Greek Texts & Translations

Tauric or Scythian Chersonese. ^note This, according to some, is 360 stadia across. The Putrid Lake ^note is said to extend 4000 stadia (in circumference), and forms part of the [Palus] Maeotis on its western side, with which it communicates by a large opening. It abounds in marshy tracts, and is scarcely navigable with sewn ^note boats. The shallower parts are soon uncovered, and again covered with water, by the force of the wind; but the marsh will not bear boats of a deeper draught. In the bay are three small islands; and in sailing along the coast, some shallows are met with, and rocks which rise above water. 2

On the left in sailing out of the bay [Carcinites] there is a small town and another harbour ^note belonging to the people of the Chersonese; for in coasting along the bay, there projects towards the south a large promontory, which is a part of the great Chersonese. Upon it stands a city of the Heracleotae, who are a colony from Heraclea ^note in the Euxine; it bears the same name, Chersonesus, as the territory. It is distant from the Dniester, ^note in following the coast, 4400 stadia. In this city is a temple of the Virgin, some goddess, ^note after whom the promontory, which is in front of the city, at the distance of 100 stadia, is called Parthenium. It has a shrine of the goddess and a statue. Between the city ^note and the promontory are three harbours; next is the Old city Chersonesus in ruins; then follows a harbour with a narrow entrance. It was called Symbolon Limen, or Signal Harbour; and here principally was carried on a system of piracy against those who took