse thereof is called Propontis the streights Bosphorus halfe a mile ouer and that way Darius the father of Xerxes made a bridge ouer and transported his forces The whole length of this from Hellespont is 239 miles From thence the huge main sea called Pontus Euxinus and in times past Axenus takes vp the space between lands far dissite and remote asunder and with a great winding and turning of the shores bendeth back into certain horns and lieth out-stretched from them on both sides resembling euidently a Scythian bow In the very mids of this bending it ioineth close to the mouth of the lake Moeotis and that mouth is called Cimmerius Bosphorus 2 miles and a halfe broad But between the two Bosphori Thracius and Cimmerius there is a direct strait course between as Polybius saith of 500 miles Now the whole circuit of all this sea as Varro and all the old writers for the most part do witnesse is 2150 miles Nepos Cornelius addes thereto 350 miles more Artemidorus maketh it 2919 miles Agrippa 2360 miles Mutianus 2865 miles In like sort some haue determined and defined the measure on Europe side to be 4078 miles and a halfe others 1172 miles M. Varro taketh his measure in this manner from the mouth of Pontus to
vineyards and famous for drunkennesse proceeding of strong wine and the liquor of the grape commended so highly in all countries and as they were wont to say in old time there was the exceeding strife between father Liber and dame Ceres From hence the Setine and Cecubine countries spread forth and to them ioine the Falerne and Caline Then arise the mountaines Massici Gaurani and Surrentine There the Laborium Champaine fields lie along vnder their feet and the good wheat haruest to make fine frumentie for dainties at the table The sea-coasts here are watered with hot fountaines and among other commodities throughout all the sea they beare the name for the rich purple shell fish and other excellent fishes In no place is there better or more kind oyle pressed out of the Oliue And in this delightsome pleasure of mankind the Oscians Grecians Vmbrians Tuscanes and Campanes haue striued who could yeeld best In the skirt and edge thereof is the riuer Sauo Vulturnum the town and riuer both Liturnum and Cumo inhabited by Chalcidians Misenum the hauen Bajae Baule the pooles Lucrinus and Auernus neer vnto which was somtime the town Cimmerium Then Puteoli called also the Colonie Dicaearchia After that the plaines Phlegraei and the meere or fenne Acherusia neere to Cumes And vpon the very strond by the sea side Naples a citie also of the Chalcidians the same that Parthenope so called of the tombe of a Sirene or Meeremaid Herculanium Pompeij and where not farre off the mountaine Vesuvius ouerlooketh and the riuer Sernus runneth vnder the territory of Nuceria and within nine miles of the sea Nuceria it selfe Surrentum with the promontory of Minerua the seat sometime of the Meermaids From the cape Circeij lies the sea open for saile 78 miles This is counted the first region of Italy next Tibris according to the description of Augustus Within it are these Colonies Capua so called of the Champane country Aquinum Suessa Venafrum Sora Teanum named withall Sidicinum and Nola the Townes be Abellinum Aricia Alba Longa Acerrani Allifani Atinates Aletrinates Anagnini Atellani Asulani Arpinates Auximates Auellani Alfaterni and they who of the Latine Hernick and Albicane territories are surnamed accordingly Bouillae Calatiae Casinum Calenum Capitulum Cernetum Cernetani who be called also Mariani Corani descended from Dardanus the Trojane Cubulterini Castrimonienses Cingulani Fabienses and in the mount Albane Foro populienses Out of the Falarne territory Frusinates Ferentinates Freginates Faraterni the old Fabraterni the new Ficolenses Fricolenses Foro-Appi Forentani Gabini Interramnates Succasani called also Lirinates Ilionenses Lauinij Norbani Nementani Prenestini whose citie was in times past named Stephanus Priuernates Setini Signini Suessulani Telini Trebutini surnamed Balinienses Tribani Tusculani Verulani Veliterni Vlubrenses Vluernates and aboue also Rome her self the other name whereof to vtter is counted in the secret misteries of ceremonies an impious and vnlawfull thing which after that it was abolished and so faithfully obserued to right good purpose and for the safetie thereof Valerius Soranus blurted out and soone after abid the smart for it I think it not amisse nor impertinent to insert there in this very place an example of the ancient religion instituted especially for this Silence for the goddesse Angerona whose holiday is solemnly kept with sacrifices the â—…2 day before the Kalends of Ianuary is represented by an Image hauing her mouth fast sealed and tied vp This citie of Rome had 3 gates when Romulus left it or rather foure if we beleeue the most men that write thereof The wals thereof when the two Vespacians Emperors and Censors both to wit the Father and Titus his son took the measure which was in the yere after the foundation of it 828 were in circuit 13 miles and almost a quarter It containeth within it seuen Mountaines and is diuided in 14 regions and 265 crosse streets or carfours called Compita Larium The measure of the same equall space of ground running from the gilden piller Milliarium erected at the head or top of the Rom. Forum to euery gate which are at this day 37 in number so ye reckon once the 12 gates alwaies open and ouerpasse 7 of the old which are no more extant maketh 30 miles 3 quarters and better by a straight line but if the measure be taken from the same Milliarium before-said through the suburbs to the vtmost ends of the houses and take withall the Castra Praetoria and the pourprise of all the streets it comes to somewhat aboue 70 miles whereunto if a man put the height of the houses hee may conceiue verily by it a worthy estimate of the excellency thereof and confesse that the statelinesse of no citie in the world could be comparable to it Enclosed it is and fenced on the East-side with the bank or rampier of Tarquinius the Proud a wonderfull piece of worke as any other and as