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CHAPTER I.

[1] AT the foot of the Alps commences the region now known as Italy. The ancients by Italy merely understood Oenotria, which reached from the Strait of Sicily to the Gulf of Taranto, and the region about Posidonium,¹ but the name has extended even to the foot of the Alps; comprehending on one side that portion of Liguria situated by the sea, from the confines of Tyrrhenia to the Var; and on the other, that portion of Istria which extends as far as Pola. It seems probable that the first inhabitants were named Italians, and, being successful, they communicated their name to the neighbouring tribes, and this propagation [of name] continued until the Romans obtained dominion. Afterwards, when the Romans conferred on the Italians the privileges of equal citizenship, and thought fit to extend the same honour to the Cisalpine Galatae and Heneti,² they comprised the whole under the general denomination of Italians and Romans; they likewise founded amongst them numerous colonies, some earlier, some later, of which it would be difficult to say which are the most considerable.

[2] It is not easy to describe the whole of Italy under any one geometrical figure; although some say that it is a promontory of triangular form, extending towards the south and winter rising, with its apex towards the Strait of Sicily, and its base formed by the Alps. . . . . . [No one can allow this definition either for the base or one of the sides,] although it is correct for the other side which terminates at the Strait, and is washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea. But a triangle, properly so called, is a rectilinear figure, whereas in this instance both the base and the sides are curved. So that, if I agree, I must add that the base and the sides are of a curved figure, and it must be conceded to me that the eastern side deviates, as well; otherwise they have not been sufficiently exact in describing as one side that which extends from the head of the Adriatic to the Strait [of Sicily]. For we designate as a side a line without any angle; now a line without any angle is one which does not incline to either side, or but very little; whereas the line from Ariminum³ to the Iapygian promontory,⁴ and that from the Strait [of Sicily] to the same promontory, incline very considerably. The same I consider to be the case with regard to the lines drawn from the head of the Adriatic and Iapygia, for meeting about the neighbourhood of Ariminum and Ravenna, they form an angle, or if not an angle, at least a strongly defined curve. Consequently, if the coast from the head [of the Adriatic] to Iapygia be considered as one side, it cannot be described as a right line; neither can the remainder of the line from hence to the Strait [of Sicily], though it may be considered another side, be said to form a right line. Thus the figure [of Italy] may be said to be rather quadrilateral than trilateral, and can never without impropriety be called a triangle. It is better to confess that you cannot define exactly ungeometrical figures.

[3] [Italy], however, may be described in the following manner. The roots of the Alps are curved, and in the form of a gulf, the head turned towards Italy; the middle of the gulf in the country of the Salassi, and its extremities turned, the one towards Ocra and the head of the Adriatic, the other towards the coast of Liguria as far as Genoa, a mercantile city of the Ligurians, where the Apennines fall in with the Alps. Immediately under [the Alps] there is a considerable plain, of about an equal extent of 2100 stadia both in breadth and length; its southern side is closed by the coast of the Heneti⁵ and the Apennines, which extend to Ariminum and Ancona; for these mountains, commencing at Liguria, enter Tyrrhenia, leaving but a narrow sea-coast; they afterwards retire by degrees into the interior, and having reached the territory of Pisa, turn towards the east in the direction of the Adriatic as far as the country about Ariminum and Ancona, where they approach the sea-coast of the Heneti at right angles. Cisalpine Keltica is enclosed within these limits, and the length of the coast joined to that of the mountains is 6300 stadia; its breadth rather less than 2000. The remainder of Italy is long and narrow, and terminates in two promontories, one⁶ extending to the Strait of Sicily, the other⁷ to Iapygia. It is embraced on one side by the Adriatic,⁸ on the other by the Tyrrhenian Sea.⁹ The form and size of the Adriatic resembles that portion of Italy bounded by the Apennines and the two seas, and extending as far as Iapygia and the isthmus which separates the Gulf of Taranto from that of Posidonium.¹⁰ The greatest breadth of both is about 1300 stadia, and the length not much less than 6000. The remainder of the country is possessed by the Bruttii, and certain of the Leucani. Polybius tells us, that traversing the sea-coast on foot from Iapygia¹¹ to the Strait [of Sicily] there are 3000 stadia, the coast being washed by the Sea of Sicily; but that going by water it is 500 stadia less. The Apennines, after approaching the country about Ariminum and Ancona, and determining the breadth of Italy at this point from sea to sea, change their direction and divide the whole country throughout its length. As far as the Peucetii and Leucani they do not recede much from the Adriatic, but on arriving at the Leucani they decline considerably towards the other sea,¹² and traversing the remainder of the distance through the Leucani and Bruttii, terminate at Leucopetra,¹³ in Reggio. Such is a general description of the whole of present Italy. We will now endeavour to undertake a description of its various parts. And, first, of those situated below the Alps.

[4] This is a superb plain variegated with fruitful hills. The Po divides it almost through its midst, one side being denominated Cispadana, and the other Transpadana. Cispadana comprehends that part next the Apennines and Liguria, and Transpadana the remainder. The former [division] is inhabited by Ligurian and Keltic nations, the former inhabiting the mountains and the latter the plains; and the latter [division] by Kelts and Heneti. These Kelts are of the same race as the Transalpine Kelts. Concerning the Heneti there are two traditions, some saying that they are a colony of those Kelts of the same name who dwell by the ocean.¹⁴ Others say that they are descended from the Veneti of Paphlagonia, who took refuge here with Antenor after the Trojan war; and they give as a proof of this the attention these people bestow on rearing horses; which, though now entirely abandoned, was formerly in great esteem among them, resulting from the ancient rage for breeding mules, which Homer thus mentions:

From the Eneti for forest mules renowned.¹⁵

Iliad ii. 857. It was here that Dionysius, the tyrant of Sicily, kept his stud of race-horses. And, in consequence, the Henetian horses were much esteemed in Greece, and their breed in great repute for a long period.

[5] The whole of this country¹⁶ is full of rivers and marshes, especially the district of the Heneti, which likewise experiences the tides of the sea. This is almost the only part of our sea¹⁷ which is influenced in the same manner as the ocean, and, like it, has ebb and flood tides. In consequence most of the plain is covered with lagoons.¹⁸ The inhabitants have dug canals and dikes, after the manner of Lower Egypt, so that part of the country is drained and cultivated, and the rest is navigable. Some of their cities stand in the midst of water like islands, others are only partially surrounded. Such as lie above the marshes in the interior are situated on rivers navigable for a surprising distance, the Po in particular, which is both a large river, and also continually swelled by the rains and snows. As it expands into numerous outlets, its mouth is not easily perceptible and is difficult to enter. But experience surmounts even the greatest difficulties.

[6] Formerly, as we have said, the district next this river was chiefly inhabited by Kelts. The principal nations of these Kelts were the Boii, the Insubri, and the Senones and Gaesatae, who in one of their incursions took possession of Rome. The Romans afterwards entirely extirpated these latter, and expelled the Boii from their country, who then migrated to the land about the Danube, where they dwelt with the Taurisci, and warred against the Dacians until the whole nation was destroyed; and they left to the surrounding tribes this sheep-pasturing district of Illyria. The Insubri still exist; their metropolis is Mediolanum,¹⁹ which formerly was a village, (for they all dwelt in villages,) but is now a considerable city, beyond the Po, and almost touching the Alps. Near to it is Verona, a large city, and the smaller towns Brescia, Mantua, Reggio, and Como. This latter was but a very indifferent colony, having been seriously impaired by the Rhaeti who dwelt higher up, but it was repeopled by Pompey Strabo, father of Pompey the Great. Afterwards Caius Scipio²⁰ transferred thither 3000 men, and finally divus Caesar peopled it with 5000 men, the most distinguished of whom were 500 Greeks. He conferred on these the privileges of citizens, and enrolled them amongst the inhabitants. They not only took up their abode here, but left their name to the colony itself; for all the inhabitants taking the name of νεοκωμῖται, this was translated [into Latin], and the place called Novum-Comum. Near to this place is Lake Larius,²¹ which is filled by the river Adda, and afterwards flows out into the Po. The sources of this river, as well as those of the Rhine, rise in Mount Adulas.²²

[7] These cities are situated high above the marshes; near to them is Patavium,²³ the finest of all the cities in this district, and which at the time of the late census²⁴ was said to contain 500 equites. Anciently it could muster an army of 120,000 men. The population and skill of this city is evinced by the vast amount of manufactured goods it sends to the Roman market, especially clothing of all kinds. It communicates with the sea by a river navigable from a large harbour [at its mouth], the river runs across the marshes for a distance of 250 stadia. This harbour,²⁵ as well as the river,²⁶ is named Medoacus. Situated in the marshes is the great [city of] Ravenna, built entirely on piles,²⁷ and traversed by canals, which you cross by bridges or ferry-boats. At the full tides it is washed by a considerable quantity of sea-water, as well as by the river, and thus the sewage is carried off, and the air purified; in fact, the district is considered so salubrious that the [Roman] governors have selected it as a spot to bring up and exercise the gladiators in. It is a remarkable peculiarity of this place, that, though situated in the midst of a marsh, the air is perfectly innocuous; the same is the case with respect to Alexandria in Egypt, where the malignity of the lake during summer is entirely removed by the rising of the river which covers over the mud. Another remarkable peculiarity is that of its vines, which, though growing in the marshes, make very quickly and yield a large amount of fruit, but perish in four or five years. Altinum²⁸ stands likewise in the marshes, its situation being very similar to that of Ravenna. Between them is Butrium,²⁹ a small city of Ravenna, and Spina,³⁰ which is now a village, but was anciently a celebrated Grecian city. In fact, the treasures of the Spinitae are shown at Delphi, and it is, besides, reported in history that they had dominion over the sea. They say that it formerly stood on the sea; now, however, the district is inland about 90 stadia from the sea. Ravenna is reported to have been founded by Thessalians, who not being able to sustain the violence of the Tyrrheni, welcomed into their city some of the Ombrici, who still possess it, while they themselves returned home. These cities for the most part are surrounded, and, as it were, washed by the marshes.

