Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/242

 228 STRABO. CASATJK. 152. plains which lie above it, so that the plain is inundated and rendered navigable for a distance of 150 stadia. In the upper estuary an island is formed about 30 stadia in length, and nearly equal in breadth, which is fertile, and has excellent vines. The island lies near to Moro, 1 a city happily situ- ated on a mountain close to the river, and about 500 stadia from the sea. The country surrounding it is very fine, and the ascent [of the Tagus] for a considerable way practicable for vessels of a large size, the remainder is performed in river- boats. Above Moro it is navigable for a yet longer distance. Brutus, surnamed the Gallician, made use of this city as a military station, when fighting against the Lusitanians, whom he subdued. On the sides of the river he fortified Olysipo, in order that the passage up the river and the carriage of neces- saries might be preserved unimpeded. These therefore are the finest cities near the Tagus. The river contains much fish, and is full of oysters. It takes its rise amongst the Kel- tiberians, and flows through the [country of the] Vettones, Carpetani, and Lusitani, towards thejwest ; 2 to a certain dis- tance it runs parallel with the Guadiana 3 and Guadalquiver, 4 but parts from them as they decline towards the southern coast. 2. Of those who dwell above the aforesaid mountains, the Oretani are the most southern, extending in part as far as the sea-coast on this side the Pillars. Next these towards the north are the Carpetani, then the Vettones and Vaccasi, through whose [country] the Douro 5 flows as it passes Acontia, 6 a city of the Vaccaei. TEeTGallician s are the last, and inhabit for the most part a mountainous country : on this account they were the most difficult To subdue, and furnished his sur- name to the conqueror of the Lusitanians ; in fact at the present day the greater part of the Lusitanians are beginning to call themselves Gallicians. The finest cities of Oretania are Qa^tulo "' and Oria. 8 3. North of the Tagus is Ljisitania, the principal of the na- tions of Iberia, and the one which has most frequently en- countered the arms of the Romans. On the southern side / A city of Lusitania, hod. Al-Merim. 2 Literally towards the sunset at the equinox. 3 Anas. 4 Baetis. 5 During. This city is not mentioned elsewhere in Strabo. Casloria. 8 Oreto.