Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/488

 STRABO. CASAUB. 308. CP Chersonese. 1 This, according to some, is The Putrid Lake 2 is said to extend 4000 fference). and forms part of the [Palus] .+a western side, with which it communicates by a O c opening. It abounds in marshy tracts, and is scarcely navigable with "sewn" 3 boats. The shallower parts are soon uncovered, and again covered with water, by the force of the wind ; but the marsh will not bear boats of a deeper draught. In the bay are three small islands ; and in sailing along the coast, some shallows are met with, and rocks which rise above water. 2. On the left in sailing out of the bay [Carcinites] there is a small town and another harbour 4 belonging to the people of the Chersonese ; for in coasting along the bay, there pro- jects towards the south a large promontory, which is a part of the great Chersonese. Upon it stands a city of the Hera- cleota3, who are a colony from Heraclea 5 in the Euxine ; it bears the same name, Chersonesus, as the territory. It is dis- tant from the Dniester, 6 in following the coast, 4400 stadia. In _this ditv is a temple of the Vir^i'n^snjTTp gnrlHpss^ after whom the promontory, which is in front of theciTy, at the distance of 100 stadia, is called Parthenium. It has a shrine of the goddess and a statue. BeTweenT;he city 8 and the promontory are three harbours ; next is the Old city Chersonesus in ruins ; then follows a harbour with a narrow entrance. It was called Syrnbolon Limen, or Signal Harbour ; and here principally was carried on a system of piracy against those who took 1 The Crimea. 2 The Sivash, or Putrid Lake. It communicates at the present day, not by a large opening, but by the narrow strait of Yenitche, or Tonka, with the Sea of Azof, (the Palus Mseotis,) from which it is separated by the Tonka, or Tongue of Arabat. 3 paTTTois irXoioig. Boats probably composed of frame-work covered with hides. 4 Casaubon suggests, and Gossellin adopts, the reading KaXoc Xifirjv, Fair Haven, for aXXog Xi^v, another harbour. Vhatever harbour was meant, its situation is uncertain. 5 Tereklias. 6 The ancient Tyras. 7 In speaking of the Virgin as " some goddess," it may be doubted whether^ Dia,na is here meant. or_ some Scythian or pastern divinity. ' Parthenium, a village, is mentioned, c. 4, ^ THe scene of the Iphigenia in Tauris of Euripides is laid some where on these shores. 8 The New Chersonesus, Cape Cherson, and the three small harbours near Khut.