10. It is related of the Rhodians that their maritime affairs were in a flourishing state, not only from the time of the foundation of the present city, but that many years before the institution of the Olympic festival, they sailed to a great distance from their own country for the protection of sailors. They sailed as far as Spain, and there founded Rhodus, which the people of Marseilles afterwards occupied; they founded Parthenope[139] among the Opici, and Elpiæ in Daunia, with the assistance of Coans. Some authors relate, that after their return from Troy they colonized the Gymnasian islands. According to Timæus, the greater of these islands is the largest known,[140] next the seven following, Sardinia, Sicily, Cyprus, Crete, Eubœa,[141] Corsica, and Lesbos; but this is a mistake, for these others are much larger. It is said, that gymnetes (or light-armed soldiers[142]) are called by the Phœnicians balearides, and that from hence the Gymnasian islands were called Balearides. Some of the Rhodians settled in the neighbourhood of Sybaris, in the Chonian territory.[143] Homer seems to bear evidence of the former prosperity of the Rhodians, from the very foundation of the three cities; “they settled according to their tribes, in three companies, and were the favourites of Jupiter, who showered upon them great wealth.”[144] Other writers have applied these verses to a fable, according to which, at the birth of Minerva, it rained gold on the island from the head of Jupiter, as Pindar has said.[145] The island is 920 stadia in circumference. 11. In sailing from the city, and leaving the island on the right hand, the first place we meet with is Lindus,[146] a city situated on a mountain extending far towards the south, and particularly towards Alexandreia (in Egypt).[147] There is here a celebrated temple of the Lindian Diana, built by the Danaides. Formerly, the Lindians, like the inhabitants of Cameirus,[148] and Ialyssus, formed an independent state, but afterwards they all settled at Rhodes. Cleobulus, one of the seven wise men, was a native of Lindus. 12. Next to Lindus is Ixia,[149] a stronghold, and Mnasyrium; then the Atabyris,[150] the highest mountain in the island, sacred to Jupiter Atabyrius; then Cameirus; then Ialysus a village, and above it is an acropolis called Ochyroma (the Fortification); then, at the distance of about 80 stadia, the city of the Rhodians. Between these is the Thoantium, a sort of beach, immediately in front of which are situated the Sporades islands lying about Chalcis, which we have mentioned before.[151]