Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/178

 164 STRABO. BOOK II. as Eratosthenes, but the third, which is equally terminated by the Cape of Malea 1 and Cape Sunium, 2 [he makes to] comprehend the whole of Greece, Illyria, and some portion of Thrace. [He supposes] a fourth, containing the Thracian Chersonesus and the countries contiguous to the Strait, 3 be- twixt Sestos and Abydos. This is occupied by the Thracians. Also a fifth, about the Kimmerian Bosphorus and the mouth of the Maeotis. Let us allow [to Polybius] his two former [promontories], they are clearly distinguished by unmistake- able bays; the first by the bay between Calpe 4 and the Sacred Promontory 5 where Gades 6 is situated, as also by the sea between the Pillars and Sicily ; the second 7 by the latter sea and the Adriatic, 8 although it may be objected that the ex- tremity of lapygia, 9 being a promontory in itself, causes Italy to have a double cape. But as for the remaining [pro- montories of Polybius], they are plainly much more irregular, and composed of many parts, and require some other division. So likewise his plan of dividing [Europe] into six parts, similar to that of the promontories, is liable to objection. However, we will set to rights each of these errors sepa- rately, as we meet with them, as well as the other blunders into which he has fallen in his description of Europe, and the journey round Africa. For the present we think that we have sufficiently dwelt on those of our predecessors whom we have thought proper to introduce as testimonies in our behalf, that both in the matter of correction and addition we had ample cause to undertake the present work. 1 Cape Malio. Gosselin is of opinion that some omission has occurred in this passage, and proposes to substitute the following: "The two former of these Polybius describes in the same manner as Eratosthenes, but he subdivides the third. He comprehends within Cape Malea all the Peloponnesus ; within Cape Sunium the whole of Greece, Illyria, and a part of Thrace." 2 Cape Colonna. 3 The Strait of the Dardanelles. 4 The Rock of Gibraltar. 5 Cape St. Vincent. 6 Cadiz. 7 The Italian Promontory. 8 The Gulf of Venice. 9 Capo di Leuca.