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
Eratosthenes tells us that in Asia there have perished the nations
of the Solymi[4156], the Leleges[4157], the Bebryces[4158], the
Colycantii, and the Tripsedri. Isidorus adds to these the Arimi[4159],
as also the Capretæ, settled on the spot where Apamea[4160] stands,
which was founded by King Seleucus, between Cilicia, Cappadocia,
Cataonia, and Armenia, and was at first called Damea[4161], from the
fact that it had conquered nations most remarkable for their fierceness.
CHAP. 34. (31.)—THE ISLANDS WHICH LIE IN FRONT OF ASIA.
Of the islands which lie before Asia the first is the one situate in
the Canopic Mouth of the Nile, and which received its name, it is
said, from Canopus, the pilot of Menelaüs. A second, called Pharos, is
joined by a bridge to Alexandria, and was made a colony by the Dictator
Cæsar. In former times it was one day’s sail[4162] from the mainland
of Egypt; at the present day it directs ships in their course by means
of the fires which are lighted at night on the tower[4163] there;
for in consequence of the insidious nature of the shoals, there are
only three channels by which Alexandria can be approached, those of
Steganus[4164], Posideum[4165] and Taurus.
In the Phœnician Sea, before Joppe there is the island of Paria[4166],
the whole of it forming a town. Here, they say, Andromeda was exposed
to the monster: the island also of Arados, already mentioned[4167],
between which and the continent, as we learn from Mucianus, at a depth
of fifty cubits in the sea, fresh water is brought up from a spring at
the very bottom by means of leather pipes[4168].
CHAP. 35.—CYPRUS.
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