CHAP. 30.—ISLANDS OF THE IONIAN SEA AND THE ADRIATIC.
In the Ausonian Sea there are no islands worthy of
notice beyond those which we have already mentioned, and
only a few in the Ionian; those, for instance, upon the Calabrian coast, opposite Brundusium, by the projection of which
a harbour is formed; and, over against the Apulian coast,
Diomedia[1], remarkable for the monument of Diomedes, and
another island called by the same name, but by some Teutria.
The coast of Illyricum is clustered with more than 1000
islands, the sea being of a shoaly nature, and numerous
creeks and æstuaries running with their narrow channels
between portions of the land. The more famous are those
before the mouths of the Timavus, with warm springs[2] that
rise with the tides of the sea, the island of Cissa near the
territory of the Istri, and the Pullaria[3] and Absyrtides[4], so
called by the Greeks from the circumstance of Absyrtus,
the brother of Medea, having been slain there. Some islands
near them have been called the Electrides[5], upon which
amber, which they call "electrum," was said to be found;
a most assured instance however of that untruthfulness[6] which
is generally ascribed to the Greeks, seeing
that it has never vet been ascertained which of the islands
were meant by them under that name. Opposite to the Iader
is Lissa, and other islands whose names have been already
mentioned[7]. Opposite to the Liburni are some islands
called the Crateæ, and no smaller number styled Liburniecæ
and Celadussæ[8]. Opposite to Surium is Bavo, and Brattia[9],
famous for its goats, Issa with the rights of Roman citizens,
and Pharia with a town. At a distance of twenty-five miles
from Issa is Corcyra[10], surnamed Melæna, with a town founded
by the Cnidians; between which and Illyricum is Melite[11],
from which, as we learn from Callimachus, a certain kind
of little dogs were called Melitæi; fifteen miles from it we
find the seven Elaphites[12]. In the Ionian Sea, at a distance
of twelve miles from Oricum, is Sasonis[13], notorious from
having been a harbour of pirates.
Summary.—The towns and nations mentioned are in
number****[14]. The rivers of note are in number****.
The mountains of note are in number****. The islands
are in number****. The towns or nations which have
disappeared are in number****. The facts, statements,
and observations are in number 326.
Roman Authors quoted.—Turannius Gracilis[15],
Cornelius Nepos[16], T. Livius[17], Cato the Censor[18], M. Agrip-
pa[19], M. Varro[20], the Emperor Augustus[21] now
deified, Varro Atacinus[22], Antias[23], Hyginus[24], L.
Vetus[25], Pomponius Mela[26],
Curio[27] the Elder, Cælius[28], Arruntius[29], Sebosus[30], Licinius
Mucianus[31], Fabricius Tuscus[32], L. Ateius[33],
Capito[34], Verrius Flaccus[35], L. Piso[36],
Gellianus[37], and Valerianus[38].
Foreign Authors quoted.—Artemidorus[39], Alexander
Polyhistor[40], Thucydides[41], Theophrastus[42], Isidorus[43], Theopompus[44], Metrodorus of Scepsis[45], Callicrates[46], Xenophon
of Lampsacus[47], Diodorus of Syracuse[48], Nymphodorus[49],
Calliphanes[50], and Timagenes[51].
1. More properly "Diomedeæ," being a group of small islands off the
coast of Apulia now called Isole di Tremiti, about eighteen miles from
the mouth of the Fortore. They were so called from the fable that here
the companions of Diomedes were changed into birds. A species of seafowl (which Pliny mentions in B. x. c. 44) were said to be the descendants of these Greek sailors, and to show a great partiality for such
persons as were of kindred extraction. See Ovid's Metamorphoses,
B. xiv. 1. 500. The real number of these islands was a matter of dispute
with the ancients, but it seems that there are but three, and some mere
rocks. The largest of the group is the island of San Domenico, and the
others are San Nicola and Caprara. The small island of Pianosa, eleven
miles N.E., is not considered one of the group, but is not improbably
the Teutria of Pliny. San Domenico was the place of banishment of Julia,
the licentious daughter of Augustus.
