Page:The Natural History of Pliny.djvu/323

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Chap. 11.] ACCOUIST OF COTJNTEIES, ETC. 2S9 Scironian Rocks six miles in length, Geranea, Megara, and Eleusis^. (Enoe'^ and Probalintlios also formerly existed here : the ports of Piraeus and Phalerum"* are distant from the Isthmus fifty-five miles, being united to Athens, which lies in the interior, by a wall'^ five miles in length. Athens is a -free city, and needs*^ not a word more from us in its commen- dation; of fame it enjoys even more than enough. In Attica there are the Eountains of Cephisia', Larine, Callirrhoe Enneacrunos^, and the mountains of Bri- lessus^, ^Egialeus, Icarius, Hymettus^°, Lycabettus", and the place where Ilissus^'-^ stood. At the distance of forty- five miles from the Piraeus is the Promontory of Sunium^^. There is also the Promontory of Thoricos^^; Potamos'% the Istlimus, properly so called, and Megara. Its ruins are tlionght to be those seen near the chapel of Saint Theodorus. It -was said to hare been the liaunt of the wild boar killed by Theseus. ^ So called from being the scene of the ravages of the robber Scu'on. They are now called Kaki Scala. 2 Famous as the principal seat of the worship of the goddesses Demeter and Perse]5hone. Its remains are to be seen at the modern Lefsina. 3 Pera Chora marks its site. It was a member of the Tetrapohs of Attica, and Probalinthos another.

  • Ulriclis, the best authority, places the port of Plialerum at the east

corner of the gi*eat Plialeric Bay, in the vicinity of Tripirglii, or the Three Towers. The three harbours of the PiroEus are the present Pha- nari, Stratiotiki or Paschalimani, and Drako or Porto Leone. 5 The Piraeus was united to the city by two walls, called the " Long WaUs," forty stadia in length. The length cf the Phaleric wall was thirty-five stadia. ^ It is to be regretted that such was his opinion. He could have well spared space for a description of it. ' The city of Cephisia, still called Kivisia, was one of the twelve cities of Cecrops. The fountain of transparent water is still to be seen here. 8 Or the " Nine Springs." It was the only source of good water for drinking purposes in Athens. This spring is still called by its ancient name. Of Larine nothing seems to be known. 9 Tliis is thought to have been the ancient name of the mountain afterwards kno^^'n as Pentchcus, so famous for its marble, now called Mendeh or Pentch. ^0 The northern or Greater Hymettus is now called Telo-Yuni, the southern or Lesser Mavro-Yuni. ^' On the N.E. of Athens, now called the Ilill of Saint George. ^- Probably on the river of the same name. -^ Now Cajio Colonna. ^* North of Sunium and the modern bay of Panorimo. Thoricus was one of the Demi of Attica. ^5 This was the name of two Demi, though probably one place. It lay TOL. I. U