CHAP. 38.—CHIOS.
At a distance of ninety-four miles from Samos is the free
island of Chios[1], its equal in fame, with a town of the same
name. Ephorus says, that the ancient name of this island
was Æthalia: Metrodorus and Cleobulus tell us, that it had
the name of Chia from the nymph Chione; others again say,
that it was so called from the word signifying snow[2]; it was
also called Macris and Pityusa[3]. It has a mountain called
Pelennæus; and the Chian Marble is well known. It is 125[4]
miles in circumference, according to the ancient writers; Isidorus however makes it nine more. It is situate between
Samos and Lesbos, and, for the most part, lies opposite to
Erythræ[5].
The adjacent islands are Thallusa[6], by some writers called
Daphnusa[7], Œnussa, Elaphitis, Euryanassa, and Arginusa,
with a town of that name. All these islands are in the vicinity of Ephesus, as also those called the Islands of Pisistratus,
Anthinæ, Myonnesos, Diarreusa,—in both of these last
there were cities, now no longer in existence,—Poroselene[8],
with a city of that name, Cerciæ, Halone[9], Commone,
Illetia, Lepria and Rhesperia, Procusæ, Bolbulæ, Phanæ,
Priapos, Syce, Melane, Ænare, Sidusa, Pele, Drymusa[10],
Anhydros, Scopelos[11], Sycussa, Marathussa, Psile, Perirreusa,
and many others of no note. In the main sea lies the
celebrated island of Teos, with a city[12] of that name, seventy-one miles and a half distant from Chios, and the same from
the Erythræ.
In the vicinity of Smyrna are the Peristerides[13], Carteria,
Alopece, Elæussa, Bachina, Pystira, Crommyonnesos, and
Megale[14]. Facing Troas there are the Ascaniæ, and the
three islands called Plateæ. We find also the Lamiæ, the
two islands called Plitaniæ, Plate, Scopelos, Getone, Arthedon,
Cœlæ, Lagussæ, and Didymæ.
1. Now known as Khio, Scio, Saka Adassi, or Saksadasi. Chios was
declared free by the Dictator Sulla.
2. *xiw\n gen. *xio/nos.
3. Macris, from its length, and Pityusa, from its pine-trees.
4. Dalechamps says 112 is the correct measurement.
5. Mentioned in C. 31 of the present Book.
6. Meaning "green and flourishing."
7. "Productive of laurels." None of these islets appear to have been
recognized by their modern names.
8. By Strabo called Pordoselene. He says that the islands in its
vicinity were forty in number; of which Pliny here gives the names of
two-and-twenty.
9. South of Proconncsus; now called Aloni.
10. Near the city of Clazomenæ. It is now called Vourla, according
to Ansart.
11. Now Koutali, according to Ansart.
12. We learn from Strabo and other writers, that this city was on a
peninsula, and that it stood on the southern side of the isthmus,
connecting
Mount Mimas with the mainland of Lydia. It was the birth-place of
Anacreon and Hecatæus.
13. Or the "Dove Islands;" probably from the multitude of those birds
found on those islands.
14. Now called Antigona, according to Ansart.