[8] Opitergium,³¹ Concordia, Atria,³² Vicetia,³³ as well as some smaller cities, are less annoyed by the marshes: they communicate by small navigable canals with the sea. They say that Atria was formerly a famous city, from which the Adriatic Gulf, with a slight variation, received its name. Aquileia, which is the nearest to the head [of the gulf], was founded by the Romans,³⁴ to keep in check the barbarians dwelling higher up. You may navigate transport ships to it up the river Natisone for more than sixty stadia. This is the trading city with the nations of Illyrians who dwell round the Danube. Some deal in marine merchandise, and carry in waggons wine in wooden casks and oil, and others exchange slaves, cattle, and hides. Aquileia is without the limits of the Heneti, their country being bounded by a river which flows from the mountains of the Alps, and is navigable for a distance of 1200 stadia, as far as the city of Noreia,³⁵ near to where Cnaeus Carbo was defeated in his attack upon the Kimbrians.³⁶ This place contains fine stations for gold washing and iron-works. At the very head of the Adriatic is the Timavum,³⁷ a temple consecrated to Diomede, worthy of notice. For it contains a harbour and a fine grove, with seven springs of fresh water, which fall into the sea in a broad, deep river.³⁸ Polybius, however, says that, with the exception of one, they are all salt springs, and that it is on this account the place is called by the inhabitants— the source and mother of the sea. Posidonius, on the other hand, tells us that the river Timavo, after flowing from the mountains, precipitates itself into a chasm, and after flowing under ground about 130 stadia, discharges itself into the sea.

[9] That Diomedes did hold sovereignty over the country around this sea,³⁹ is proved both by the Diomedean islands,⁴⁰ and the traditions concerning the Daunii and Argos-Hippium.⁴¹ Of these we shall narrate as much as may be serviceable to history, and shall leave alone the numerous falsehoods and myths; such, for instance, as those concerning Phaethon and the Heliades⁴² changed into alders near the [river] Eridanus, which exists no where, although said to be near the Po;⁴³ of the islands Electrides, opposite the mouths of the Po, and the Meleagrides,⁴⁴ found in them; none of which things exist in these localities.⁴⁵ However, some have narrated that honours are paid to Diomedes amongst the Heneti, and that they sacrifice to him a white horse; two groves are likewise pointed out, one [sacred] to the Argian Juno, and the other to the Aetolian Diana. They have too, as we might expect, fictions concerning these groves; for instance, that the wild beasts in them grow tame, that the deer herd with wolves, and they suffer men to approach and stroke them; and that when pursued by dogs, as soon as they have reached these groves, the dogs no longer pursue them. They say, too, that a certain person, well known for the facility with which he offered himself as a pledge for others, being bantered on this subject by some hunters who came up with him having a wolf in leash, they said in jest, that if he would become pledge for the wolf and pay for the damage he might do, they would loose the bonds. To this the man consented, and they let loose the wolf, who gave chase to a herd of horses unbranded, and drove them into the stable of the person who had become pledge for him. The man accepted the gift, branded the horses with [the representation of] a wolf, and named them Lucophori. They were distinguished rather for their swiftness than gracefulness. His heirs kept the same brand and the same name for this race of horses, and made it a rule never to part with a single mare, in order that they might remain sole possessors of the race, which became famous. At the present day, however, as we have before remarked, this [rage for] horse-breeding has entirely ceased.

After the Timavum⁴⁶ comes the sea-coast of Istria as far as Pola, which appertains to Italy. Between [the two] is the fortress of Tergeste, distant from Aquileia 180 stadia. Pola is situated in a gulf forming a kind of port, and containing some small islands,⁴⁷ fruitful, and with good harbours. This city was anciently founded by the Colchians sent after Medea, who not being able to fulfil their mission, condemned themselves to exile. As Callimachus says,

It a Greek would call

The town of Fugitives, but in their tongue

’Tis Pola named.

The different parts of Transpadana are inhabited by the Heneti and the Istrii as far as Pola; above the Heneti, by the Carni, the Cenomani, the Medoaci, and the Symbri.⁴⁸ These nations were formerly at enmity with the Romans, but the Cenomani and Heneti allied themselves with that nation, both prior to the expedition of Hannibal, when they waged war with the Boii and Symbrii,⁴⁹ and also after that time.

[10] Cispadana comprehends all that country enclosed between the Apennines and the Alps as far as Genoa and the Vada-Sabbatorum.⁵⁰ The greater part was inhabited by the Boii, the Ligurians, the Senones, and Gaesatae; but after the depopulation of the Boii, and the destruction of the Gaesatae and Senones, the Ligurian tribes and the Roman colonies alone remained. The nation of the Ombrici⁵¹ and certain of the Tyrrheni are also mixed amongst the Romans. These two nations, before the aggrandizement of the Romans, had some disputes with each other concerning precedence. Having only the river Tiber between, it was easy to commence war upon each other; and if the one sent out an expedition against any nation, it was the ambition of the other to enter the same country with an equal force. Thus, the Tyrrheni, having organized a successful expedition against the barbarians [dwelling in the countries] about the Po, but having speedily lost again through their luxury [all they had acquired], the Ombrici made war upon those who had driven them out. Disputes arose between the Tyrrheni and Ombrici concerning the right of possessing these places, and both nations founded many colonies; those, however, of the Ombrici were most numerous, as they were nearest to the spot. When the Romans gained the dominion, they sent out colonies to different parts, but preserved those which had been formerly planted by their predecessors. And although now they are all Romans, they are not the less distinguished, some by the names of Ombri and Tyrrheni, others by those of Heneti, Ligurians, and Insubri.

[11] Both in Cispadana and around the Po there are some fine cities. Placentia⁵² and Cremona, situated about the middle of the country, are close to each other. Between these and Ariminum,⁵³ are Parma, Mutina,⁵⁴ and Bononia,⁵⁵ which is near to Ravenna; amongst these are smaller cities on the route to Rome, as Acara,⁵⁶ Rhegium-Lepidum,⁵⁷ Macri-Campi,⁵⁸ where a public festival is held every year, Claterna,⁵⁹ Forum-Cornelium;⁶⁰ while Faventia⁶¹ and Caesena, situated near to the river Savio⁶² and the Rubicon,⁶³ are adjacent to Ariminum. Ariminum, like Ravenna, is an ancient colony of the Ombri. but both of them have received also Roman colonies. Anminum has a port and a river⁶⁴ of the same name as itself. From Placentia to Ariminum there are 1300 stadia. About 36 miles above Placentia, towards the boundaries of the kingdom of Cottius, is the city of Ticinum,⁶⁵ by which flows a river⁶⁶ bearing the same name, which falls into the Po, while a little out of the route are Clastidium,⁶⁷ Derthon,⁶⁸ and Aquae-Statiellae.⁶⁹ But the direct route as far as Ocelum,⁷⁰ along the Po and the Doria Riparia,⁷¹ is full of precipices, intersected by numerous other rivers, one of which is the Durance,⁷² and is about 160 miles long. Here commence the Alpine mountains and Keltica.⁷³ Near to the mountains above Luna is the city of Lucca. Some [of the people of this part of Italy] dwell in villages, nevertheless it is well populated, and furnishes the greater part of the military force, and of equites, of whom the senate is partly composed. Derthon is a considerable city, situated about half way on the road from Genoa to Placentia, which are distant 400 stadia from each other. Aquae-Statiellae is on the same route. That from Placentia to Ariminum we have already described, but the sail to Ravenna down the Po requires two days and nights. A⁷⁴ great part of Cispadana likewise was covered by marshes, through which Hannibal passed with difficulty on his march into Tyrrhenia.⁷⁵ But Scaurus drained the plains by navigable canals from the Po⁷⁶ to the country of the Parmesans. For the Trebia meeting the Po near Placentia, and having previously received many other rivers, is over-swollen near this place. I allude to the Scaurus⁷⁷ who also made the Aemilian road through Pisa and Luna as far as Sabbatorum, and thence through Derthon. There is another Aemilian road, which continues the Flaminian. For Marcus Lepidus and Caius Flaminius being colleagues in the consulship, and having vanquished the Ligurians, the one made the Via Flaminia from Rome across Tyrrhenia and Ombrica as far as the territory of Ariminum,⁷⁸ the other, the road as far as Bononia,⁷⁹ and thence to Aquileia⁸⁰ by the roots of the Alps, and encircling the marshes. The boundaries which separate from the rest of Italy this country, which we designate Citerior Keltica,⁸¹ were marked by the Apennine mountains above Tyrrhenia and the river Esino,⁸² and afterwards by the Rubicon.⁸³ Both these rivers fall into the Adriatic.

