CHAP. 12. (6.)—CORSICA.
In the Ligurian Sea, but close to the Tuscan, is Corsica,
by the Greeks called Cyrnos, extending, from north to
south 150 miles, and for the most part 50 miles in breadth,
its circumference being 325. It is 62 miles distant from
the Vada Volaterrana[1]. It contains thirty-two states, and
two colonies, that of Mariana[2], founded by C. Marius, and
that of Aleria, founded by the Dictator Sylla. On this
side of it is Oglasa[3], and, at a distance of less than sixty
miles from Corsica, Planaria[4], so called from its appearance, being nearly level with the sea, and consequently
treacherous to mariners.
We next have Urgo[5], a larger island, and Capraria, which
the Greeks have called Ægilion[6]; then Igilium[7] and Dianium[8], which they have also called Artemisia, both of them
opposite the coast of Cosa; also Barpana[9], Mænaria, Co-
lumbaria, and Venaria. We then come to Ilva[10] with its iron
mines, an island 100 miles in circumference, 10 miles distant
from Populonium, and called Æthalia by the Greeks: from
it the island of Planasia[11] is distant 28 miles. After these,
beyond the mouths of the Tiber, and off the coast of Antium,
we come to Astura[12], then Palmaria and Sinonia, and, opposite to Formiæ, Pontiæ. In the Gulf of Puteoli are Pandateria[13], and Prochyta, so called, not from the nurse of
Æneas, but because it has been poured forth[14] or detached
from Ænaria[15], an island which received its name from having been the anchorage of the fleet of Æneas, though called
by Homer Inarime[16]; it is also called Pithecusa, not, as
many have fancied, on account of the multitudes of apes
found there, but from its extensive manufactories of pottery.
Between Pausilipum[17] and Neapolis lies the island of Megaris[18], and then, at a distance of eight miles from Surrentum,
Capreæ[19], famous for the castle of the emperor Tiberius: it
is eleven miles in circumference.
1. In ancient Etruria, now Torre di Vada. The distance is, in reality,
about ninety miles.
2. Mariana was situate in the northern part of the island, and the ruins
of Aleria are still to be seen on the banks of the river Tavignano, near
the coast.
3. Probably near the present Monte Cristo.
4. He probably means the group of islands called Formicole, which are
situate only thirty-three miles from Corsica, and not near sixty.
5. Now La Gorgona.
6. Both of these names meaning "Goat island." It is now called
Capraia.
7. The modern Giglio.
8. Now Gianuto, opposite Monte Argentaro on the main-land.
9. These are probably the small islands now called Formiete or Formicole di Grossetto, Troja, Palmajola, and Cervoli.
10. The modern Elba.
11. Now Pianosa.
12. Astura still retains its ancient name, Palmaria is the present Palmarola, Sinonia is now Senone, and Pontiæ is the modern Isola di Ponza.
13. Now Ventotiene.
14. Deriving its name from the Greek word proxuto\s, meaning "poured
forth."
15. The present island of Ischia, off the coasts of Campania. The name
of Pithecusæ appears to have been given by the Greeks to the two islands
of Ænaria and Prochyta collectively.
16. Ovid, like many other writers, mentions Inarime as though a different
island from Pithecusæ. See Met. B. xiv. 1.89. As is here mentioned by
Pliny, many persons derived the name "Pithecusæ" from pi/qhkos "an
ape," and, according to Strabo, "Aremus" was the Etrurian name for an
ape. Ovid, in the Metamorphoses, loc. cit., confirms this tradition by
relating the change of the natives into apes. The solution of its name
given by Pliny appears however extremely probable, that it gained its
name from its manufacture of piqhka\, or earthen vessels. Virgil is supposed to have coined the name of "Inarime."
17. Now Posilippo. It is said to have derived its name from the Greek
pausi)lupon, as tending to drive away care by the beauty of its situation.
Virgil was buried in its vicinity.
18. The modern Castel del' Ovo.
19. Now Capri. Here Tiberius established his den of lustfulness and
iniquity. He erected twelve villas in the island, the remains of several
of which are still to be seen.