2. Now called the Bagni di Monte Falcone. See B. ii. c. 106.
3. Now called Cherso and Osero, off the Illyrian coast. Ptolemy
mentions only one, Apsorrus, on which he places a town of that name
and another called Crepsa. The Pullaria are now called Li Brioni, in
the Sinus Flanaticus, opposite the city of Pola.
4. See p. 258.
5. In B. xxxvii. c. 11, lie again mentions this circumstance, and states
that some writers have placed them in the Adriatic opposite the mouths
of the Padus. Scymnus of Chios makes mention of them in conjunction
with the Absyrtides. This confusion probably arose from the fact previously noted that the more ancient writers had a confused idea that the
Ister communicated with the Adiatic, at the same time mistaking it probably for the Vistula, which flows into the Baltic. At the mouth of this
last-mentioned river, there were Electrides or "amber-bearing "islands.
6. "Vanitatis."
7. Crexa, Gissa, and Colentun, in c. 25.
8. According to Brotier, these are situate between the islands of Zuri
and Sebenico, and are now called Kasvan, Capri, Smolan, Tihat, Sestre,
Parvich, Zlarin, &c. Some writers however suggest that there were
no islands called Celadussse, and that the name in Pliny is a corruption of
Dyscelados in Pomponius Mela; which in its turn is supposed to have been
invented from what was really an epithet of Issa, in a line of Apollonius
Rhodius, B. iv. 1. 565. )Issa\ te duske/lados, "and
inauspicious Issa." See Brunck's remarks on the passage.
9. Now Brazza. According to Brotier the island is still celebrated
for the delicate flavour of the flesh of its goats and lambs. Issa is now
called Lissa, and Pharia is the modern Lesina. Baro, now Bua, lies off
the coast of Dalmatia, and was used as a place of banishment under the
emperors.
10. Now Curzola, or, in the Sclavonic, Karkar. It obtained its name of
Nigra or Melæna, "black," from the dark colour of its pine woods.
Sir G. Wilkinson describes it in his "Dalmatia and Montenegro," vol. i.
11. Now called Meleda or Zapuntello. It is more generally to the
other island of Melita or Malta that the origin of the "Melitæi" or Maltese
dogs is ascribed. Some writers are of opinion that it was upon this
island that St. Paul was shipwrecked, and not the larger Melita.
12. So called from their resemblance to a stag, e)/lafos, of which the
modern Giupan formed the head, Ruda the neck, Mezzo the body, Calamotta the haunches, and the rock of Grebini or Pettini the tail. They
produce excellent wine and oil, and are looked upon as the most valuable
part of the Ragusan territory.
13. Still known as Sasino. It is ten miles from Ragusa, the port of
Oricum, according to Pouqueville.
14. The original numbers are lost.
15. He was a Spaniard by birth, a native of Mellaria in Hispania Bætica.
He is mentioned by Cicero as a man of great learning, and is probably
the same person that is mentioned by Ovid in his Pontic Epistles, B. iv.
ep. xvi. 1. 29, as a distinguished tragic writer.
16. See end of B. ii.
17. See end of B. ii.
18. M. Porcius Cato, or Cato the Elder; famous as a statesman, a
patriot, and a philosopher. He wrote "De Re Rustica," a work which
still survives, and "Letters of Instruction to his Son," of which only some
fragments remain. He also wrote a historical work called "Origines,"
of which Pliny makes considerable use. Of this also only a few fragments
are left. His life has been written by Cornelius Nepos, Plutarch, and
Aurelius Victor.
19. M. Vipsanius Agrippa, the distinguished partisan of Augustus, to
whose niece Marcella he was married, but he afterwards divorced her
for Julia, the daughter of Augustus by Scribonia, and the widow of
Marcellus. He distinguished himself in Gaul, at Actium, and in Illyria.