excellent as the best for he raised it full as high as the wals in that side where the aduenue to it was most open and plaine In other parts defended it was and fortified with exceeding high wals or else steepe and craggy hils but only whereas there are buildings lye out abroad and make as it were many petty cities In that first region of Italy there were besides first for Latium these faire townes of marke Satricum Pometia Scaptia Pitulum Politorium Tellene Tifata Caemina Ficana Crustumerium Ameriola Medullia Corniculum Saturnia where now Rome standeth Antipolis which now is Ianiculum in one part of Rome Antemnae Camerium Collatiae Amiternum Norbe Sulmo and with these the States that were wont to receiue a dole of flesh in mount Albane to wit Albenses Albani Aesolani Acienses Abolani Bubetani Bolani Casuetani Coriolani Fidenates Foretij Hortenses Latinenses Longulani Manates Marales Mutucumenses Munienses Numinienses Olliculani Octulani Pedani Pollustini Querquetulani Sicani Sisolenses Tolerienses Tu tienses Vimitellarij Velienses Venetulani Vicellenses Thus yee see how of the old Latium there be 53 States perished and cleane gone without any token left behinde Moreouer in the Campaine countrey the towne Stabiae continued vnto the time that Cn. Pompeius and L. Carbo were Consuls euen vntill the last day of Aprill vpon which day L. Silla a lieutenant in the-Allies war destroyed it vtterly which now at this day is turned into graunges and ferme-houses There is decaied also there and come to finall ruine Taurania There be also some little relikes left of Casilinum lying at the point of the last gaspe Moreouer Antias writes that Apiolaea towne of the Latines was woon by L. Tarquinius the King with the Pillage whereof he began to found the Capitoll From Surrentum to the riuer Silarus the Picentine countrey lay for the space of 30 miles reowmed for the Tuscanes goodly temple built by Iason in the honor of Iuno Argiva Within it stood the townes Salernum and Picentia At Silarus the third region of Italy
things which are worth the writing of neere vnto Locres be these Sagra the riuer and the reliques of the towne Caulon Mystia the castle Consilium Cerinthus which some think to be the vtmost promontory of Italy bearing farthest into the sea Then follow the creeke or gulfe Scylacensu and that which was called by the Athenians when they built it Scylletium Which place another creeke Tirenaeus meeting with makes a demie Island in which there is a port towne called Castra Anibilis and in no place is Italy narrower being but twenty miles broad And therfore Dionisius the elder would haue there cut it off quite from the rest and laid it to Sicilie Riuers nauigable there be these Caecinos Crotalus Semirus Arocha Targines Within forth is the towne Petilia the mountaine Alibanus and promontory Lacinium before the coast whereof there is an Island tenne miles from the land called Dioscoron and another Calypsus which Homer is supposed to haue called Ogygia Moreouer Tyris Eranusa Meloessa And this is seuentie miles from Caulon as Agrippa hath recorded CHAP. XI ¶ The second Sea of Europe FRom the promontory Lacinium beginneth the second sea of Europe it takes a great winding and compasse with it and endeth at Acroceraunium a promontory of Epirus from which it is seuentie miles distant In which there sheweth it selfe the towne Croto and the riuer Naeathus The towne Thurium betweene the two riuers Arathis and Sybaris where there was a towne of the same name Likewise between Siris and Aciris there stands Heraclea fomtime called Siris Riuers Acalandrum Masuentum the town Metapontum in which the third region of Italy taketh an end The Inlanders be of the Brutians the Aprustans only but of Lucanes Thoatinates Bantines Eburines Grumentines Potentines Sontines Sirines Sergilanes Vrsentines Volcentanes vnto whom the Numestranes are ioined Besides all these Cato writes That Thebes of the Lucanes is cleane destroyed and gone And Theopompus saith That Pandosia was a citie of the Lucanes wherein Alexander king of the Epirotes was slaine Knit hereunto is the second region or tract of Italy containing within it the Hirpines Calabria Apulia the Salentines within an arme of the sea in compasse 250 miles which is called Tarentinus of a town of the Laconians scituate in the inmost nouke or creek hereof and to it was annexed and lay the maritine Colonie which there was And distant it is from the promontory Lacinium 1â—…6 miles putting forth Calabria like a demy Island against it The Greeks called it Messapia of their captaines name and before-time Peucetia of Peucetius the brother of Oenotrus In the Salentine country between the two promontories there is a 100 miles distance The bredth of this demie Island to wit from Tarentum to Brindis if you goe by land is two and thirtie miles but far shorter if you saile from the Hauen or Bay Sasina The townes in the Continent from Tarentum be Varia surnamed Apula Cessapia and Aletium But in the coast of the Senones Gallipolis now Auxa 62 miles from Tarentum Two and thirtie railes off is the promontorie which they call Acra Iapygia and here Italy runneth farthest into the sea Then is there the town Basta and Hydruntum in the space of nineteen miles to make a partition betweene the Ionian and Adriaticke seas through which is the shortest cut into Greece ouer against the towne Apollonia where the narrow sea running between is not aboue fiftie miles ouer This space between Pyrrhus king of Epirus was the first that intending to haue a passage ouer on foot thought to make bridges there after him M. Varro at what time as in the Pyrates warre he was Admirall of Pompeies fleet But both of them were let and stopped with one care or other besides Next to Hydrus there is Soletum a citie not inhabited then Fratuertium the hauen Tarentinus the garrison towne Lupia Balesium Caelium Brundusium fifteene miles from Hydrus as much renowmed as any towne of Italy for the hauen for the surer sailing although it be the longer and the citie of Illyricum Dyrragium is ready to receiue the ships the passage ouer is 220 miles Vpon