[12] The fertility of this country is proved by its population, the size of its cities, and its wealth, in all of which the Romans of this country surpass the rest of Italy. The cultivated land produces fruits in abundance and of every kind, and the woods contain such abundance of mast, that Rome is principally supplied from the swine fed there. Being well supplied with water, millet grows there in perfection. This affords the greatest security against famine, inasmuch as millet resists any inclemency of the atmosphere, and never fails, even when there is scarcity of other kinds of grain. Their pitch-works are amazing, and their casks give evidence of the abundance of wine: these are made of wood, and are larger than houses, and the great supply of pitch allows them to be sold cheap. The soft wool and by far the best is produced in the country round Mutina⁸⁴ and the river Panaro;⁸⁵ while the coarse wool, which forms the main article of clothing amongst the slaves in Italy, is produced in Liguria and the country of the Symbri. There is a middling kind grown about Patavium,⁸⁶ of which the finer carpets, gausapi,⁸⁷ and every thing else of the same sort, whether with the wool on one or on both sides, are made. The mines are not worked now so diligently, because not equally profitable with those of Transalpine Keltica and Iberia; but formerly they must have been, since there were gold-diggings even in Vercelli, near to Ictimuli,⁸⁸ both which villages are near to Placentia.⁸⁹ Here we finish our description of the first part of Italy, and pass on to the second.

Geography. Strabo. Hans Claude Hamilton (Translator), William Falconer (Translator). London. 1854-1857.

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Current edition Perseus

Geography (English) (Strabo. The Geography of Strabo, Vols. 1-3. Hamilton, Hans Claude, translator; Falconer, William, translator. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1854-1857.)

Editions (1)

Γεωγραφικά Perseus (Strabo. Strabonis Geographica, Vols. 1-3. Meineke, August, editor. Leipzig: Teubner. 1877.) — 5.1 focus

[1] μετὰ δὲ τὴν ὑπώρειαν τῶν Ἄλπεων ἀρχὴ τῆς νῦν Ἰταλίας. οἱ γὰρ παλαιοὶ τὴν Οἰνωτρίαν ἐκάλουν Ἰταλίαν ἀπὸ τοῦ Σικελικοῦ πορθμοῦ μέχρι τοῦ Ταραντίνου κόλπου καὶ τοῦ Ποσειδωνιάτου διήκουσαν, ἐπικρατῆσαν δὲ τοὔνομα καὶ μέχρι τῆς ὑπωρείας τῶν Ἄλπεων προὔβη. προσέλαβε δὲ καὶ τῆς Λιγυστικῆς τὰ μέχρι Ὀυάρου ποταμοῦ καὶ τῆς ταύτῃ θαλάττης ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων τῶν Τυρρηνικῶν καὶ τῆς Ἰστρίας μέχρι Πόλας. εἰκάσαι δʼ ἄν τις εὐτυχήσαντας τοὺς πρώτους ὀνομασθέντας Ἰταλοὺς μεταδοῦναι καὶ τοῖς πλησιοχώροις, εἶθʼ οὕτως ἐπίδοσιν λαβεῖν μέχρι τῆς Ῥωμαίων ἐπικρατείας. ὀψὲ δέ ποτε, ἀφʼ οὗ μετέδοσαν Ῥωμαῖοι τοῖς Ἰταλιώταις τὴν ἰσοπολιτείαν, ἔδοξε καὶ τοῖς ἐντὸς Ἄλπεων Γαλάταις καὶ Ἑνετοῖς τὴν αὐτὴν ἀπονεῖμαι τιμήν, προσαγορεῦσαι δὲ καὶ Ἰταλιώτας πάντας καὶ Ῥωμαίους, ἀποικίας τε πολλὰς στεῖλαι, τὰς μὲν πρότερον τὰς δʼ ὕστερον, ὧν οὐ ῥᾴδιον εἰπεῖν ἀμείνους ἑτέρας.

[2] ̔ενὶ μὲν οὖν σχήματι σύμπασαν τὴν νῦν Ἰταλίαν οὐ ῥᾴδιον περιλαβεῖν γεωμετρικῶς, καίτοι φασὶν ἄκραν εἶναι τρίγωνον ἐκκειμένην πρὸς νότον καὶ χειμερινὰς ἀνατολάς, κορυφουμένην δὲ πρὸς τῷ Σικελικῷ πορθμῷ, βάσιν δʼ ἔχουσαν τὰς Ἄλπεις· συγχωρῆσαι μὲν οὖν δεῖ τὴν βάσιν, συγχωρῆσαι δὲ καὶ τῶν πλευρῶν μίαν τὴν ἐπὶ τὸν πορθμὸν τελευτῶσαν, κλυζομένην δὲ ὑπὸ τοῦ Τυρρηνικοῦ πελάγους. τρίγωνον δὲ ἰδίως τὸ εὐθύγραμμον καλεῖται σχῆμα· ἐνταῦθα δὲ καὶ ἡ βάσις καὶ ἡ πλευρὰ περιφερεῖς εἰσιν, ὥστε, εἴ φημι δεῖν συγχωρεῖν, περιφερογράμμου σχήματος θετέον καὶ τὴν βάσιν καὶ τὴν πλευράν, συγχωρητέον δὲ καὶ τὴν λόξωσιν ταύτης τῆς πλευρᾶς τὴν ἐπὶ τὰς ἀνατολάς, τἆλλα δʼ οὐχ ἱκανῶς εἰρήκασιν, ὑποθέμενοι μίαν πλευρὰν ἀπὸ τοῦ μυχοῦ τοῦ Ἀδρίου μέχρι τοῦ πορθμοῦ. πλευρὰν γὰρ λέγομεν τὴν ἀγώνιον γραμμήν, ἀγώνιος δʼ ἐστὶν ὅταν ἢ μὴ συννεύῃ πρὸς ἄλληλα τὰ μέρη ἢ μὴ ἐπὶ πολύ. ἡ δὲ ἀπὸ Ἀριμίνου ἐπὶ τὴν ἄκραν τὴν Ἰαπυγίαν καὶ ἡ ἀπὸ τοῦ πορθμοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν αὐτὴν ἄκραν πάμπολύ τι συννεύουσιν. ὁμοίως δʼ ἔχειν οἴομαι καὶ τὴν ἀπὸ τοῦ μυχοῦ τοῦ Ἀδρίου καὶ τὴν ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰαπυγίας· συμπίπτουσαι γὰρ ἐπὶ τοὺς περὶ Ἀρίμινον καὶ Ῥάουενναν τόπους γωνίαν ποιοῦσιν, εἰ δὲ μὴ γωνίαν, περιφέρειάν γε ἀξιόλογον· ὥστʼ, εἰ ἄρα, τοῦτʼ ἂν εἴη μία πλευρὰ ὁ παράπλους ὁ ἀπὸ τοῦ μυχοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν Ἰαπυγίαν, οὐκ εὐθεῖα· τὸ δὲ λοιπὸν τὸ ἐνθένδε ἐπὶ τὸν πορθμὸν ἄλλην ἂν ὑπογράφοι πλευράν, οὐδὲ ταύτην εὐθεῖαν. οὕτω δὲ τετράπλευρον μᾶλλον ἢ τρίπλευρον φαίη τις ἂν τὸ σχῆμα, τρίγωνον δʼ οὐδοπωσοῦν, πλὴν εἰ καταχρώμενος. βέλτιον δʼ ὁμολογεῖν, ὅτι τῶν ἀγεωμετρήτων σχημάτων οὐκ εὐπερίγραφος ἡ ἀπόδοσις.