He constructed many public works at Rome, and among then the
Pantheon; he also built the splendid aqueduct at Nismes. He died
suddenly
in his 51st year. His body was buried in the Mausoleum of Augustus,
who pronounced his funeral oration. He wrote memoirs of his own life.
Pliny often refers to the "Commentarii" of Agrippa, by which are meant,
it is supposed, certain official lists drawn up by him in the measurement
of the Roman world under Augustus. His map of the world is also
mentioned by Pliny in c. 3 of the present Book.
20. See end of B. ii.
21. From Servius, Suetonius and Plutarch we learn that Augustus wrote
Memoirs of his Life, in thirteen books; from Suetonius, that he composed a Summary of the Empire (which was probably that referred to in
the above note on Agrippa); and from Quintilian, Aulus Gellius, and Pliny,
B. xviii. c. 38, that he published Letters written to his grandson Caius.
22. P. Terentius Varro, surnamed Atacinus, from the Atax, a river of
Gallia Narbonensis, in which province he was born, B.C. 82. Of his
"Argonautica," his "Cosmographia" (probably the same with his "Iter"),
his "Navales Libri," and his Heroic and Amatory Poems, only a few
fragments now exist. Of his life nothing whatever is known.
23. Valerias Antias. See end of B. ii.
24. C. Julius Hyainus, a native of Spain, and freedman of Augustus, by
whom he was placed at the Palatine Library. He lived upon terms of
intimacy with Ovid. He wrote works on the sites of the cities of Italy,
the Nature of the Gods, an account of the Penates, an account of Virgil
(probably the same as the work called "Commentaries on Virgil"), on the
Families of Trojan descent, on Agriculture, the "Propempticon Cinnæ,"
the Lives of Illustrious Men (quoted by John of Salisbury in his "Polycraticon "), a book of Examples, and a work on the Art of War, also mentioned by John of Salisbury. A book of Fables, and an Astronomical
Poem, in four books, are ascribed to him, but they are probably productions of a later age.
25. L. Antistius Vetus, Consul with Nero, A.D. 55. While commanding in Germany he formed the project of connecting the Moselle and the
Saone by a canal, thus establishing a communication between the Mediterranean and the Northern Ocean. Nero having resolved on his death,
he anticipated his sentence by opening his veins in a warm bath. His
mother-in-law Sextia, and his daughter Pollentia, in a similar manner
perished with him.
26. He was born, it is supposed, at Tingentera, or Cingentera, on the bay
of Algesiras, and probably flourished in the reign of Claudius. He was
the first Roman author who wrote a treatise on Geography. It is still
extant, and bears marks of great care, while it is written in pure
and unaffected language.
27. C. Scribonius Curio, the third known of that name. He was the
first Roman general who advanced as far as the Danube. Like his son
of the same name, he was a violent opponent of Julius Cæsar. He was
eloquent as an orator, but ignorant and uncultivated. His orations were
published, as also an invective against Cæsar, in form of a dialogue, in
which his son was introduced as one of the interlocutors. He died B.C. 53.
28. L. Cælius Antipater. See end of B. ii.
29. L. Arruntius, Consul, A.D. 6. Augustus declared in his last illness
that he was worthy of the empire. This, with his riches and talents,
rendered him an object of suspicion to Tiberius. Being charged as an
accomplice in the crimes of Albucilla, he put himself to death by opening
his veins. It appears not to be certain whether it was this person or his
father who wrote a history of the first Punic war, in which he imitated
the style of Sallust.
30. Statius Sebosus. See end of B. ii.
31. Licinius Crassus Mucianus. See end of B. ii.
32. Of this writer no particulars whatever are known.
33. In most editions this name appears as L. Ateius Capito, but Sillig
separates them, and with propriety it would appear, as the name of
Capito the great legist was not Lucius. Ateius here mentioned was
probably the person surnamed Prætextatus, and Philologus, a freedman
of the jurist Ateius Capito. For Sallust the historian he composed an
Abstract of Roman History, and for Asinius Pollio he compiled precepts
on the Art of Writing. His Commentaries were numerous, but a few
only were surviving in the time of Suetonius.
