Latin Texts & Translations

Beyond Eubœa, and out in the Myrtoan ^[Note] Sea, are numerous other islands; but those more especially famous are, Glau-

connesos and the Ægila ^[Note]. Off the promontory, too, of Geræstus are the Cyclades, lying in a circle around Delos, from which circumstance ^[Note] they derive their name. The first of them is the one called Andros ^[Note] with a city of the same name, distant from Geræstus ten miles, and from Ceos thirty-nine. Myrsilus tells us that this island was at first called Cauros, and after that Antandros; Callimachus calls it Lasia, and others again Nonagria, Hydrussa, and Epagris. It is ninety-three miles in circumference. At a distance of one mile from Andros and of fifteen from Delos, is Tenos ^[Note], with a city of the same name; this island is fifteen miles in length. Aristotle says that it was formerly called Hydrussa, from the abundance of water found here, while some writers call it Ophiussa ^[Note]. The other islands are, Myconos ^[Note], with the mountain of Dimastus ^[Note], distant from Delos fifteen ^[Note] miles; Siphnus ^[Note], formerly called Meropia and Acis, twenty-eight miles in circumference; Seriphus ^[Note], twelve miles in circuit; Prepesinthus ^[Note]; Cythnos ^[Note]; and then, by far the most famous among the Cyclades, and lying in the very middle of them, Delos ^[Note] itself; so famous for its temple of Apollo, and its extensive commerce. This island long floated on the waves, and, as tradition says, was the only one that had never

experienced an earthquake, down to the time of M. Varro ^[Note]; Mucianus however has informed us, that it has been twice so visited. Aristotle states that this island received its name from the fact of its having so suddenly made its appearance ^[Note] on emerging from the sea; Aglaosthenes, however, gives it the name of Cynthia, and others of Ortygia ^[Note], Asteria, Lagia, Chlamydia, Cynthus, and, from the circumstance of fire having been first discovered here, Pyrpile. Its circumference is five miles only; Mount Cynthus ^[Note] here raises his head.

Next to this island is Rhene ^[Note], which Anticlides calls by the name of Celadussa, and Callidemus, Artemite; Scyros ^[Note], which the old writers have stated to be twenty miles in circumference, but Mucianus 160; Oliaros ^[Note]; and Paros ^[Note], with a city of the same name, distant from Delos thirty-eight miles, and famous for its marble ^[Note]; it was first called Platea,

and after that, Minois. At a distance of seven miles from this last island is Naxos ^[Note], with a town of the same name; it is eighteen miles distant from Delos. This island was formerly called Strongyle ^[Note], then Dia, and then Dionysias ^[Note], in consequence of the fruitfulness of its vineyards; others again have called it the Lesser Sicily, or Callipolis ^[Note]. It is seventy-five ^[Note] miles in circumference—half as large again as Paros.