CHAP. 37.—SAMOS.
The coast of Ionia has the islands of Trageæ, Corseæ[1],
and Icaros, which has been previously[2] mentioned; Lade[3],
formerly called Late; and, among others of no note, the two
Camelidæ[4], in the vicinity of Miletus; and the three
Trogiliæ[5], near Mycale, consisting of Philion, Argennon, and
Sandalion. There is Samos also, a free[6] island, eighty-seven
miles in circumference, or, according to Isidorus, 100. Aristotle
tells us, that it was at first called Parthenia[7], after
that Dryussa[8], and then Anthemussa[9]. To these names
Aristocritus has added Melamphllus[10] and Cyparissia[11]:
other writers, again, call it Parthenoarussa[12] and Stephane[13].
The rivers of tis island are the Imbrasus, the Chesius, and
the Ibettes. There are also the fountains of Gigartho and
Leucothea; and Mount Cercetius. In the vicinity of Samos
are the islands of Rhypara, Nymphæa, and Achillea.
1. Over against the isle of Samos.
2. B. iv. c. 23.
3. Near the city of Miletus.
4. So called from their resemblance to camels.
5. Lying before the Promontory of Trogilium, mentioned in C. 31.
6. Augustus gave their liberty to the Samians. The island is still
called by the Greeks Samo, and by the Turks Susam Adassi.
7. The "Virgin's Island," if so called after Juno, as some say; but
according to Strabo, it received its name from the river Parthenius.
8. From its numerous oaks.
9. From the abundance of its flowers.
10. "Of dark," or "black foliage;" in allusion probably to its cypresses.
11. "Cypress-bearing."
12. This is note improbably a compound, formed by a mistake of the
copyists, of the two names, Parthenia and Aryusa, mentioned by
Heraclides.
13. "The Crown." This island was the birth-place of Pythagoras.