34. C. Ateius Capito, one of the most famous of the Roman legists, and
a zealous partisan of Augustus, who had him elevated to the Consulship
A.D. 5. He was the rival of Labeo, the republican jurist. His legal
works were very voluminous, and extracts from them are to be found in
the Digest. He also wrote a work on the Pontifical Rights and the Law
of Sacrifices.
35. A distinguished grammarian of the latter part of the first century
B.C. He was entrusted by Augustus with the education of his grandsons
Caius and Lucius Cæsar. He died at an advanced age in the reign of
Tiberius. He wrote upon antiquities, history, and philosophy: among
his numerous works a History of the Etruscans is mentioned, also a
treatise on Orthography. Pliny quotes him very frequently.
36. See end of B. ii.
37. He is mentioned in c. 17, but nothing more is known of him.
38. Nothing is known of him. The younger Pliny addressed three
Epistles to a person of this name, B. ii. Ep. 15, B. v. Ep. 4. 14.
39. See end of B. ii.
40. Also called by Pliny Cornelius Alexander. Suidas states that he
was a native of Ephesus and a disciple of Crates, and during the war of
Sylla in Greece was made prisoner and sold as a slave to C. Lentulus, who
made him the tutor of his children, and afterwards restored him to freedom. Servius however says that he received the franchise from L. Cornelius Sylla. He was burnt with his house at Laurentum. Other writers
say that he was a native of Catiæum in Lesser Phrygia. The surname of
"Polyhistor" was given to him for his prodigious learning. His greatest
work seems to have been a historical and geographical account of the
world, in forty-two books. Other works of his are frequently mentioned
by Plutarch, Photius, and other writers.
41. The historian of the Peloponnesian war, and the most famous,
perhaps, of all the ancient writers in prose.
42. Of Eresus in Lesbos; the favourite disciple of Aristotle, and designated by him as his successor in the presidency of the Lyceum. He
composed more than 200 works on various subjects, of which only a very
few survive.
43. See end of B. ii.
44. See end of B. ii.
45. He is frequently mentioned by Cicero, and was famous for his
eloquence. Pliny informs us in his 34th book, that from his hatred of
the
Romans he was called the "Roman-hater." It is probable that he was
the writer of a Periegesis, or geographical work, from which Pliny seems
to quote.
46. No particulars of this author are known. He probably wrote on
geography.
47. He is again mentioned by Pliny in B. iv. c. 13, and B. vi. c. 31, and
by Solinus, c. xxii. 60. It is supposed that he was the author of a Periplus or Circumnavigation of the Earth, mentioned by Pliny B. vii. c. 48;
but nothing further is known of him.
48. Diodorus Siculus was a native of Agyra or Agyrium, and not of
Syracuse, though lie may possibly have resided or studied there. It
cannot be doubted that he is the person here meant, and Pliny refers
in his
preface by name to his Biblioqh/kh, "Library," or Universal
History.
A great portion of this miscellaneous but valuable work has perished.
We have but few particulars of his life; but he is supposed to have
written his work after B.C. 8.
49. Of Syracuse; an historian probably of the time of Philip and
Alexander. He was the author of a Periplus of
Asia, and an account of Sicily
and Sardinia. From his stories in the last he obtained the name of
"Thaumatographus "or "writer of wonders."
50. Of Calliphanes the Geographer nothing is known.
51. Probably Timagenes, the rhetorician of Alexandria. He was taken
prisoner and brought to Rome, but redeemed from captivity by Faustus,
the son of Sylla. He wrote many works, but it is somewhat doubtful
whether the "Periplus," in five Books, was written by this Timagenes. He
is also supposed to have written a work on the Antiquities of Gaul.