Brundutium bordereth the territory of the Paediculi Nine young men there were of them and as many maids descended from the Illyrians who begat betweene them thirteen nations The townes of these Paediculi be Rhudia Egnatia Barion beforetime Iapyx of Dedalus his sonne who also gaue the name to Iapygia Riuers Pactius and Aufidus issuing out of the Hirpine mountaines and running by Canusium Then followes Apulia of the Daunians surnamed so of their leader father in law to Diomedes In which is the towne Salapia famous for the loue of an harlot that Anniball cast a fancie vnto then Sipontum and Vria also the riuer Cerbalus where the Daunians take their end the port Agasus the cape of the mountaine Garganus from Salentine or Iapygium 234 miles fetching a compasse about Garganus the hauen Garnae the lake Pantanus The riuer Frento full of Baies and Hauens and Teanum of the Apulians In like manner also Larinum Aliturnia and the riuer Tifernus Then commeth in the region Frentana So there be three kindes of nations Teani of their leader from the Greekes the Lucanes subdued by Calchas which quarters now the Atinates hold and occupie Colonies of the Daunians besides the abouenamed Luceria and Venusia townes Canusium Arpi sometime Argos Hippium builded by Diomides but soon after called Argyrippa There Diomedes vanquished and destroied the whole generation of the Monadians and Dardians together with two cities which grew to a merry iest by way of a by-word Apina and Trica The rest be more inward in the second region to wit one Colonie of the Hirpines called Beneuentum changed into a more luckie name wheras in times past it was cleaped Maleuentum the Aeculanes Aquilonians and Abellinates surnamed Protropi the Campsanes Caudines and Ligurians surnamed Cornelians as also Bebianes Vescellanes Deculanes and Aletrines Abellinates surnamed Marsi the Atranes Aecanes Afellanes Attinates Arpanes the Borcanes the Collatines Corinenses and famous for the ouerthrow of the Romanes there the Cannians the Dirines the Metintanes the Genusines the Hardonians and Hyrines the Larinates surnamed Frentanes the metrnates and out of Garganus the Mateolanes the Neritines and Natines the Rubustines the Syluines and Strapellines the Turmentines the Vibinates Venusines and Vlurtines Now the Inlanders of the Calabrians the Aegirines Apanestines and Argentines The Butuntines and Brumbestines the Decians the Norbanes the Palions Sturnines and Tutines Also of Salentine midlanders the Aletines Basterbines Neretines Valentines and Veretines CHAP. XII ¶ The fourth Canton or region of Italy NOw followeth the fourth region euen of the most hardie and valiant nations of all Italy In the coast of the Frentanes next to Tifernus is the riuer Tirinium full of good hauens and harbours The towns there be Histonium Buca and Ortona with the riuer Aternus More within the countrey are the Anxanes surnamed Frentanes the Carentines
Wherein all men obserue not the same nor make like account howbeit most men speake of Damascus and Opotos watered with the riuer Chrysorrhora Also Philadelphia renowned for the fruitfull territory about it Moreouer of Scythopolis taking name of the Scythians there planted and before-time Mysa so named of Prince or Father Bacchus by reason that his nource there was buried Also Gadara scituate on the riuer Hieromiax running euen before it Besides the aboue-named Hippos Dios. Likewise Pella enriched with the good fountains and last of all Galaza and Canatha There lie betweene and about these cities certaine Royalties called Triarchies containing euery one of them as much as an whole countrey and reduced they be as it were into seuerall countries namely Trachonitis Panias wherein standeth Caesarea with the fountain aboue-said Abiâ—a Arca Ampeloessa and Gabe CHAP. XIX ¶ Tyre and Sidon REturne now we must to the sea-coast of Phoenice A riuer runneth there called Crocodilon whereupon stood a towne in times past bearing the name Also there remain in those parts the bare reliques still of cities to wit Dorum Sycaminum the cape or promontory Carmelum and a towne vpon the hill so named but in old time called Ecbatana Neere therto Getta and Iebba the riuer Pagida or Pelus carrying chrystall glasse with his sands vpon the shore This riuer commeth out of the meere Ceudeuia from the foot of mount Carmel Neere vnto it is the city Ptolemais erected in forme of a colony by Claudius Caesar in ancient time called Are. The towne Ecdippa and the cape Album Then followes the noble citie Tyrus in old time an Island lying almost 3 quarters of a mile within the deepe sea but now by the great trauell and deuises wrought by Alexander the Great at the siege thereof ioyned to the firme ground renowmed for that out of it haue beene three other cities of ancient name to wit Leptis Vtica and that great Carthage which so long stroue with the Empire of Rome for the monarchy and dominion of al the whole world yea and Gades diuided as it were from the rest of the earth were peopled from hence But now at this day all the reputation and glory thereof stands vpon the die of purple crimson colors The compasse of it is 19 miles so ye comprise Palaetyrus within it The very towne it selfe alone taketh vp 22 stadia Neere vnto it are these townes Luhydra Sarepta and Ornython also Sydon where the faire and cleer glasses be made and which is the mother of the great citie Thebes in Boeotia CHAP. XX. ¶ The mount Libanon BEhind it beginneth the mount Libanus and for 1500 stadia reacheth as farre as to Smyrna whereas Coele-Syria takes the name Another promontory there is as big ouer-against it called Antilibanus with a vallie lying betweene which in old time ioyned to the other Libanus with a wall Being past this hill the region Decapolis sheweth it selfe to you within-forth called Decapolis and the aboue-named Tetrachies or Realmes with it and the whole largenesse that Palestine hath But in that coast and tract still along the foot of the mount Libanus there is the riuer Magoras also the colonie Berytus called Foelix Iulia. The towne Leontos the riuer Lycos also Palaebyblos i. Byblos the