The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 1 (of 6)Pliny, the Elder
History
The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 1 (of 6)
Pliny, the Elder
Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works
The other cities of Achaia worthy of mention are those of the
Aliphiræi[2288], the Abeatæ[2289], the Pyrgenses[2290], the
Paroreatæ[2291], the Paragenitæ, the Tortuni, the Typanei[2292], the
Thriasii[2293], and the Tritienses[2294]. Domitius Nero [the emperor]
granted liberty to the whole of Achaia[2295]. The Peloponnesus, from
the Promontory of Malea to the town of Ægium[2296] on the Corinthian
Gulf, is 190 miles in length, and 125 miles across from Elis to
Epidaurus; the distance being, from Olympia to Argos, through Arcadia,
sixty-eight miles. The distance from Olympia to Phlius has been already
mentioned[2297]. Throughout the whole of this region, as though nature
had been desirous to compensate for the inroads of the sea, seventy-six
mountains raise their lofty heads.
CHAP. 11. (7.)—ATTICA.
At the narrow neck of the Isthmus, Hellas begins, by our people known
as Græcia. The first state that presents itself is Attica, anciently
called Acte[2298]. It touches the Isthmus in that part of it which is
called Megaris, from the colony of Megara[2299], lying on the opposite
side to Pagæ[2300].
These two towns are situate at the spot where the Peloponnesus
projects to the greatest distance; being placed, one on each side,
upon the very shoulders of Hellas as it were. The Pagæans, as well
as the people of Ægosthena[2301], belong to the jurisdiction of
Megara. On the coast there is the port of Schœnos[2302], the towns
of Sidus[2303] and Cremmyon[2304], the Scironian Rocks[2305], six
miles in length, Geranea, Megara, and Eleusis[2306]. Œnoë[2307] and
Probalinthos also formerly existed here; the ports of Piræus and
Phalerum[2308] are distant from the Isthmus fifty-five miles, being
united to Athens, which lies in the interior, by a wall[2309] five
miles in length. Athens is a free city, and needs[2310] not a word
more from us in its commendation; of fame it enjoys even more than
enough. In Attica there are the Fountains of Cephisia[2311], Larine,
Callirrhoë Enneacrunos[2312], and the mountains of Brilessus[2313],
Ægialeus, Icarius, Hymettus[2314], Lycabettus[2315], and the place
where Ilissus[2316] stood. At the distance of forty-five miles from
the Piræus is the Promontory of Sunium[2317]. There is also the
Promontory of Thoricos[2318]; Potamos[2319], Steria[2320], and
Brauron[2321], once towns, the borough of Rhamnus[2322], the place
where Marathon[2323] stood, the Thriasian[2324] plain, the town of
Melite[2325], and Oropus[2326] upon the confines of Bœotia.
CHAP. 12.—BŒOTIA.
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