Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/397

 B. vi. c. i. 5. ITALY. THE BRUTTII. GRECIAN CITIES. 383 was formerly the residence of the GEnotrian kings. After Cosentia is Hipponium, 1 founded by the Locrians. 2 The Ro- mans took it from the Bruttii, who were in possession of it at a subsequent period, and changed the name into Vibo-Valen- tia. 3 And because the meadows in its vicinity are luxuriant and full of flowers, it is supposed that Proserpine came over from Sicily to gather them, and from thence the custom among women of this city, to gather flowers and plait garlands, pre- vailed to such an extent, that they now think it shameful to wear purchased garlands at the festivals. 4 It also possesses a harbour 5 made by Agathocles, 6 the tyrant of Sicily, when he was in possession of the town. On sailing hence to the Portus Herculis, 7 we come to the point where the headlands of Italy, as they stretch towards the Strait [of Sicily], begin to turn westward. In this voyage we pass Medma, 8 a city of the same Locrians, 9 which bears the name of a copious foun- tain, and possessing at a short distance a naval station, called Emporium. 10 Very nigh is the river Metauro, 11 as also a naval station bearing the same name. 12 The Lipari Isles lie off this coast ; they are distant 200 stadia from the strait. They say that they are the islands of JEolus, of whom the poet makes together with a rivulet, Maresanto or Arconti ; which last name recalls the Acheron denounced by another prediction, as so inauspicious to the Molossian king. Scylax, in his Periplus, seems to place Pandosia, together with Clampetia and Terina, near the western coast. I Afterwards Vibo Valentia, now Monte-Leone. 3 Surnamed the Epizephyrii. Heyne supposes this took place B.C. 388. 3 B. c. 193. 4 There was a temple erected to Proserpine in these meadows, and a building called " Amalthsea's horn," raised by Gelon of Syracuse. 5 The present harbour of Bivona. 6 He reigned from B. c. 317 to B. c. 289. 7 Now Le Formicole. The promontory named Capo Vaticano seems to have been anciently known under the same appellation. 8 Medma, or Mesma, was situated on the right bank of the river Mesima, which seems to retain traces of the name of the ancient city. Antiquaries report that its ruins are seen between Nicotera and the river Mesima. The epigraph on the coins of this city is generally MESMA, or ME2MAIQN, and in a single instance MEAAMA. 9 That is, the Epizephyrian Locrians. 10 Cluverius considers this to be the modern Bagnara. II The ancient river Metaurus is now also called Marro, and sometimes Petrace. It was noted for the excellence of the thunny fish caught at its mouth. 12 Metaurum. The site of this place is supposed to accord with that of the town of Gioja.