old Then ye come vpon the riuer Adonis and so to these townes Byblos the new Botrys Gigarta Trieris Calamos and Tripolis vnder the Tyrians Sydonians and Aradians Then meet you with Orthosia and the riuer Eleutheros Also these townes Simyra Marathos and ouer-against Aradus a towne of seuen stadia and an Island lesse than a quarter of a mile from the Continent When you are once past the countrie where the said mountaines doe end and the plaines lying betweene then beginneth the mount Bargylis and there as Phoenice endeth so begins Syria againe In which countrie are Carne Balanea Paltos and Gabale also the Promontorie whereupon standeth the free city Laodicea together with Diospolis Heraclea Charadrus and Posidium CHAP. XXI ¶ Syria Antiochena GO forward in this tract and you shall come to the cape of Syria Atiochena within-forth is seated the noble and free citie it selfe Antiochena surnamed Epidaphne through the mids whereof runneth the riuer Orontes But vpon the very cape is the free citie Seleucia named also Pieria CHAP. XXII ¶ The mount Casius ABoue the citie Seleucia there is another mountaine named Casius as well as that other which confronterh Arabia This hill is of that heigth that if a man be vpon the top of it in the darke night season at the reliefe of the fourth watch he may behold the Sunne arising So that with a little turning of his face and body hee may at one time see both day and night To get vp by the ordinary high-way to the very pitch of it a man might fetch a compas of 19 miles but climbe directly vpright it is but 4 miles In the borders of this country runs the riuer Orontes which ariseth between Libanus and Antilibanus neere to Heliopolis Then the towne Rhosos appeares and behind it the streight passages and gullets betwixt the mountaines Rhotij and Taurus which are called Portae Syriae In this tract or coast stands the town Myriandros the hill Avanus where is the towne Bomilae which separateth Cilicia from the Syrians CHAP. XXIII ¶ Coele-Syria or high Syria IT remaineth now to speake of the townes and cities in the midland parts within the firme land and to begin with Coele Syria it hath in it Apamia separated from the Nazerines tetrarchy by the riuer Marsia likewise Bambyce otherwise called Hierapolis but of the Syrians Magog There is honored the monstrous idoll of the Meermaid Atargatis called of the Greeks Decreto Also Chalcis with this addition Vpon Belus from which the region Chalcidene most fertile of all Syria taketh name Then haue you the quarter Cyrrhistica with Cirrhus Gazatae Gindarenes and Gabenes Moreouer two Tetrarchies called Granucomatae Moreouer the Hemisenes Hylates the Ituraeans country and principally those of them who are named Betarrani and the Mariammitanes The Tetrarchie or Principalitie named Mammisea the city Paradisus Pagrae Pinarites and two Seleuciae besides the aboue named one called Vpon Euphrates and the other Vpon Belus and last of all the Carditenses The rest of Syria hath these States besides those which shall be spoken of with the riuer Euphrates the Arethusians Beraeenses and Epiphanenses and Eastward the Laodicenes namely those who are entituled Vpon Libanus the Leucadians and Larissaeans besides 17 Tetrarchies reduced into the forme of realmes but their names are barbarous CHAP. XXIV ¶ Euphrates ANd here me-thinks is the fittest and meetest place to speake of Euphrates The source of it by report of them that saw it last and neerest is in Caranitis a state vnder the gouernment of Armenia the greater and those are Domitius and Corbulo who say that it springeth in the mountaine Aba But Licinius Mutianus affirmeth that it issueth from vnder the foot of the mountaine
which parteth Bithynia from Galatia Beyond Chalcedon stood Chrysopolis then Nicopolis of which the gulfe still retaines the name wherein is the hauen of Amycus the cape Naulocum Estia wherein is the temple of Neptune and the Bosphorus a streight halfe a mile ouer which now once again parteth Asia and Europe From Chalcedon it is 12 miles and an halfe There beginneth the sea to open wider where it is 8 miles a quarter ouer in that place where stood once the towne Philopolis All the maritime coasts are inhabited by the Thyni but the inland parts by the Bithynians Lo here an end of Asia and of 282 nations which are reckoned from the limits and gulf of Lycia vnto the streights of Constantinople The space of the streights of Hellespont and Propontis together vntill you come to Bosphorus in Thracia containeth in length 188 miles as we haue before said From Chalcedon to Sigeum by the computation of Isidor are 372 miles and a halfe Islands lying in Propontis before Cyzicum are these Elaphonnesus from whence commeth the Cyzicen marble and the same Isle was called Neuris and Proconnesus Then follow Ophyusa Acanthus Phoebe Scopelos Porphyrione and Halone with a towne Moreouer Delphacia and Polydora also Artacaeon with the towne Furthermore ouer against Nicomedia is Demonnesos likewise beyond Heraclea iust against Bithynia is Thynias which the Barbarians call Bithynia Ouer and besides Antiochia and against the fosse or riuer Rhyndacus Besbicos 18 miles about Last of all Elaea two Rhodussae Erebinthus Magale Chalcitis and Pityodes THE SIXTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS CHAP. 1. ¶ Pontus Euxinus THe sea called Pontus Euxinus and named by the Greeks in old time Axenos for the hard vsage that passengers found at the hands of those sauage Nations vpon the coasts thereof is spred also betwixt Europ and Asia vpon a very spite and speciall enuy of Nature as it seems to the earth and a wilfull desire to maintaine the sea still in his greatnesse and to fulfill his greedy and endlesse appetite For shee was not contented to haue inuironed the whole earth with the main Ocean yea and taken from it a great part thereof with exceeding rage ouerflowing the same and laying all empty and naked it sufficed not I say to haue broken through the mountaines and so to rush in and after the sea had dismembred * Caspe from Affricke to haue swallowed vp much more by far than is left behind to be seen