CHAP. 2.—ACARNANIA.
The towns of Acarnania[1], the ancient name of which was
Curetis, are Heraclia[2], Echinus[3], and, on the coast, Actium,
a colony founded by Augustus, with its famous temple of
Apollo and the free city of Nicopolis[4]. Passing out of the
Ambracian Gulf into the Ionian Sea, we come to the coast
of Leucadia, with the Promontory of Leucate[5], and then the
Gulf and the peninsula of Leucadia[6], which last was formerly
called Neritis[7]. By the exertions of the inhabitants it was
once cut off from the mainland, but was again joined to it
by the vast bodies of sand accumulated through the action
of the winds. This spot is called Dioryctos[8], and is three
stadia in length: on the peninsula is the town of Leucas,
formerly called Neritus[9]. We next come to Alyzia[10], Stratos[11], and Argos[12], surnamed Amphilochian, cities of the
Acarnanians: the river Acheloüs[13] flows from the heights
of Pindus, and, after separating Acarnania from Ætolia, is
fast adding the island of Artemita[14] to the mainland by the
continual deposits of earth which it brings down its stream.
1. This district probably occupied the present cantons of Vonitza and
Xeromeros. It was called Curetis from the Curetes, who are said to have
come from Ætolia and settled in Acarnania after their expulsion by Ætolus
and his followers.
2. The modern Vonitza is supposed to stand on its site.
3. Leake places its site at Ai Vasili, where some ruins are to be seen.
4. "The city of Victory." Founded by Augustus on the spot where he
had pitched his camp before the battle of Actium.
5. Now called Capo Ducato or Capo tis Kiras. It is situate at the
extremity of the island of Leucas, and opposite to Cephallenia.
Sappho is
said to have leapt from this rock on finding her love for Phaon
unrequited: the story however is devoid of all historical
truth.
6. Now the island of Santa Maura. It was originally a peninsula, and
Homer speaks of it as such; but the Corinthians cut a canal through the
isthmus and converted it into an island. After the canal had been choked
up for some time with sand, the Romans reopened it. It is at present
dry in some parts.
7. Probably from its town Nericus, mentioned by Homer.
8. From the Greek word diorukto\s, a "foss" or "trench."
9. It probably had this name from the circumstance of the inhabitants
of Nericus being removed thither by the Corinthians under Cypselus.
The remains of Leucas, which was ravaged by the Romans B.C. 197, are
still to be seen.
10. Its remains are still to be seen in the valley of Kandili, south of
Vonitza.
11. Pouqueville says that very extensive and perfect ruins of this place
are to be seen near the village of Lepenou.
12. This famous city was deserted on the foundation of Nicopolis by
Augustus. The place of its site has been a subject of much dispute, but
it is considered most probable that Leake has rightly suggested that the
ruins in the plain of Vlikha, at the village of Neokhori, are those of this
city.
13. Now the Aspropotamo.
14. One of the group of the Echinades; small islands off the coast of
Acarnania, which are mentioned by Pliny, in C. 19 of the present Book.
It is now quite united to the mainland.