[3] κατὰ μέρος δʼ οὕτως εἰπεῖν δυνατόν, ὅτι τῶν μὲν Ἄλπεων περιφερὴς ἡ ὑπώρειά ἐστι καὶ κολπώδης, τὰ κοῖλα ἔχουσα ἐστραμμένα πρὸς τὴν Ἰταλίαν· τοῦ δὲ κόλπου τὰ μὲν μέσα πρὸς τοῖς Σαλασσοῖς ἐστί, τὰ δʼ ἄκρα ἐπιστροφὴν λαμβάνει, τὰ μὲν μέχρι τῆς Ὄκρας καὶ τοῦ μυχοῦ τοῦ κατὰ τὸν Ἀδρίαν, τὰ δʼ εἰς τὴν Λιγυστικὴν παραλίαν μέχρι Γενούας τοῦ τῶν Λιγύων ἐμπορίου, ὅπου τὰ Ἀπέννινα ὄρη συνάπτει ταῖς Ἄλπεσιν. ὑπόκειται δʼ εὐθὺς πεδίον ἀξιόλογον, πάρισόν πως ἔχον τὸ πλάτος καὶ τὸ μῆκος, σταδίων ἑκατὸν καὶ δισχιλίων· τὸ δὲ μεσημβρινὸν αὐτοῦ πλευρὸν κλείεται τῇ τε τῶν Ἑνετῶν παραλίᾳ καὶ τοῖς Ἀπεννίνοις ὄρεσι τοῖς περὶ Ἀρίμινον καὶ Ἀγκῶνα καθήκουσι. ταῦτα γὰρ ἀρξάμενα ἀπὸ τῆς Λιγυστικῆς εἰς τὴν Τυρρηνίαν ἐμβάλλει, στενὴν παραλίαν ἀπολείποντα· εἶτʼ ἀναχωροῦντα εἰς τὴν μεσόγαιαν κατʼ ὀλίγον, ἐπειδὰν γένηται κατὰ τὴν Πισᾶτιν, ἐπιστρέφει πρὸς ἕω καὶ πρὸς τὸν Ἀδρίαν ἕως τῶν περὶ Ἀρίμινον καὶ Ἀγκῶνα τόπων, συνάπτοντα ἐπʼ εὐθείας τῇ τῶν Ἑνετῶν παραλίᾳ. ἡ μὲν οὖν ἐντὸς Ἄλπεων Κελτικὴ τούτοις κλείεται τοῖς ὅροις, καὶ ἔστι τῆς μὲν παραλίας τὸ μῆκος ὅσον τριακοσίων σταδίων ἐπὶ τοῖς ἑξακισχιλίοις μετὰ τῶν ὀρῶν, μικρὸν δʼ ἔλαττον τὸ πλάτος τῶν διςχιλίων. ἡ λοιπὴ δʼ Ἰταλία στενὴ καὶ παραμήκης ἐστί, κορυφουμένη διχῶς, τῇ μὲν πρὸς τὸν Σικελικὸν πορθμὸν τῇ δὲ πρὸς τὴν Ἰαπυγίαν, σφιγγομένη δʼ ἑκατέρωθεν, τῇ μὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἀδρίου τῇ δʼ ὑπὸ τοῦ Τυρρηνικοῦ πελάγους. ἔστι δʼ ὅμοιον τὸ σχῆμα τοῦ Ἀδρίου καὶ τὸ μέγεθος τῇ Ἰταλίᾳ τῇ ἀφοριζομένῃ τοῖς τε Ἀπεννίνοις ὄρεσι καὶ τῇ θαλάττῃ ἑκατέρᾳ μέχρι τῆς Ἰαπυγίας καὶ τοῦ ἰσθμοῦ τοῦ κατὰ τὸν Ταραντῖνον καὶ τὸν Ποσειδωνιάτην κόλπον· τό τε γὰρ πλάτος τὸ μέγιστον ἀμφοῖν ἐστὶ περὶ χιλίους καὶ τριακοσίους σταδίους, τὸ δὲ μῆκος ἔλαττον οὐ πολὺ τῶν ἑξακισχιλίων. ἡ λοιπὴ δʼ ἐστὶν ὅσην κατέχουσι Βρέττιοι καὶ Λευκανῶν τινές. φησὶ δὲ Πολύβιος πεζῇ μὲν εἶναι τὴν παραλίαν τὴν ἀπὸ Ἰαπυγίας μέχρι πορθμοῦ καὶ τρισχιλίων σταδίων, κλύζεσθαι δʼ αὐτὴν τῷ Σικελικῷ πελάγει, πλέοντι δὲ καὶ πεντακοσίων δέουσαν. τὰ δὲ Ἀπέννινα ὄρη συνάψαντα τοῖς περὶ Ἀρίμινον καὶ Ἀγκῶνα τόποις καὶ ἀφορίσαντα τὸ ταύτῃ πλάτος τῆς Ἰταλίας ἀπὸ θαλάττης ἐπὶ θάλατταν ἐπιστροφὴν λαμβάνει πάλιν, καὶ τέμνει τὴν χώραν ὅλην ἐπὶ μῆκος. μέχρι μὲν δὴ Πευκετίων καὶ Λευκανῶν οὐ πολὺ ἀφίσταται τοῦ Ἀδρίου· συνάψαντα δὲ Λευκανοῖς ἐπὶ τὴν ἑτέραν θάλατταν ἀποκλίνει μᾶλλον καὶ λοιπὸν διὰ μέσων τῶν Λευκανῶν καὶ Βρεττίων διεξιόντα τελευτᾷ πρὸς τὴν Λευκόπετραν τῆς Ῥηγίνης καλουμένην. τυπωδῶς μὲν οὖν εἴρηται περὶ τῆς νῦν Ἰταλίας ἁπάσης ταῦτα· πειρασόμεθα δὲ ἀναλαβόντες εἰπεῖν περὶ τῶν καθʼ ἕκαστα, καὶ πρῶτον περὶ τῶν ὑπὸ ταῖς Ἄλπεσιν.

[4] ἔστι δὲ πεδίον σφόδρα εὔδαιμον καὶ γεωλοφίαις εὐκάρποις πεποικιλμένον. διαιρεῖ δʼ αὐτὸ μέσον πως ὁ Πάδος, καὶ καλεῖται τὸ μὲν ἐντὸς τοῦ Πάδου τὸ δὲ πέραν· ἐντὸς μὲν ὅσον ἐστὶ πρὸς τοῖς Ἀπεννίνοις ὄρεσι καὶ τῇ Λιγυστικῇ, πέραν δὲ τὸ λοιπόν. οἰκεῖται δὲ τὸ μὲν ὑπὸ τῶν Λιγυστικῶν ἐθνῶν καὶ τῶν Κελτικῶν, τῶν μὲν ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσιν οἰκούντων τῶν δʼ ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις, τὸ δʼ ὑπὸ τῶν Κελτῶν καὶ Ἑνετῶν. οἱ μὲν οὖν Κελτοὶ τοῖς ὑπεραλπείοις ὁμοεθνεῖς εἰσι, περὶ δὲ τῶν Ἑνετῶν διττός ἐστι λόγος. οἱ μὲν γὰρ καὶ αὐτούς φασιν εἶναι Κελτῶν ἀποίκους τῶν ὁμωνύμων παρωκεανιτῶν, οἱ δʼ ἐκ τοῦ Τρωικοῦ πολέμου μετʼ Ἀντήνορος σωθῆναι δεῦρό φασι τῶν ἐκ τῆς Παφλαγονίας Ἑνετῶν τινάς· μαρτύριον δὲ τούτου προφέρονται τὴν περὶ τὰς ἱπποτροφίας ἐπιμέλειαν, ἣ νῦν μὲν τελέως ἐκλέλοιπε, πρότερον δʼ ἐτιμᾶτο παρʼ αὐτοῖς ἀπὸ τοῦ παλαιοῦ ζήλου τοῦ κατὰ τὰς ἡμιονίτιδας ἵππους. τούτου δὲ καὶ Ὅμηρος μέμνηται ἐξ Ἑνετῶν, ὅθεν ἡμιόνων γένος ἀγροτεράων. καὶ Διονύσιος ὁ τῆς Σικελίας τύραννος ἐντεῦθεν τὸ ἱπποτροφεῖον συνεστήσατο τῶν ἀθλητῶν ἵππων, ὥστε καὶ ὄνομα ἐν τοῖς Ἕλλησι γενέσθαι τῆς Ἑνετικῆς πωλείας καὶ πολὺν χρόνον εὐδοκιμῆσαι τὸ γένος.

[5] ̔́απασα μὲν οὖν ἡ χώρα ποταμοῖς πληθύει καὶ ἕλεσι, μάλιστα δʼ ἡ τῶν Ἑνετῶν· πρόσεστι δὲ ταύτῃ καὶ τὰ τῆς θαλάττης πάθη. μόνα γὰρ ταῦτα τὰ μέρη σχεδόν τι τῆς καθʼ ἡμᾶς θαλάττης ὁμοιοπαθεῖ τῷ ὠκεανῷ καὶ παραπλησίως ἐκείνῳ ποιεῖται τάς τε ἀμπώτεις καὶ τὰς πλημμυρίδας, ὑφʼ ὧν τὸ πλέον τοῦ πεδίου λιμνοθαλάττης γίνεται μεστόν. διώρυξι δὲ καὶ παραχώμασι, καθάπερ ἡ κάτω λεγομένη χώρα τῆς Αἰγύπτου, διωχέτευται, καὶ τὰ μὲν ἀνέψυκται καὶ γεωργεῖται τὰ δὲ διάπλους ἔχει· τῶν δὲ πόλεων αἱ μὲν νησίζουσιν αἱ δʼ ἐκ μέρους κλύζονται, ὅσαι δὲ ὑπὲρ τῶν ἑλῶν ἐν τῇ μεσογαίᾳ κεῖνται τοὺς ἐκ τῶν ποταμῶν ἀνάπλους θαυμαστοὺς ἔχουσι, μάλιστα δʼ ὁ Πάδος· μέγιστός τε γάρ ἐστι καὶ πληροῦται πολλάκις ἔκ τε ὄμβρων καὶ χιόνων, διαχεόμενος δʼ εἰς πολλὰ μέρη κατὰ τὰς ἐκβολὰς τυφλὸν τὸ στόμα ποιεῖ καὶ δυσείσβολός ἐστιν· ἡ δʼ ἐμπειρία περιγίνεται καὶ τῶν χαλεπωτάτων.

