Pliny the Elder, Natural History (English) (XML Header) [genre: prose] [word count] [lemma count] [Plin. Nat.].
<<Plin. Nat. 3.29 Plin. Nat. 3.30 (Latin) >>Plin. Nat. 4.1

3.30 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 [Note], remarkable for the monument of Diomedes, and another island called by the same name, but by some Teutria.

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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 [Note] that rise with the tides of the sea, the island of Cissa near the territory of the Istri, and the Pullaria [Note] and Absyrtides [Note], 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 [Note], upon which amber, which they call "electrum," was said to be found; a most assured instance however of that untruthfulness [Note] 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 [Note]. Opposite to the Liburni are some islands called the Crateæ, and no smaller number styled Liburniecæ and Celadussæ [Note]. Opposite to Surium is Bavo, and Brattia [Note],

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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 [Note], surnamed Melæna, with a town founded by the Cnidians; between which and Illyricum is Melite [Note], 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 [Note]. In the Ionian Sea, at a distance of twelve miles from Oricum, is Sasonis [Note], notorious from having been a harbour of pirates.

Summary.—The towns and nations mentioned are in number**** [Note]. 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 [Note], Cornelius Nepos [Note], T. Livius [Note], Cato the Censor [Note], M. Agrip-

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pa [Note], M. Varro [Note], the Emperor Augustus [Note] now deified, Varro Atacinus [Note], Antias [Note], Hyginus [Note], L. Vetus [Note], Pomponius Mela [Note],

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Curio [Note] the Elder, Cælius [Note], Arruntius [Note], Sebosus [Note], Licinius Mucianus [Note], Fabricius Tuscus [Note], L. Ateius [Note], Capito [Note], Verrius Flaccus [Note], L. Piso [Note], Gellianus [Note], and Valerianus [Note].

Foreign Authors quoted.—Artemidorus [Note], Alexander

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Polyhistor [Note], Thucydides [Note], Theophrastus [Note], Isidorus [Note], Theopompus [Note], Metrodorus of Scepsis [Note], Callicrates [Note], Xenophon of Lampsacus [Note], Diodorus of Syracuse [Note], Nymphodorus [Note], Calliphanes [Note], and Timagenes [Note].

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BOOK IV. AN ACCOUNT OF COUNTRIES, NATIONS, SEAS, TOWNS, HAVENS, MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, DISTANCES, AND PEOPLES WHO NOW EXIST OR FORMERLY EXISTED.


Pliny the Elder, Natural History (English) (XML Header) [genre: prose] [word count] [lemma count] [Plin. Nat.].
<<Plin. Nat. 3.29 Plin. Nat. 3.30 (Latin) >>Plin. Nat. 4.1

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