Greek Texts & Translations

whether it denotes large, which is most probable. Some understand καιετάεσσα to signify, abounding with calaminthus; others suppose, as the fissures occasioned by earthquakes are called Caeeti, that this is the origin of the epithet. Hence Caeietas also, the name of the prison among the Lacedaemonians, which is a sort of cave. Some however say, that such kind of hollows are rather called Coi, whence the expression of Homer, ^note applied to wild beasts, φησὶν ὀρεσκῴοισιν, which live in mountain caves. Laconia however is subject to earthquakes, and some writers relate, that certain peaks of Taÿgetum have been broken off by the shocks. ^note

Laconia contains also quarries of valuable marble. Those of the Taenarian marble in Taenarum ^note are ancient, and certain persons, assisted by the wealth of the Romans, lately opened a large quarry in Taÿgetum. 8

It appears from Homer, that both the country and the city had the name of Lacedaemon; I mean the country together with Messenia. When he speaks of the bow and quiver of Ulysses, he says, A present from Iphitus Eurytides, a stranger, who met him in Lacedaemon, ^note
Od. xxi. 13. and adds, They met at Messene in the house of Ortilochus.
He means the country which was a part of Messenia. ^note There was then no difference whether he said A stranger, whom he met at Lacedaemon, gave him, or, they met at Messene; for it is evident that Pherae was the home of Ortilochus: they arrived at Pherae, and went to the house of Diocles the son of Ortilochus, ^note
Od. iii. 488. namely, Telemachus and Pisistratus. Now Pherae ^note belongs to Messenia. But after saying, that Telemachus and his friend set out from Pherae, and were driving their two horses the whole day, he adds,