Greek Texts & Translations

It is said that the whole sea-coast along the Corycus was the haunt of pirates, who were called Corycaeans, and who had contrived a new mode of attacking vessels. They dispersed themselves among the ports, and went among the merchants who had just arrived, and listened to their conversation respecting the freight of their ships, and the places whither they were bound. The pirates then collected together, attacked the merchants at sea, and plundered the vessels. Hence all inquisitive persons and those who listen to private and secret conversation we call Corycaeans, and say proverbially, The Corycaean must have overheard it, when any one thinks that he has done or said anything not to be divulged, but is betrayed by spies or persons anxious to be informed of what does not concern them. 33

Next to Corycus is Halonnesus, a small island, then the Argennum, ^note a promontory of the Erythraean territory, situated close to Poseidium, belonging to the Chians, and forming a strait of about 60 stadia in width. Between Erythrae and Hypocremnus is Mimas, ^note a lofty mountain, abounding with beasts of chase, and well wooded. Then follows Cybelia, a village, and a promontory called Melaena, ^note (or Black,) which has a quarry whence millstones are obtained. 34

Erythrae was the native place of the Sibyl, an ancient inspired prophetess. In the time of Alexander there was another Sibyl, who was also a prophetess, whose name was Athenais, a native of the same city; and in our age there was Heracleides the Herophilian physician, a native of Erythrae, a fellow-student of Apollonius surnamed Mus. 35

The coasting circumnavigation of Chios is 900 stadia. It has a city ^note with a good port, and a station for eighty vessels. In the voyage round the island, a person sailing from the city, with the island on his right hand, first meets with Poseidium, ^note then Phanae, ^note a deep harbour, and a temple of Apollo, and a grove of palm trees; then Notium, a part of the coast affording a shelter for vessels; next Laïus, ^note which is also a place of