no nor to haue let Propontis gush through Hellespont and so to encroach again vpon the earth and gaine more ground vnlesse from the streights of Bosphorus also he enlarge himselfe into another huge and vast sea and yet is neuer content vntill the lake Moeotis also with his streight meet with him as he thus spreadeth abroad and floweth at liberty and so ioine together and part as it were their stolne good betweene them And verily that all this is happened maugre the earth and that it made all resistance that it could appeareth euidently by so many streights and narrow passages lying between these two elements of so contrary nature considering that in Hellespont the space is not aboue 875 paces from land to land and at the two Bosphori the sea is so passeable that oxen or kine may swim at ease from the one side to the other and hereupon they both tooke their name the which vicinitie serueth very wel to entertaine and nourish amity among nations separated by nature one from another and in this disunion as it were appeareth yet a brothely fellowship and vnitie For the cocks may be heard to crow and the dogs to bark from the one side to the other yea and men out of these two worlds may parly one to another with audible voice and haue commerce of speech together if the weather be calme and that the windes doe not carry away the sound thereof Well the measure some haue taken of the sea from Bosphorus Thracius to the lake of Moeotis and haue accounted it to be 1438 miles and a halfe But Eratosthenes reckoneth it lesse by one hundred Agrippa saith that from Chalcedon to Phacis is a thousand miles and so to Bosphorus Cimmerius 360 miles As for vs we will set downe summarily and in generall the distances of places according to the moderne knowledge of our nation in these daies forasmuch as our armies haue warred in the very streight and mouth of this Cimmerian streight Being passed then from the streight of Bosphorus Thracius we meet with the riuer Rhebas which some haue called Rhoesus and beyond it Psillis another riuer then come we to the port of Calpas and Sangarius one of the principall riuers of Asia it ariseth in Phrygia it receiueth other huge riuers into it and among the rest Tembrogius and Gallus The same Sangarius was called also Coralius After this riuer begin the gulfes Mariandini vpon which is to be seen the towne Heraclea scituate vpon the riuer Lycus It is from the mouth of Pontus 200 miles Beyond it is the port Acone cursed for the venomous herbe and poisonous Aconitum which taketh name thereof Also the hole or caue Acherusia Riuers also there be Pedopiles Callichorum and Sonantes One towne Tium eight and thirty miles from Heraclea and last of all the riuer Bilis CHAP. II. ¶ The nation of the Paphlagonians and Cappadocians BEyond this riuer Bilis is the countrey Paphlagonia which some haue named Pylemerina and it is inclosed with Galatia behinde it The first towne ye meet in it is Mastya built by the Milesians and next to it is Cromna In this quarter the Heneti inhabit as Cornelius Nepos saith Moreouer from thence the Venetians in Italy who beare their name are descended as he would haue vs beleeue Neere to the said towne Cromna is another called Sesamum in times past and now Amastris Also the mountaine Cytorus 64 miles from Tium When you are gone past this mountain you shall come to Cimolus and Stephane two townes and likewise to the riuer Parthenius and so forward to the cape and promontory Corambis which reacheth forth a mighty way into the sea and it is from the mouth of the sea Pontus 315 miles or as others rather thinke 350. As far also it is from the streight Cimmerius or as some would rather haue it 312 miles and a halfe A towne there was also in times past of that name and another likewise beyond it called Arminum but now there is to be seen the colony Sinope 164 miles from Citorum Being past it you fall vpon the riuer Varetum the people of Cappadocia the townes Gazima and Gazelum and the riuer Halyto which issuing out of the foot of the hill Taurus passeth through Cataonia and Cappadocia Then meet you with these towns following Gangre Carissa and the free city Amisum which is from Sinope 130 miles As you 〈◊〉 farther you shall see a gulfe carrying the name of the said towne
famous city Alexandropolis bearing the name of Alexander the first founder CHAP. XXVI Media Mesopotamia Babylon and Seleucia REquisit now it is and needfull in this place to describe the positure and situation of the Medians kingdom and to discouer all those countries round about as farre as to the Persian sea to the end that the description of other regions hereafter to be mentioned may the better be vnderstood Wherein this first and formost is to be obserued that the kingdome of Media on the one side or other confronteth both Persis and Parthia and casting forth a crooked and winding horne as it were toward the West seemeth to enclose within that compasse both the said realmes Neuerthelesse on the East side it confineth vpon the Parthians and Caspians on the South Sittacene Susiane and Persis Westward Adiabene and Northward Armenia as for the Persians they alwaies confronted the red sea whereupon it was called the Persian gulfe Howbeit the maritime coast thereof is called Cyropolis and that part which confineth vpon Media Elymais In this realme there is a strong fort called Megala in the ascent of a steep high hill so direct vpright that a man must mount vp to it by steps and degrees and otherwise the passage is very streight and narrow And this way leadeth to Persepolis the head city of the whole kingdome which Alexander the great caused to be rased Moreouer in the frontiers of this Realme standeth the city Laodicea built by king Antiochus From whence as you turn into the East the strong fort or castle Passagarda is seated which the sages or wise men of Persia called Magi do hold and therein is the tomb of Cyrus Also the citie Ecbatana belonging to these sages which Darius the king caused to be translated to the mountaines Between the Parthians and the Arians lie out in length the Parotacenes These nations and