[6] τὸ μὲν οὖν ἀρχαῖον, ὥσπερ ἔφην, ὑπὸ Κελτῶν περιῳκεῖτο τῶν πλείστων ὁ ποταμός. μέγιστα δʼ ἦν τῶν Κελτῶν ἔθνη Βόιοι καὶ Ἴνσουβροι καὶ οἱ τὴν Ῥωμαίων ποτὲ ἐξ ἐφόδου καταλαβόντες Σένονες μετὰ Γαισατῶν. τούτους μὲν οὖν ἐξέφθειραν ὕστερον τελέως Ῥωμαῖοι, τοὺς δὲ Βοΐους ἐξήλασαν ἐκ τῶν τόπων. μεταστάντες δʼ εἰς τοὺς περὶ τὸν Ἴστρον τόπους μετὰ Ταυρίσκων ᾤκουν πολεμοῦντες πρὸς Δακούς, ἕως ἀπώλοντο πανεθνεί· τὴν δὲ χώραν οὖσαν τῆς Ἰλλυρίδος μηλόβοτον τοῖς περιοικοῦσι κατέλιπον. Ἴνσουβροι δὲ καὶ νῦν εἰσί. Μεδιολάνιον δʼ ἔσχον μητρόπολιν, πάλαι μὲν κώμην (ἅπαντες γὰρ ᾤκουν κωμηδόν), νῦν δʼ ἀξιόλογον πόλιν, πέραν τοῦ Πάδου, συνάπτουσάν πως ταῖς Ἄλπεσι. πλησίον δὲ καὶ Ὀυήρων, καὶ αὕτη πόλις μεγάλη. ἐλάττους δὲ τούτων Βριξία καὶ Μάντουα καὶ Ῥήγιον καὶ Κῶμον· αὕτη δʼ ἦν μὲν κατοικία μετρία, Πομπήιος δὲ Στράβων ὁ Μάγνου πατὴρ κακωθεῖσαν ὑπὸ τῶν ὑπερκειμένων Ῥαιτῶν συνῴκισεν· εἶτα Γάιος Σκιπίων τρισχιλίους προσέθηκεν· εἶτα ὁ θεὸς Καῖσαρ πεντακισχιλίους ἐπισυνῴκισεν, ὧν οἱ πεντακόσιοι τῶν Ἑλλήνων ὑπῆρξαν οἱ ἐπιφανέστατοι· τούτοις δὲ καὶ πολιτείαν ἔδωκε καὶ ἐνέγραψεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τοὺς συνοίκους· οὐ μέν τοι ᾤκησαν αὐτόθι, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοὔνομά γε τῷ κτίσματι ἐκεῖνοι κατέλιπον· Νεοκωμῖται γὰρ ἐκλήθησαν ἅπαντες, τοῦτο δὲ μεθερμηνευθὲν Νοβουμκῶμουμ λέγεται. ἐγγὺς δὲ τοῦ χωρίου τούτου λίμνη Λάριος καλουμένη· πληροῖ δʼ αὐτὴν ὁ Ἀδούας ποταμός· εἶτʼ ἐξίησιν εἰς τὸν Πάδον· τὰς δὲ πηγὰς ἔσχηκεν ἐν τῷ Ἀδούλᾳ ὄρει, ὅπου καὶ ὁ Ῥῆνος.

[7] αὗται μὲν οὖν πολὺ ὑπὲρ τῶν ἑλῶν ᾤκηνται, πλησίον δὲ τὸ Πατάουιον, πασῶν ἀρίστη τῶν ταύτῃ πόλεων, ἥ γε νεωστὶ λέγεται τιμήσασθαι πεντακοσίους ἱππικοὺς ἄνδρας, καὶ τὸ παλαιὸν δὲ ἔστελλε δώδεκα μυριάδας στρατιᾶς. δηλοῖ δὲ καὶ τὸ πλῆθος τῆς πεμπομένης κατασκευῆς εἰς τὴν Ῥώμην κατʼ ἐμπορίαν τῶν τε ἄλλων καὶ ἐσθῆτος παντοδαπῆς τὴν εὐανδρίαν τῆς πόλεως καὶ τὴν εὐτεχνίαν. ἔχει δὲ θαλάττης ἀνάπλουν ποταμῷ διὰ τῶν ἑλῶν φερομένῳ σταδίων πεντήκοντα καὶ διακοσίων ἐκ λιμένος μεγάλου· καλεῖται δʼ ὁ λιμὴν Μεδόακος ὁμωνύμως τῷ ποταμῷ. ἐν δὲ τοῖς ἕλεσι μεγίστη μέν ἐστι Ῥάουεννα, ξυλοπαγὴς ὅλη καὶ διάρρυτος, γεφύραις καὶ πορθμείοις ὁδευομένη. δέχεται δʼ οὐ μικρὸν τῆς θαλάττης μέρος ἐν ταῖς πλημμυρίσιν, ὥστε καὶ ὑπὸ τούτων καὶ ὑπὸ ποταμῶν ἐκκλυζόμενον τὸ βορβορῶδες πᾶν ἰᾶται τὴν δυσαερίαν. οὕτως γοῦν ὑγιεινὸν ἐξήτασται τὸ χωρίον ὥστε ἐνταῦθα τοὺς μονομάχους τρέφειν καὶ γυμνάζειν ἀπέδειξαν οἱ ἡγεμόνες. ἔστι μὲν οὖν καὶ τοῦτο θαυμαστὸν τῶν ἐνθάδε τὸ ἐν ἕλει τοὺς ἀέρας ἀβλαβεῖς εἶναι, καθάπερ καὶ ἐν Ἀλεξανδρείᾳ τῇ πρὸς Αἰγύπτῳ τοῦ θέρους ἡ λίμνη τὴν μοχθηρίαν ἀποβάλλει διὰ τὴν ἀνάβασιν τοῦ ποταμοῦ καὶ τὸν τῶν τελμάτων ἀφανισμόν. ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ περὶ τὴν ἄμπελον πάθος θαυμάζειν ἄξιον· φύει μὲν γὰρ αὐτὴν τὰ ἕλη καὶ ποιεῖ ταχὺ καὶ πολὺν ἀποδιδοῦσαν καρπόν, φθείρεται δὲ ἐν ἔτεσι τέτταρσιν ἢ πέντε. ἔστι δὲ καὶ τὸ Ἀλτῖνον ἐν ἕλει, παραπλήσιον ἔχον τῇ Ῥαουέννῃ τὴν θέσιν. μεταξὺ δὲ Βούτριον τῆς Ῥαουέννης πόλισμα καὶ ἡ Σπῖνα, νῦν μὲν κωμίον πάλαι δὲ Ἑλληνὶς πόλις ἔνδοξος. θησαυρὸς γοῦν ἐν Δελφοῖς Σπινητῶν δείκνυται, καὶ τἆλλα ἱστορεῖται περὶ αὐτῶν ὡς θαλασσοκρατησάντων. φασὶ δὲ καὶ ἐπὶ θαλάττῃ ὑπάρξαι, νῦν δʼ ἐστὶν ἐν μεσογαίᾳ τὸ χωρίον περὶ ἐνενήκοντα τῆς θαλάττης σταδίους ἀπέχον. καὶ ἡ Ῥάουεννα δὲ Θετταλῶν εἴρηται κτίσμα· οὐ φέροντες δὲ τὰς τῶν Τυρρηνῶν ὕβρεις ἐδέξαντο ἑκόντες τῶν Ὀμβρικῶν τινάς, οἳ καὶ νῦν ἔχουσι τὴν πόλιν, αὐτοὶ δʼ ἀπεχώρησαν ἐπʼ οἴκου. αὗται μὲν οὖν ἐπὶ πλέον περιέχονται τοῖς ἕλεσιν ὥστε καὶ κλύζεσθαι.

