The city of Sybaris stood between two rivers, the Sybaris and the Crathis. The ancients asserted that the sheep which drank of the Crathis, were white, and those which drank of the Sybaris, black. They attributed similar virtues to other streams in various parts of the world[332]. [332] Ælian, Nat. Anim. xii. 36. Plinii Hist. Nat. xxxi. 9. Kruse’s Hellas, i. p. 369. (See Appendix A.) According to Strabo (L. vi. _cap._ 3. § 9. _p._ 303. _ed. Siebenkees_) the hilly promontory of Garganus was particularly celebrated for its sheep. He says, that their wool was softer than the Tarentine, but less shining. The Roman poets allude in various instances to the excellence of the Apulian wool, and especially to that of Tarentum. Horace in the following stanza expresses his predilection for this celebrated city, and mentions its “soft” or “covered” sheep. He had been asserting his wish to end his days at Tibur, the modern Tivoli. But, should the partial Fates refuse That purer air to let me breathe, Galesus, thy sweet stream I’ll choose, Where flocks of richest fleeces bathe: Phalanthus there his rural sceptre sway’d, Uncertain offspring of a Spartan maid. _Od._ _l._ ii. 6.--_Francis’s Translation._ Martial alludes to the celebrity of the Tarentine wool in no less than five of his epigrams. Spartan Galesus did your toga lave, Or from a flock select fair Parma gave. L. ii. _ep._ 43. _l._ 3, 4. The poet intended here to describe a toga of the most expensive and fashionable kind. You give, O Chloe, to Lupercus, Your tender favorite, lacernas Of Spanish, Tyrian, scarlet fleeces, And togas wash’d in warm Galesus. L. iv. _ep._ 28. _l._ 1-3. Thou wast more sweet, O lovely child! Than song of aged dying swans: Thy voice, thy mien were soft and mild As Phalantine Galesus’ lambs. L. v. _ep._ 37. _l._ 1, 2. The last lines were written by Martial on the death of Erotion in her sixth year. He describes her interesting qualities by comparing her to a lamb of the soft Tarentine breed, always clothed and usually kept in the house and hence remarkably tender and delicate. The following epigram (L. viii. _ep._ 28.) was written on the receipt of a handsome toga from the wealthy and munificent Parthenius, chamberlain to the emperor Domitian. In expressing his admiration of it, the poet enumerates the places from which the Romans of his time obtained the best and most fashionable garments of this description. He next proceeds to extol its whiteness; and in conclusion observes how ridiculous he would appear wearing his old _lacerna_ over this new and snowy garment, and he thus conveys a hint to Parthenius how acceptable and suitable would be the present of a lacerna in addition to the toga. De Partheniana toga.