Greek Texts & Translations

to vessels approaching. It is called Dianium, ^note from Diana. Near to it are some fine iron-works, and two small islands, Planesia ^note and Plumbaria, ^note with a sea-water lake lying above, of 400 stadia in circumference. Next is the island of Hercules, near to Carthage, and called Scombraria, ^note on account of the mackerel taken there, from which the finest garum ^note is made. It is distant 24 stadia from Carthage. On the other side of the Xucar, going towards the outlet of the Ebro, is Saguntum, founded by the Zacynthians. The de- struction of this city by Hannibal, contrary to his treaties with the Romans, kindled the second Punic war. Near to it are the cities of Cherronesus, ^note Oleastrum, and Cartalia, and the colony of Dertossa, ^note on the very passage of the Ebro. The Ebro takes its source amongst the Cantabrians; it flows through an extended plain towards the south, running parallel with the Pyrenees. 7

The first city between the windings of the Ebro and the extremities of the Pyrenees, near to where the Trophies of Pompey are erected, is Tarraco; ^note it has no harbour, but is situated on a bay, and possessed of many other advantages. At the present day it is as well peopled as Carthage; ^note for it is admirably suited for the stay of the prefects, ^note and is as it were the metropolis, not only of [the country lying] on this side the Ebro, but also of a great part of what lies beyond. The near vicinity of the Gymnesian Islands, ^note and Ebusus, ^note which are all of considerable importance, are sufficient to inform one of the felicitous position of the city. Eratosthenes tells us that it has a road-stead, but Artemidorus contradicts this, and affirms that it scarcely possesses an anchorage. 8

The whole coast from the Pillars up to this place wants harbours, but all the way from here to Emporium, ^note the countries of the Leëtani, the Lartolaeetae, and others, are both furnished with excellent harbours and fertile. Emporium was founded by the people of Marseilles, and is about 4000 ^note stadia