[8] ὀπιτέργιον δὲ καὶ Κωνκορδία καὶ Ἀτρία καὶ Ὀυικετία καὶ ἄλλα τοιαῦτα πολισμάτια ἧττον μὲν ὑπὸ τῶν ἑλῶν ἐνοχλεῖται, μικροῖς δʼ ἀνάπλοις πρὸς τὴν θάλατταν συνῆπται. τὴν δʼ Ἀτρίαν ἐπιφανῆ γενέσθαι πόλιν φασίν, ἀφʼ ἧς καὶ τοὔνομα τῷ κόλπῳ γενέσθαι τῷ Ἀδρίᾳ μικρὰν μετάθεσιν λαβόν. Ἀκυληία δʼ, ἥπερ μάλιστα τῷ μυχῷ πλησιάζει, κτίσμα μέν ἐστι Ῥωμαίων ἐπιτειχισθὲν τοῖς ὑπερκειμένοις βαρβάροις, ἀναπλεῖται δὲ ὁλκάσι κατὰ τὸν Νατίσωνα ποταμὸν ἐπὶ πλείστους ἑξήκοντα σταδίους. ἀνεῖται δʼ ἐμπόριον τοῖς τε Ἑνετοῖς καὶ τοῖς περὶ τὸν Ἴστρον τῶν Ἰλλυριῶν ἔθνεσι· κομίζουσι δʼ οὗτοι μὲν τὰ ἐκ θαλάττης, καὶ οἶνον ἐπὶ ξυλίνων πίθων ἁρμαμάξαις ἀναθέντες καὶ ἔλαιον, ἐκεῖνοι δʼ ἀνδράποδα καὶ βοσκήματα καὶ δέρματα. ἔξω δʼ ἐστὶ τῶν Ἑνετικῶν ὅρων ἡ Ἀκυληία. διορίζονται δὲ ποταμῷ ῥέοντι ἀπὸ τῶν Ἀλπείων ὀρῶν, ἀνάπλουν ἔχοντι καὶ διακοσίων σταδίων ἐπὶ τοῖς χιλίοις εἰς Νωρηίαν πόλιν, περὶ ἣν Γναῖος Κάρβων συμβαλὼν Κίμβροις οὐδὲν ἔπραξεν. ἔχει δὲ ὁ τόπος οὗτος χρυσιοπλύσια εὐφυῆ καὶ σιδηρουργεῖα. ἐν αὐτῷ δὲ τῷ μυχῷ τοῦ Ἀδρίου καὶ ἱερὸν τοῦ Διομήδους ἐστὶν ἄξιον μνήμης, τὸ Τίμαυον· λιμένα γὰρ ἔχει καὶ ἄλσος ἐκπρεπὲς καὶ πηγὰς ἑπτὰ ποταμίου ὕδατος εὐθὺς εἰς τὴν θάλατταν ἐκπίπτοντος, πλατεῖ καὶ βαθεῖ ποταμῷ. Πολύβιος δʼ εἴρηκε πλὴν μιᾶς τὰς ἄλλας ἁλμυροῦ ὕδατος, καὶ δὴ καὶ τοὺς ἐπιχωρίους πηγὴν καὶ μητέρα τῆς θαλάττης ὀνομάζειν τὸν τόπον. Ποσειδώνιος δέ φησι ποταμὸν τὸν Τίμαυον ἐκ τῶν ὀρῶν φερόμενον καταπίπτειν εἰς βέρεθρον, εἶθʼ ὑπὸ γῆς ἐνεχθέντα περὶ ἑκατὸν καὶ τριάκοντα σταδίους ἐπὶ τῇ θαλάττῃ τὴν ἐκβολὴν ποιεῖσθαι.

[9] τῆς δὲ τοῦ Διομήδους δυναστείας περὶ τὴν θάλατταν ταύτην αἵ τε Διομήδειοι νῆσοι μαρτύρια καὶ τὰ περὶ Δαυνίους καὶ τὸ Ἄργος τὸ Ἵππιον ἱστορούμενα· περὶ ὧν ἐροῦμεν ἐφʼ ὅσον πρὸς ἱστορίαν χρήσιμον, τὰ δὲ πολλὰ τῶν μυθευομένων ἢ κατεψευσμένων ἄλλως ἐᾶν δεῖ, οἷον τὰ περὶ Φαέθοντα καὶ τὰς Ἡλιάδας τὰς ἀπαιγειρουμένας περὶ τὸν Ἠριδανόν, τὸν μηδαμοῦ γῆς ὄντα, πλησίον δὲ τοῦ Πάδου λεγόμενον, καὶ τὰς Ἠλεκτρίδας νήσους τὰς πρὸ τοῦ Πάδου καὶ μελεαγρίδας ἐν αὐταῖς· οὐδὲ γὰρ τούτων οὐδέν ἐστιν ἐν τοῖς τόποις. τῷ δὲ Διομήδει παρὰ τοῖς Ἑνετοῖς ἀποδεδειγμέναι τινὲς ἱστοροῦνται τιμαί· καὶ γὰρ θύεται λευκὸς ἵππος αὐτῷ, καὶ δύο ἄλση τὸ μὲν Ἥρας Ἀργείας δείκνυται τὸ δʼ Ἀρτέμιδος Αἰτωλίδος. προσμυθεύουσι δʼ, ὡς εἰκός, τὸ ἐν τοῖς ἄλσεσι τούτοις ἡμεροῦσθαι τὰ θηρία καὶ λύκοις ἐλάφους συναγελάζεσθαι, προσιόντων δὲ τῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ καταψώντων ἀνέχεσθαι, τὰ δὲ διωκόμενα ὑπὸ τῶν κυνῶν, ἐπειδὰν καταφύγῃ δεῦρο, μηκέτι διώκεσθαι. φασὶ δέ τινα τῶν πάνυ γνωριζόμενον ὡς εἴη φιλέγγυος καὶ σκωπτόμενον ἐπὶ τούτῳ περιτυχεῖν κυνηγέταις λύκον ἐν τοῖς δικτύοις ἔχουσιν· εἰπόντων δὲ κατὰ παιδιάν, εἰ ἐγγυᾶται τὸν λύκον ἐφʼ ᾧτε τὰς ζημίας ἃς εἴργασται διαλύσειν, ἀφήσειν αὐτὸν ἐκ τῶν λίνων, ὁμολογῆσαι. ἀφεθέντα δὲ τὸν λύκον ἵππων ἀγέλην ἀπελάσαντα ἀκαυτηριάστων ἱκανὴν προσαγαγεῖν πρὸς τὸν τοῦ φιλεγγύου σταθμόν· τὸν δʼ ἀπολαβόντα τὴν χάριν καυτηριάσαι τε τὰς ἵππους λύκον, καὶ κληθῆναι λυκοφόρους, τάχει μᾶλλον ἢ κάλλει διαφερούσας· τοὺς δʼ ἀπʼ ἐκείνου διαδεξαμένους τό τε καυτήριον φυλάξαι καὶ τοὔνομα τῷ γένει τῶν ἵππων, ἔθος δὲ ποιῆσαι θήλειαν μὴ ἐξαλλοτριοῦν, ἵνα μένοι παρὰ μόνοις τὸ γνήσιον γένος, ἐνδόξου γενομένης ἐνθένδε ἱππείας. νυνὶ δέ, ὥσπερ ἔφαμεν, πᾶσα ἐκλέλοιπεν ἡ τοιαύτη ἄσκησις. μετὰ δὲ τὸ Τίμαυον ἡ τῶν Ἰστρίων ἐστὶ παραλία μέχρι Πόλας, ἣ πρόσκειται τῇ Ἰταλίᾳ. μεταξὺ δὲ φρούριον Τεργέστε Ἀκυληίας διέχον ἑκατὸν καὶ ὀγδοήκοντα σταδίους· ἡ δὲ Πόλα ἵδρυται μὲν ἐν κόλπῳ λιμενοειδεῖ νησίδια ἔχοντι εὔορμα καὶ εὔκαρπα, κτίσμα δʼ ἐστὶν ἀρχαῖον Κόλχων τῶν ἐπὶ τὴν Μήδειαν ἐκπεμφθέντων, διαμαρτόντων δὲ τῆς πράξεως καὶ καταγνόντων ἑαυτῶν φυγήν τὸ μὲν φυγάδων κεν ἐνίσποι Γραικὸς ὡς Καλλίμαχος εἴρηκεν ἀτὰρ κείνων γλῶσσʼ ὀνόμηνε Πόλας. τὰ μὲν δὴ πέραν τοῦ Πάδου χωρία οἵ τε Ἑνετοὶ νέμονται καὶ οἱ Ἴστριοι μέχρι Πόλας. ὑπὲρ δὲ τῶν Ἑνετῶν Κάρνοι καὶ Κενόμανοι καὶ Μεδόακοι καὶ Ἴνσουβροι, ὧν οἱ μὲν πολέμιοι τοῖς Ῥωμαίοις ὑπῆρξαν, Κενόμανοι δὲ καὶ Ἑνετοὶ συνεμάχουν καὶ πρὸ τῆς Ἀννίβα στρατείας, ἡνίκα Βοΐους καὶ Ἰνσούβρους ἐπολέμουν, καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα.