the riuer Euphrates serue to limit and bound the seuen lower realmes abouenamed Now are we to discourse of the parts remainitg behind of Mesopotamia setting a side one point and corner thereof as also the nations of Arabia wherof we spake in the former booke This Mesopotamia was in times past belonging wholly to the Assyrians dispersed into pettie villages and burgades all saue Babylon Ninus The Macedonians were the first that after it came vnder their hands reduced it into great cities for the goodnesse and plenty of their soile and territorie For now besides the abouenamed townes it hath in it Seleucia Laodicea and Artemita likewise within the quarters of the Arabians named Aroei Mardani Antiochea and that which being founded by Nicanor gouernor of Mesopotamia is called Arabis Vpon these ioine the Arabians but well within the countrey are the Eldamarij And aboue them is the citie Bura situat vpon the riuer Pelloconta beyond which are the Salmanes and Maseans Arabians Then there joine to the Gordiaeans those who are called Aloni by whom the riuer Zerbis passeth and so discharged into Tigris Neere vnto them are the Azones and Silices mountainers together with the Orentians vpon whom confronteth the city Gaugamela on the West side Moreouer there is Sue among the rocks aboue which are the Sylici and Classitae through whom Lycus the riuer runneth out of Armenia Also toward the Southeast Absitris and the town Azochis Anon you come down into the plains champion country where you meet with these towns Diospage Positelia Stratonicea Anthemus As for the city Nicephorium as we haue already said it is seated neer to the riuer Euphrates where Alexander the great caused it to be founded for the pleasant seat of the place and the commodity of the country there adioining Of the city Apamia we haue before spoken in the description of Zeugma from which they that goe Eastward meet with a strong fortified town in old time carrying a pourprise compasse of 65 stadia called the royall pallace of their great dukes potentates named Satrapae vnto which from all quarters men resorted to pay their imposts customs and tributes but now it is come to be but a fort and castle of defence But there continue still in their entire and as flourishing state as euer the city Hebata and Oruros to which by the fortunat conduct of Pompey the Great the limits and bounds of the Roman empire were extended and is from Zeugma 250 miles Some writers report that the riuer Euphrates was diuided by a gouernor of Mesopotamia and one arme thereof brought to Gobaris euen in that place where we said it parted in twain which was done for feare lest one day or other the riuer with his violent streame should indanger the city of Babylon They affirme also that the Assyrians generally called it Armalchar which signifieth a royall riuer Vpon this new arme of the riuer aforesaid stood sometime Agrani one of the greatest towns of that region which the Persians caused to be vtterly rased and destroyed As for the city of Babylon the chiefe city of all the Chaldaean nations for a long time carried a great name ouer all the world in regard whereof all the other parts of Mesopotamia and Assyria was named Babylonia it contained within the walls 60 miles the walls were 200 foot high and 50 thick reckoning to euery foot 3 fingers bredth more than our ordinary measure Through the middest of this goodly great city passeth the riuer Euphrates a wonderfull piece of worke if a man consider both the one and the other As yet to this day the temple of Iupiter Belus there stands entire This prince was the first inuenter of Astronomie It is now decayed and lieth waste and vnpeopled for that the city Seleucia stands so neere it which hath drawne from it all resort and traffique and was to that end built by Nicator within 40 miles of it in the very confluent where the new arm of Euphrates is brought by a ditch to meet with Tigris notwithstanding it is named Babylonia a free state at this day and subiect to no man howbeit they liue after the lawes and manners of the Macedonians And by report in this city there are 600000 citisens As for the walls thereof it is said they resemble an Eagle spreading her wings and for the soile there is not a territorie in all the East parts comparable to it in fertilitie The Parthians in despight again of this city and to do the like by it as somtime was done to old Babylon built the city Ctesiphon within three miles of it in the tract called Chalonitis euen to dispeople and impouerish it which is now the head city of that kingdom But when they could do little or no good thereby to discredit the said new Babylon of late dayes Vologesus their king founded another city hard by called Vologeso Certa Moreouer other cities there are besides in Mesopotamia namely Hipparenum a city likewise of the Chaldaeans and innobled for their learning as well as Babylon scituate vpon the riuer Narragon
Gedranitae Anaprae Ilisanitae Bochilitae Sammei and Amathei with these townes Nessa and Cennesseri The Zamanenes with these townes Saiace Scantate and Bacasmani the towne Rhiphearma which in the Arabian tongue signifieth Barley also the Antei Rapi Gyrei and Marhataei The Helmadenes with the towne Ebode The Agarturi in the mountaines hauing a towne 20 miles about wherein is a fountaine called Emischabales that is as much to say as The Camels town Ampelone a colony of the Milesians the towne Actrida and the people Calingij whose towne is named Mariaba as much to say as Lords of all Towns moreouer Pallon Murannimal neere vnto a riuer by which men thinke that Euphrates springeth and breaketh forth aboue ground Other nations besides namely Agrei and Ammonij with a towne Athenae and the Caurarani which signifieth Most rich in droues of cattell Then the Caranites Caesanes and Choanes There were sometime also certaine townes in Arabia held by Greeks and namely Arethusa Larissa and Chalcis which all in the end came to ruine and were destroyed in diuers and sundry wars The onely man among the Romans vntill this day that warred in those parts was Aelius Gallus a knight of Rome As