Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/347

 B. v. c. ii. 7. ITALY. CORSICA. SARDINIA. 333 over the ocean, so does he narrate of Jason, as he too had been renowned for his travels : and the same he likewise re- lates of Menelaus. This is what we have to say of JEthalia. 7. Cyrnus is called by the Romans Corsica ; it is poorly in- habited, being both rugged and in many parts entirely inac- cessible, so that the mountaineers, who live by plunder, are more savage than wild beasts. Whenever any Roman general invades the country, and, penetrating into the wilds, seizes a vast number of slaves, it is a marvel to behold in Rome how savage and bestial they appear. For they either scorn to live, or if they do live, aggravate their purchasers by their apathy and insensibility, causing them to regret the purchase-money, how- ever small. 1 We must remark, however, that some districts are habitable, and that there are some small cities, for instance Blesino, Charax, Eniconiae, and Vapanes. 2 The chorogra- pher 3 says that the length of this island is 160 miles, its breadth 70 ; that the length of Sardinia is 220, and its breadth 98. According to others, the perimeter of Cyrnus is said to be about 1200 4 stadia, and of Sardinia 4000. A great portion of this latter is rugged and untranquil ; another large portion is fertile in every production, but particularly in wheat. There are many cities, some are considerable, as Caralis 5 and Sulchi. 6 There is however an evil, which must be set against the fertility of these places ; for during the summer the island is unhealthy, more particularly so in the most fertile districts ; in addition to this, it is often ravaged by the mountaineers, whom they call Diagesbes, 7 who formerly were named lolaenses. For it is said that lolaus 8 brought hither certain of the children of Hercules, and established himself amongst the barbarian pos- 1 The testimony of Diodorus is just to the contrary. The Corsican slaves appear better fitted than any others for performing useful services ; their physical constitution being peculiarly adapted thereto. Diodor. Sic. 1. v. 13. 2 None of these names are found in Ptolemy's description of Corsica. Diodorus Siculus has names somewhat similar. 3 It is uncertain to whom Strabo here alludes. The French translators are of opinion that he alludes to the chart of Agrippa. 4 The French translators read with their manuscript 1394, Trtpt rpttr- XiXiovf, K. T. X., about 3200. 5 Cagliari. 6 Cluvier is of opinion that the modern Palma di Solo corresponds to Sulchi. 7 Some manuscripts read Diagebres. 8 The nephew of Hercules, being the son of Iphiclus, his brother.