[10] οἱ δʼ ἐντὸς τοῦ Πάδου κατέχουσι μὲν ἅπασαν ὅσην ἐγκυκλοῦται τὰ Ἀπέννινα ὄρη πρὸς τὰ Ἄλπεια μέχρι Γενούας καὶ τῶν Σαβάτων. κατεῖχον δὲ Βόιοι καὶ Λίγυες καὶ Σένονες καὶ Γαιζᾶται τὸ πλέον· τῶν δὲ Βοΐων ἐξελαθέντων, ἀφανισθέντων δὲ καὶ τῶν Γαιζατῶν καὶ Σενόνων, λείπεται τὰ Λιγυστικὰ φῦλα καὶ τῶν Ῥωμαίων αἱ ἀποικίαι. τοῖς δὲ Ῥωμαίοις ἀναμέμικται καὶ τὸ τῶν Ὀμβρικῶν φῦλον, ἔστι δʼ ὅπου καὶ Τυρρηνῶν. ταῦτα γὰρ ἄμφω τὰ ἔθνη πρὸ τῆς τῶν Ῥωμαίων ἐπὶ πλέον αὐξήσεως εἶχέ τινα πρὸς ἄλληλα περὶ πρωτείων ἅμιλλαν, καὶ μέσον ἔχοντα τὸν Τίβεριν ποταμὸν ῥᾳδίως ἐπιδιέβαινεν ἀλλήλοις. καὶ εἴ πού τινας ἐκστρατείας ἐποιοῦντο ἐπʼ ἄλλους οἱ ἕτεροι, καὶ τοῖς ἑτέροις ἔρις ἦν μὴ ἀπολείπεσθαι τῆς εἰς τοὺς αὐτοὺς τόπους ἐξόδου· καὶ δὴ καὶ τῶν Τυρρηνῶν στειλάντων στρατιὰν εἰς τοὺς περὶ τὸν Πάδον βαρβάρους καὶ πραξάντων εὖ, ταχὺ δὲ πάλιν ἐκπεσόντων διὰ τὴν τρυφήν, ἐπεστράτευσαν οἱ ἕτεροι τοῖς ἐκβαλοῦσιν· εἶτʼ ἐκ διαδοχῆς τῶν τόπων ἀμφισβητοῦντες πολλὰς τῶν κατοικιῶν τὰς μὲν Τυρρηνικὰς ἐποίησαν τὰς δʼ Ὀμβρικάς· πλείους δὲ τῶν Ὀμβρικῶν, οἳ ἐγγυτέρω ἦσαν οἱ δὲ Ῥωμαῖοι παραλαβόντες καὶ πέμψαντες ἐποίκους πολλαχοῦ συνεφύλαξαν καὶ τὰ τῶν προεποικησάντων γένη. καὶ νῦν Ῥωμαῖοι μέν εἰσιν ἅπαντες, οὐδὲν δʼ ἧττον Ὄμβροι τε τινὲς λέγονται καὶ Τυρρηνοί, καθάπερ Ἑνετοὶ καὶ Λίγυες καὶ Ἴνσουβροι.

[11] πόλεις δʼ εἰσὶν ἐντὸς τοῦ Πάδου καὶ περὶ τὸν Πάδον ἐπιφανεῖς Πλακεντία μὲν καὶ Κρεμώνη πλησιαίταται κατὰ μέσην που τὴν χώραν, μεταξὺ δὲ τούτων τε καὶ Ἀριμίνου Πάρμα καὶ Μουτίνη καὶ Βονωνία πλησίον ἤδη Ῥαουέννης καὶ μικρὰ πολίσματα ἀνὰ μέσον τούτων διʼ ὧν ἡ εἰς Ῥώμην ὁδός, Ἄγκαρα Ῥήγιον Λέπιδον Μακροὶ Κάμποι, ὅπου πανήγυρις συντελεῖται κατʼ ἔτος, Κλάτερνα Φόρον Κορνήλιον, Φαουεντία δὲ καὶ Καισήνα πρὸς τῷ Σάπι ποταμῷ καὶ τῷ Ῥουβίκωνι ἤδη συνάπτουσι τῷ Ἀριμίνῳ. τὸ δὲ Ἀρίμινον Ὄμβρων ἐστὶ κατοικία, καθάπερ καὶ ἡ Ῥάουεννα· δέδεκται δʼ ἐποίκους Ῥωμαίους ἑκατέρα. ἔχει δὲ τὸ Ἀρίμινον λιμένα καὶ ὁμώνυμον ποταμόν. ἀπὸ δὲ Πλακεντίας εἰς Ἀρίμινον στάδιοι χίλιοι τριακόσιοι. ὑπὲρ δὲ Πλακεντίας ἐπὶ μὲν τοὺς ὅρους τῆς Κοττίου γῆς Τικῖνον ἐν τριάκοντα ἓξ μιλίοις πόλις, καὶ ὁμώνυμος ὁ παραρρέων ποταμὸς συμβάλλων τῷ Πάδῳ, καὶ Κλαστίδιον καὶ Δέρθων καὶ Ἀκουαιστατιέλλαι μικρὸν ἐν παρόδῳ. ἡ δʼ εὐθεῖα εἰς Ὤκελον παρὰ τὸν Πάδον καὶ τὸν Δουρίαν ποταμὸν βαραθρώδης ἡ πολλή, πλείους καὶ ἄλλους ἔχουσα ποταμούς, ὧν καὶ τὸν Δρουεντίαν, μιλίων ἐστὶ περὶ ἑκατὸν ἑξήκοντα. ἐντεῦθεν δὲ ἤδη τὰ Ἄλπεια ὄρη καὶ ἡ Κελτική¹. ἔστι δὲ ἡ Δέρθων πόλις ἀξιόλογος κειμένη κατὰ μέσην τὴν ὁδὸν τὴν ἀπὸ Γενούας εἰς Πλακεντίαν, ἑκατέρας διέχουσα σταδίους τετρακοσίους· κατὰ δὲ ταύτην τὴν ὁδὸν καὶ Ἀκουαιστατιέλλαι. ἀπὸ δὲ Πλακεντίας εἰς μὲν Ἀρίμινον εἴρηται· εἰς δὲ Ῥάουενναν κατάπλους τῷ Πάδῳ δυεῖν ἡμερῶν καὶ νυκτῶν. πολὺ δὲ καὶ τῆς ἐντὸς τοῦ Πάδου κατείχετο ὑπὸ ἑλῶν, διʼ ὧν Ἀννίβας χαλεπῶς διῆλθε προϊὼν ἐπὶ Τυρρηνίαν· ἀλλʼ ἀνέψυξε τὰ πεδία ὁ Σκαῦρος διώρυγας πλωτὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ Πάδου μέχρι Πάρμης ἄγων. κατὰ γὰρ Πλακεντίαν ὁ Τρεβίας συμβάλλων τῷ Πάδῳ καὶ ἔτι πρότερον ἄλλοι πλείους πληροῦσι πέραν τοῦ μετρίου. οὗτος δὲ ὁ Σκαῦρος ἐστὶν ὁ καὶ τὴν Αἰμιλίαν ὁδὸν στρώσας τὴν διὰ Πισῶν καὶ Λούνης μέχρι Σαβάτων κἀντεῦθεν διὰ Δέρθωνος· ἄλλη δʼ ἐστὶν Αἰμιλία διαδεχομένη τὴν Φλαμινίαν. συνυπάτευσαν γὰρ ἀλλήλοις Μάρκος Λέπιδος καὶ Γάιος Φλαμίνιος· καθελόντες δὲ Λίγυας ὁ μὲν τὴν Φλαμινίαν ἔστρωσεν ἐκ Ῥώμης διὰ Τυρρηνῶν καὶ τῆς Ὀμβρικῆς μέχρι τῶν περὶ Ἀρίμινον τόπων, ὁ δὲ τὴν ἑξῆς μέχρι Βονωνίας κἀκεῖθεν εἰς Ἀκυληίαν παρὰ τὰς ῥίζας τὰς τῶν Ἄλπεων ἐγκυκλούμενος τὰ ἕλη. ὅριον δὲ τῆς χώρας ταύτης, ἣν ἐντὸς Κελτικὴν καλοῦμεν, πρὸς τὴν λοιπὴν Ἰταλίαν τό τε Ἀπέννινον ὄρος τὸ ὑπὲρ τῆς Τυρρηνίας ἀπεδέδεικτο καὶ ὁ Αἶσις ποταμός, ὕστερον δὲ ὁ Ῥουβίκων, εἰς τὸν Ἀδρίαν ἐκδιδόντες ἀμφότεροι.