for Caius Caesar the son of Augustus the Emperor he did but looke only into Arabia and no more but Gallus wasted townes that were not once named by Authors that wrote before namely Egra Annestum Essa Magusum Tamuracum Laberia and the aboue-named Marieba which was in circuit six miles about likewise Caripeta the farthest that he went vnto As for all other matters he made report vnto the Senate of Rome according as he had found and discouered in those parts to wit that the Nomades liue of milke and venison the rest of the Arabians presse wine like as the Indians do out of dates and oile of Sesama a kinde of graine or pulse in those countries That the Homerites country of all others is most populous and replenished with people the Minaeans haue plenteous and fruitfull fields full of date trees and goodly hortyards stored with all sorts of fruit but their principall riches lieth in cattell The Cembanes and Arians are good warriours and martiall men but the Chatramotites that way excell all the rest The Caraeans haue the largest territories and most fertile fields for corne As for the Sabaeans their wealth standeth most vpon their woods and trees that bring forth the sweet gums of Frankincense and myrrhe also in mines of gold hauing water at commandement to refresh their lands and plenty besides of hony wax As concerning the sweet odours and spices that come from thence we will speake thereof in a seuerall booke by it selfe The Arabians weare miters or turbants ordinarily vpon their heads or else go with their haire long and neuer cut it as for their beards them they shaue saue only on their vpper lippe which they let grow still and yet some of them there be that suffer their beards to grow long and neuer cut them But this one thing I maruell much at that being such an infinit number of nations as they be the one halfe of them liue by robberie and theeuing howsoeuer the other liue by traffick and merchandise Take them generally they be exceeding rich for with them the Romans and Parthians leaue exceeding sums of gold and siluer for the commodities out of their woods and seas which they sell vnto them but they themselues buy nothing of them againe Now will we speake of the other coast opposite vnto Arabia Timosthenes hath set downe that the whole gulfe or arm of the sea called Red was from one end to the other foure daies sailing and from side to side two daies that the streights of the firth were seuen miles ouer But Eratosthenes saith that taking the measure at the very mouth it is euerie way 1300 miles CHAP. XXIX ¶ The gulfe of the Red Sea likewise of the Trogloditick and Aethiopian Seas ARtemidorus auoucheth that the Red Sea toward Arabia side is 1450 miles but on the coast of the Troglodites 1182 vntill you come to the citie Ptolemais Most Geographers haue set downe the breadth thereof to bee 462 miles and that the mouth of it where it openeth wide ful against sun-rising in winter i. South-west some say is 7 miles broad and others 12. As for the positure scituation thereof thus it lyeth beyond the branch or arme thereof called Aelaniticus there is another creeke which the Arabians call Aeant vpon which standeth the towne Heroon In old time there was a city called Cambisu betweene the Nelians and Marchandians into which the sicke and feeble souldiers of our armie were conueied as to a place of retreat and repose Beyond which you enter into the land of Tyra and there is the port Daneon to be seene from which Sesostris a king of Aegypt was the first that imagined and deuised to draw one arme of it with a channell nauigable into Nilus in that part where it runneth to the place called Delta and that for 62 miles space which is between the said riuer and the red sea This enterprise of his was followed by Darius king of the Persians yea and by Ptolomaeus king of Egypt second of that name who made a channell 100 foot ouer and 30 deep for 37 miles in length and an halfe euen to the bitter fountaines But this designe was interrupted and the ditch went no farther for feare of a generall deluge and inundation for found it was that the red sea lay aboue the land of Egypt three cubits Some alledge not that to be the cause but this namely That if the sea were let into Nilus the sweet water thereof wherof they drinke only and of none else should be corrupted thereby and marred Yet neuerthelesse although this worke went not forward the way is well beaten all the country ouer betweene the Red sea and the Aegyptian for trafficke and three seuerall ordinarie waies there are between the one from Pelusium ouer the sands where vnles there be reeds set vp pitched in the ground to giue guidance and direction there would no path be found for euer anon the wind bloweth the sand ouer the tracts of mens feet and couereth all A second beginneth 2 miles beyond the mountaine Casius which after 60 miles commeth into the former Pelusiacke way Vpon this great rode way the Arabians called Autei do inhabit The third taketh his head and beginning at Gereum which they call Adipson and holdeth on through the said Arabians is 60 miles neerer way but full of craggie hils and altogether without waters All these foresaid waies lead to the city Arsinoe built vpon the gulfe Charandra by Ptolomaeus Philadelphus and bare his sisters name and verily hee was the first that discouered those parts and searched narrowly into the region Trogloditicum and the riuer that passeth by Arsinoe he called Ptolomaeus Within a little of this place there is a little town named Aennum for which some
