Latin Texts & Translations

The tide of the Hellespont now begins to run with greater violence, and the sea beats against the shore, undermining with its eddies the barriers that stand in its way, until it has succeeded in separating Asia from Europe. At this spot is the promontory which we have already mentioned as Trapeza ^[Note]; ten miles distant from which is the city of

Abydos ^[Note], where the straits are only seven stadia wide; then the town of Percote ^[Note]; Lampsacus ^[Note], at first called Pityusa; the colony of Parium ^[Note], which Homer calls by the name of Adrastia; the town of Priapos ^[Note]; the river Æsepus ^[Note]; Zelia ^[Note]; and then the Propontis ^[Note], that being the name given to the tract of sea where it enlarges. We then come to the river Granicus ^[Note], and the harbour of Artace ^[Note], where a town formerly stood. Beyond this is an island which Alexander joined to the continent, and upon which is Cyzicus ^[Note], a city of the Milesians, which was formerly called Arctonnesos ^[Note], Dolionis, and Dindymis; above it are the heights of Mount Dindymus ^[Note]. We then come to the towns of Placia, Ariace ^[Note], and Scylace; in the rear of which places is Mount Olympus, known as the "Mysian Olympus," and the city of Olympena. There are also the rivers Horisius ^[Note] and Rhyndacus ^[Note], formerly called the Lycus; this last river rises in Lake Artynias, near Miletopolis, and receives the Macestos, and many other streams, dividing in its course Asia ^[Note] from Bithynia ^[Note].

This country was at first called by the name of Cronia, after that, Thessalis, and then Malianda and Strymonis. The people of it are by Homer called Halizones ^[Note], from the fact that it was a nation begirt by the sea. There was formerly a vast city here, Attussa by name; at present there are twelve cities in existence; among which is Gordiucome ^[Note], otherwise Juliopolis; and, on the coast, Dascylos ^[Note]. We then come to the river Gelbes ^[Note]; and, in the interior, the town of Helgas, or Germanicopolis, which has also the other name of Booseœte ^[Note] Apamea ^[Note], now more generally known as Myrlea of the Colophonians: the river Etheleus also. the ancient boundary of Troas, and the commencement of Mysia. Next to this comes the gulf ^[Note] into which the river Ascanius flows, the town of Bryllion ^[Note], and the rivers Hylas and Cios, with a town of the same name as the last- mentioned river; it was founded by the Milesians at a place which was called Aseania of Phrygia, as an entrepôt for the trade of the Phrygians who dwelt in the vicinity. We may therefore look upon this as a not ineligible opportunity for making further mention of Phrygia.