CHAP. 13.—SARDINIA.
Leucothea comes next, and after it, but out of sight, as it
lies upon the verge of the African Sea, Sardinia. It is situate
somewhat less[1] than eight miles from the nearest point of
Corsica, and the Straits between them are even still more
reduced by the small islands there situate, called the Cuniculariæ[2], as also those of Phintonis[3] and Fossæ, from
which last the Straits themselves have obtained the name of
Taphros[4].
(7.) Sardinia extends, upon the east side, a distance of
188 miles, on the west 175, on the south 77, and on the
north 125, being 565 miles in circumference. Its promontory of Caralis[5] is distant from Africa 200, and from
Gades 1400 miles. Off the promontory of Gordis[6] it has
two islands called the Isles of Hercules[7], off that of Sulcis,
the island of Enosis[8], and off that of Caralis, Ficaria[9]. Some
writers place Beleris not far from it, as also Callodis, and the
island known as Heras Lutra[10].
The most celebrated peoples of this island are the Ilienses[11],
the Balari, and the Corsi; and among its eighteen towns,
there are those of the Sulcitani[12], the Valentini[13], the Neapoli-
tani[14], the Bosenses[15], the Caralitani[16], who enjoy the rights of
Roman citizens, and the Norenses[17]. There is also one colony
which is called Ad Turrim Libysonis[18]. Timæus has called
this island Sandaliotis, on account of the similarity of its shape
to the sole of a shoe, while Myrtilus has given it the name of
Ichnusa[19], from its resemblance to the print of a footstep.
Opposite to the Gulf of Pæstum is Leucasia[20], so called from
a Siren who is buried there; opposite to Velia are Poiitia
and Isacia, both known by one name, that of Œnotrides, a
proof that Italy was formerly possessed by the Œnotrians.
Opposite to Vibo are the little islands called Ithacesiæ[21]
from the watch-tower of Ulysses situate there.
1. The distance between is hardly five miles.
2. These rocks appear at the present day to be nameless. The old name
seems to mean, the "Rabbit Warrens."
3. Phintonis, according to Hardouin, is the modern Isola di Figo, according to Mannert, Caprera. Cluver makes Fossæ to be the present Isola
Rossa, while Mannert considers it to be the same with Santa Maddalena.
4. Tafro\s being the Greek for the Latin word "fossa," the ordinary
meaning of which is an "excavation."
5. Probably the Cape of Carbonara, from which however Africa is distant
only 121 miles, and the gulf of Gades or Cadiz 980.
6. Now Capo Falcone.
7. Now Asinara or Zavara, and Isola Piana.
8. Now called Santo Antiocho, off La Punta dell' Ulga.
9. According to Cluver, the modern Coltelalzo.
10. The "Baths of Juno." The identity of these islands does not
appear to have been ascertained.
11. Said by Pausanias to have been descended from persons who escaped
on the fall of Troy under the command of Iolaüs.
12. Of the town of Sulcis. Its ruins are probably those seen at the
village of Sulci, near the port Palma di Solo.
13. Their town was probably on the site of the present Iglesias.
14. Their town was probably either the present Napoli or Acqua di Corsari.
15. Their town is probably indicated by the ruins on the river Gavino.
16. Their town was Caralis, the present Cagliari.
17. Their town was probably Nora, the present Torre Forcadizo.
18. "At Libyso's Tower."
19. From the Greek i)/xnos, "a footstep."
20. Now La Licosa, a small rocky island.
21. Now Torricella, Praca, and Brace, with other rocks.