it be of all four-footed beasts there is not a better remedy than to seeth a goat all whole in the very skin and a land toad together Also it is said that a fox will not touch any cockes hens or such like pullen that haue eaten before the dried liuer of a Reinard nor those hens which a cock hauing a collar about his necke of a Fox skin hath troden The like effects are reported of a weazils gall as also that kine and oxen both in the Isle Cyprus when they are troubled with the belly ach cure themselues with eating the excrements of a man that the cleyes of kine and oxens feet will not weare to the quick nor be surbated if their horns before were anointed with tar That wolues wil not come into any lordship or territory if one of them be taken and when the legs are broken be let bloud with a knife by little and little so as the same may be shed about the limits or bounds of the said field as he is drawne along and then the body be buried in the very place where they began first to dragge him Others take the plough-share from the plough wherewith the first furrow was made that yeare in the field and put it in the fire burning vpon the common hearth of the house and there let it lie vntill it be quite consumed and look how long this is in doing so long shal the wolfe do no harm to any liuing creature within that territorie or lordship Thus much by way of digression now it is time to return to the discourse of those liuing creatures which be raunged in their seuerall kinds and such as are neither tame nor sauage THE TVVENTY NINTH BOOK OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS CHAP. I. ¶ The Originall of Physicke When Physitians began to visit the sicke in their houses When came vp first The manner of curing diseases by outward application of Ointments and by frications Of Chrysippus and Erasistratus Of the Empirick practise of Physicke Of Herophilus and other famous Physitians How many times the order of Physick hath bin changed Who was the first professâ—…d Physitian in Rome and when he began to practise What opinion or conceit the antient Romanes had of Physitians Finally the imperfections and defaults in this art of Physicke THe admirable nature of a number of medicines as wel those which I haue already shewed as those which remain as yet to be handled forceth me to write yet more of Physicke and to sound to the very depth and bottome albeit I know full well that there is not a Latine writer who hath trauelled hitherto in this argument and am not ignorant how ticklish and dangerous a point it is at first to set abroch any new matters especially such whereby a man is sure to reape but small thanks and in deliuerie whereof is to make account of a world of difficulties But forasmuch as it is very like that those who are well acquainted with this study will muse how it is come about that the remedies drawn from simples so easie to be found and so accommodat to maladies are cast behind and grown out of vse in the practise of physick it cannot be but withall they must maruell much and think it a great indignity that no science and profession in the world hath had lesse solidity in it and bin more vnconstant yea and how it daily changeth still notwithstanding there is not any other more profitable and gainfull than it But to enter into the discourse thereof First and formost the inuention of this Art hath been fathered vpon the gods such I mean as are canonized gods in heauen yea and euen at this day we haue recourse stil vnto diuine Oracles for many medicines Moreouer the fabulous tales deuised by Poets haue giuen a greater name and reputation thereto in regard of the offence committed by Aesculapius in raising prince Hippolytus again to life for which bold part of his Iupiter being highly displeased smote him dead with lightning And yet for al this Antiquity hath not staid there but made relation of others who were reuiued by the means of the said Aesculapius or his art which during the Trojan war whereof the fame and bruit is more certain grew into much request and estimation and yet in those daies there was no other part of Physicke professed and practised but Chirurgery and that in the cure of wounds only But in the age insuing and for many a yeare after wonderful it is in what obscurity this noble science lay dead and as it were buried in darknesse and obliuion euen vntill the famous Peloponesiacke war for then arose Hippocrates who reuiued and set on foot againe the antient practise of Aesculapius so long forelet and being borne in Coos a renowned and wealthie Island altogether deuote and consecrated to Aesculapius he made an extract of al the receits which were found written in the temple of the said god for the maner was in that Island that whosoeuer were cured and deliuered of any disease registred there vpon record the experiments of medicines whereby they had remedie to the end that afterward they might haue help again by the same in like cases therupon as our countreyman Varro is persuaded after that the said temple was burned hee professed that course of Physick which is called Clinice Wherby Physitians found such sweetnes that afterwards there was no measure nor end of fees insomuch as Prodicus a disciple of Hippocrates and borne in Silymbria erecting that kind of practise in Physicke which is called Iatraliptice opened by that meanes the way to inrich euen those who vnder Physitians were employed in rubbing and annointing mens bodies yea and brought gaine to other base and seruile ministers atending vpon their cures After them came Chrysippus in place who through his much babble and pratling wherewith he was well furnished altered the Theoricke and speculatiue Physicke of Hippocrates and Prodicus with all their principles whom succeeded Erasistratus Aristotles sisters son and he chaunged also many of Chrysippus his rules and receits notwithstanding he was a scholler of his and brought vp vnder him This Erasistratus for curing king Antiochus receiued of his sonne Ptolomaeus king after him one hundred talents which to beginne withall I note by the way that you may see how euen in those daies Physitians were well rewarded for their pains and skill But in processe of time one Acro a citizen of Agrigentum in Sicilie much commended by the authority of Empedocles the famous naturall Philosopher began in that Island to institute another faction and sect of Physitians who grounding altogether their worke and operation vpon experience called themselues Empiriques Thus there beeing diuers schooles of Physick the professors in euery one of them entred into contention and variance some siding this way and others taking the contrary vntill at length Herophilus