Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/267

 B. in. c. v. 3. SPAIN. 253 were compelled, as we have related, to resort for refuge to the Romans. However, at the present day the facility with which these animals are taken, prevents them from doing in- jury, consequently those who possess land cultivate it with advantage. These [islands] are on this side of what are called the Pillars of Hercules. 3. Near to them, are two small islands, one of which is called the Island of Juno : some call these the Pillars. Be- yond the Pillars is Gades, 1 concerning which all that we have hitherto remarked is, that it is distant from Calpe 2 about 750 stadia, and is situated near to the outlet of the Notwithstanding there is much can be said about it. For its in- habitants equip the greatest number of ships, and the largest in_size, both for our sea, 4 and the exterior ("ocean], although the island they inhabit is by no meansTarge, nor yet do they possess much of the mainland, nor are masters of other islands. They dwell for the most part onthese_a, only a few staying at home or passing their timeTn Rome. Still, in amount of population, their city does not seem to be surpassed by any with the exception of Rome. I have heard that in a pensus taken within our own times, there were enumerated five hun- dred citizens of Gades of the equestrian order, a~rrumber equalled by none of the Italian cities excepting that of the Patavini. 5 However, notwithstanding their vast number, its inhabitants possess an island, in length 6 not much above 100 stadia, and in some places only one stadium in breadth. Originally the city in which they dwelt was extremely small, but Balbus 7 the Gaditanian, who received the honours of a < 1 Cadiz. 2 The rock of Gibraltar. 3 This mouth of the Guadalquiver, opposite Cadiz, no longer exists. 4 The Mediterranean. 5 Padua. 6 " The length of the island of Leon, at the extremity of which the city of Cadiz is situated, is about 9500 toises, which are equivalent to 1UO Olympic stadia." Gosselin. 7 L. Cornelius Balbus was a native of Cadiz, and descended from an illustrious family in that town. His original name probably bore some resemblance in sound to the Latin Balbus. Cadiz being one of the federate cities, supported the Romans in their war against Sertorius in Spain, and Balbus thus had an opportunity for distinguishing himself. He served under the Roman generals Q. Mettellus Pius, C. Memmius, and Pompey, and was present at the battles of Turia and Sucro. He distinguished himself so much throughout the war, that Pompey confer- red the Roman citizenship upon him, his brother, and his brother's sons;