[12] τῆς δʼ ἀρετῆς τῶν τόπων τεκμήριον ἥ τʼ εὐανδρία καὶ τὰ μεγέθη τῶν πόλεων καὶ ὁ πλοῦτος, οἷς πᾶσιν ὑπερβέβληνται τὴν ἄλλην Ἰταλίαν οἱ ταύτῃ Ῥωμαῖοι. καὶ γὰρ ἡ γεωργουμένη γῆ πολλοὺς καὶ παντοίους ἐκφέρει καρπούς, καὶ αἱ ὗλαι τοσαύτην ἔχουσι βάλανον ὥστʼ ἐκ τῶν ἐντεῦθεν ὑοφορβίων ἡ Ῥώμη τρέφεται τὸ πλέον. ἔστι δὲ καὶ κεγχροφόρος διαφερόντως διὰ τὴν εὐυδρίαν· τοῦτο δὲ λιμοῦ μέγιστόν ἐστιν ἄκος· πρὸς ἅπαντας γὰρ καιροὺς ἀέρων ἀντέχει καὶ οὐδέποτʼ ἐπιλείπειν δύναται, κἂν τοῦ ἄλλου σίτου γένηται σπάνις. ἔχει δὲ καὶ πιττουργεῖα θαυμαστά. τοῦ δʼ οἴνου τὸ πλῆθος μηνύουσιν οἱ πίθοι· ξύλινοι γὰρ μείζους οἴκων εἰσί· προσλαμβάνει δὲ πολὺ ἡ τῆς πίττης εὐπορία πρὸς τὸ εὐκώνητον. ἐρέαν δὲ τὴν μὲν μαλακὴν οἱ περὶ Μουτίνην τόποι καὶ τὸν Σκουλτάνναν ποταμὸν φέρουσι πολὺ πασῶν καλλίστην, τὴν δὲ τραχεῖαν ἡ Λιγυστικὴ καὶ ἡ τῶν Ἰνσούβρων, ἐξ ἧς τὸ πλέον τῆς οἰκετείας τῶν Ἰταλιωτῶν ἀμπέχεται, τὴν δὲ μέσην οἱ περὶ Πατάουιον, ἐξ ἧς οἱ τάπητες οἱ πολυτελεῖς καὶ γαυσάπαι καὶ τὸ τοιοῦτον εἶδος πᾶν, ἀμφίμαλλόν τε καὶ ἑτερόμαλλον. τὰ δὲ μέταλλα νυνὶ μὲν οὐχ ὁμοίως ἐνταῦθα σπουδάζεται διὰ τὸ λυσιτελέστερα ἴσως εἶναι τὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑπεραλπείοις Κελτοῖς καὶ τῇ Ἰβηρίᾳ, πρότερον δὲ ἐσπουδάζετο, ἐπεὶ καὶ ἐν Ὀυερκέλλοις χρυσωρυχεῖον ἦν· κώμη δʼ ἐστὶ πλησίον Ἰκτουμούλων, καὶ ταύτης κώμης, ἄμφω δʼ εἰσὶ περὶ Πλακεντίαν. αὕτη μὲν δὴ ἡ πρώτη μερὶς τῆς Ἰταλίας μέχρι δεῦρο περιωδεύσθω.

Notes on the current edition

Geography

1. The Gulf of Salerno.

2. Venetians.

3. Rimini.

4. Capo di Leuca.

5. Venetians.

6. The peninsula occupied by the people named Brettii, or Bruttii.

7. The peninsula now designated Terra di Lecce, and called by the ancients sometimes Iapygia, at others Messapia, Calabria, and Salentina. The isthmus of this peninsula was supposed to be formed by a line drawn from Brindisi to Taranto.

8. The Gulf of Venice.

9. The Sea of Tuscany.

10. The Gulf of Salerno.

11. Capo di Leuca.

12. The Mediterranean.

13. Capo dell’ Armi.

14. Of Vannes.

15.

From the Heneti, whence is the race of wild mules.

Iliad ii. 857.

16. Transpadana.

17. The Mediterranean.

18. The whole of the coast from Ravenna to Aquileia at the bottom of the Gulf of Venice is still covered with marshes and lagoons, as it was in the time of Strabo. The largest of these lagoons are at the mouths of the Po, the others at the mouths of the torrents which descend from the Alps.

19. Milan.

20. Apparently a mistake for Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus; we are unacquainted with any Caius Scipio.

21. The Lake of Como.

22. The source of the Adda is at the foot of Mount Braulio; the three sources of the Rhine issue from Mounts St. Bernardin, St. Barnabé, and Crispalt, at a considerable distance from the source of the Adda.

23. Padua.

24. This appears to have been the last census of the three taken under the reign of Augustus. The first occurred in the year of Rome 726, twenty-eight years before the Christian era; the number of citizens then amounted to 4,064,000, or, according to Eusebius, 4,011,017. The second was in the year of Rome 746, eight years before the Christian era; the number of citizens was then found to be 4,163,000. The third census was in the year of Rome 767, in the fourteenth year of the Christian era; the number of citizens at this time was 4,037,000, according to the monument of Ancyra, but according to Eusebius, 9,070,000.

25. Chioggia.

26. The Bacchiglione.

27. ξυλοπαγὴς ὅλη. We have followed the rendering of the French translators; however, Guarini, Buonaccivoli, Xylander, Siebenkees, and Bréquigny, all understand Strabo to mean that the city was built entirely of wood.

28. Altino.

29. Butrio.

30. Spinazino.

31. Oderzo.

32. Adria.

33. Vicenza.

34. About the year 186 before the Christian era.

35. Friesach in Steiermark.

36. 113 years before the Christian era.

37. Giovanni del Carso.

38. The present Timavo.

39. The Adriatic.

40. The three islands of Tremiti, namely Domenico, Nicola, and Caprara, opposite Monte Gargano.

41. Arpino.

42. Phaethusa, Lampetie, and Lampethusa. See Virg. cel. vi. 62; Aen. x. 190; Ovid Met. ii.

43. Either this passage has undergone alteration, or else Strabo is the only writer who informs us that certain mythological traditions distinguished the Eridanus from the Po, placing the former of these rivers in the vicinity of the latter. The père Bardetti thinks the Greeks originally confounded the Eretenus, a tributary of the Po, with the name Eridanus.

44. Probably Guinea-hens.

45. Strabo seems here to doubt that the Electrides islands ever existed, but the French translators, in a very judicious note, have explained that the geographical features of the country about the mouths of the Po had undergone very considerable changes on account of the immense alluvial deposit brought down from the mountains by that river, and suggest that these islands had been united to the main-land long before Strabo’s time, for which reason he would not be able to verify the ancient traditions. Even at the present day the Cavalier Negrelli is employing his celebrated engineering science in making the communication between the Po and the Adriatic navigable, and so rendering the countries bordering on the Ticino, Adda, Mincio, Trebbia, Panono, and the adjacent lakes accessible to steam-boats from the Adriatic.

46. The Timavum, or temple consecrated to Diomede.

47. The Isola di Brioni, Conversara, and S. Nicolo. Pliny calls them Insulae Pullarie.

48. This name is probably corrupt; Coray proposes to read Insubri.

49. This name is probably corrupt; Coray proposes to read Insubri.

50. Vadi.

51. The Umbrians, or Umbri, of Roman History.

52. Piacenza

53. Rimini.

54. Modena.

55. Bologna.

56. Probably corrupt.

57. Reggio in Modena.

58. Between Parma and Modena, the Val di Montirone and Orte Ma.

59. Quaderna.

60. Imola.

61. Faenza.

62. Ancient Sapis.

63. Probably Pisatello.

64. The Marecchia.

65. Pavia.

66. The Ticino.

67. Castezzio.

68. Tortona.

69. Acqui, on the left bank of the Bormia.

70. Ucello.

71. δουοͅίας.

72. The ancient Druentia.

73. Transalpine Gaul.

74. From here to the word Derthon the text appears to be corrupt.

75. Tuscany.

76. Cluvier proposes to read from Placentia to Parma; he has been followed throughout the passage by the French translators.

77. M. Aemilius Scaurus.

78. Strabo here falls into a mistake in attributing to C. Flaminius Nepos, who was consul in the year of Rome 567, 187 years before the Christian era, the construction of the Via Flaminia which led from the Portus Flumentana to the city of Ariminum. According to most Latin authors, this grand route was formed by C. Flaminius Nepos, censor in the year of Rome 534, and 220 years before the Christian era (the same who three years afterwards was slain at the battle of Thrasymenus). Livy, whose authority is certainly of great weight, speaking of the grand road made by C. Flaminius Nepos, consul in the year of Rome 567, states expressly that it led from Bologna to Arezzo. Hist. lib. xxxix. § 2.

79. Bologna.

80. Maffei proposes to substitute Placentia for Aquilena.

81. Cisalpine Gaul.

82. The ancient Aesis, now Esino, named also Fiumesino.

83. Probably the Pisatello.

84. Modena.

85. The Scultanua of antiquity.

86. Padua.

87. A kind of cassock with long hair.

88. Probably Victimolo.

89. Piacenza.

Strabo Geography 5.1

Hans Claude Hamilton (Translator), William Falconer (Translator)

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CHAPTER I.

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