Latin Texts & Translations

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 ^[Note] 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 ^[Note], as also those of Phintonis ^[Note] and Fossæ, from which last the Straits themselves have obtained the name of Taphros ^[Note].

(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 ^[Note] is distant from Africa 200, and from Gades 1400 miles. Off the promontory of Gordis ^[Note] it has two islands called the Isles of Hercules ^[Note], off that of Sulcis, the island of Enosis ^[Note], and off that of Caralis, Ficaria ^[Note]. Some writers place Beleris not far from it, as also Callodis, and the island known as Heras Lutra ^[Note].

The most celebrated peoples of this island are the Ilienses ^[Note], the Balari, and the Corsi; and among its eighteen towns, there are those of the Sulcitani ^[Note], the Valentini ^[Note], the Neapoli-

tani ^[Note], the Bosenses ^[Note], the Caralitani ^[Note], who enjoy the rights of Roman citizens, and the Norenses ^[Note]. There is also one colony which is called Ad Turrim Libysonis ^[Note]. 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 ^[Note], from its resemblance to the print of a footstep. Opposite to the Gulf of Pæstum is Leucasia ^[Note], 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 ^[Note] from the watch-tower of Ulysses situate there.