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
Beyond Eubœa, and out in the Myrtoan[2688] Sea, are numerous other
islands; but those more especially famous are, Glauconnesos and the
Ægila[2689]. Off the promontory, too, of Geræstus are the Cyclades,
lying in a circle around Delos, from which circumstance[2690] they
derive their name. The first of them is the one called Andros[2691]
with a city of the same name, distant from Geræstus ten miles, and
from Ceos thirty-nine. Myrsilus tells us that this island was at first
called Cauros, and after that Antandros; Callimachus calls it Lasia,
and others again Nonagria, Hydrussa, and Epagris. It is ninety-three
miles in circumference. At a distance of one mile from Andros and of
fifteen from Delos, is Tenos[2692], with a city of the same name; this
island is fifteen miles in length. Aristotle says that it was formerly
called Hydrussa, from the abundance of water found here, while some
writers call it Ophiussa[2693]. The other islands are, Myconos[2694],
with the mountain of Dimastus[2695], distant from Delos fifteen[2696]
miles; Siphnus[2697], formerly called Meropia and Acis, twenty-eight
miles in circumference; Seriphus[2698], twelve miles in circuit;
Prepesinthus[2699]; Cythnos[2700]; and then, by far the most famous
among the Cyclades, and lying in the very middle of them, Delos[2701]
itself, so famous for its temple of Apollo, and its extensive commerce.
This island long floated on the waves, and, as tradition says, was
the only one that had never experienced an earthquake, down to the
time of M. Varro[2702]; Mucianus however has informed us, that it has
been twice so visited. Aristotle states that this island received its
name from the fact of its having so suddenly made its appearance[2703]
on emerging from the sea; Aglaosthenes, however, gives it the name
of Cynthia, and others of Ortygia[2704], Asteria, Lagia, Chlamydia,
Cynthus, and, from the circumstance of fire having been first
discovered here, Pyrpile. Its circumference is five miles only; Mount
Cynthus[2705] here raises his head.
Next to this island is Rhene[2706], which Anticlides calls by the
name of Celadussa, and Callidemus, Artemite; Scyros[2707], which the
old writers have stated to be twenty miles in circumference, but
Mucianus 160; Oliaros[2708]; and Paros[2709], with a city of the
same name, distant from Delos thirty-eight miles, and famous for its
marble[2710]; it was first called Platea, and after that, Minois. At
a distance of seven miles from this last island is Naxos[2711], with
a town of the same name; it is eighteen miles distant from Delos.
This island was formerly called Strongyle[2712], then Dia, and then
Dionysias[2713], in consequence of the fruitfulness of its vineyards;
others again have called it the Lesser Sicily, or Callipolis[2714]. It
is seventy-five[2715] miles in circumference—half as large again as
Paros.
CHAP. 23.—THE SPORADES.
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