Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/515

 B. vii. c. vii. 9, 10. EPIRUS. DODONA. 501 themselves into the Ionian Gulf. Some flow towards the south, as the Inachus, the Arathus, (Ratoiis,) the Achelous, and the Evenus, formerly called Lycormas. The Ratous dis- charges its waters into the Ambracian Gulf, the Inachus into the Achelous, the Achelous itself into the sea, as also the Evenus ; the former traverses Acarnania, the latter ^Etolia. The Erigon, after having received many streams which flow from the Illyrian mountains, and through the territories of Lyncestne, Brygi, Deuriopes, and Pelagonians, empties itself into the Axius. 9. There were formerly cities among these nations. The district Pelagonia-Tripolitis contained (as the name signifies) three cities, of which Azorus was one. All the cities of the Deuriopes were situated on the banks of the Erigon ; among which were Bryanium, Alalcomense, 1 and Stymbara. 2 Cydrise belonged to the Brygi, and ^Eginium on the confines of JEthi- cia, and Tricca, to the Tymphaei. Near Macedonia and Thes- salia, about the mountains Poeus and Pindus, are the jEthices, and the sources of the Peneus, which are a subject of dispute between the Tymphaei and the Thessalians, who are situated below Pindus. On the banks of the river Ion is Oxynia, a city distant from Azorus in the Tripolitis 120 stadia. Near Oxynia are Alal- comenas, JEginium, Europus, and the confluence of the Ion with the Peneus. At that time then, as I said before, the whole of Epirus and Illyria were well peopled, although the country is rugged and full of mountains, such as Tomarus, and Polyanus, and many others. At present the greater part is uninhabited, and the inhabited parts are left in the state of villages, or in ruins. Even the oracle at Dodona has almost been deserted, like the rest. 10. This oracle, according to Ephorus, was established by Pelasgi, who are said to be the most ancient people that were sovereigns in Greece. Thus the poet speaks, " O great Pelasgic Dodonsean Jove ;" * and Ilesiod, " He went to Dodona, the dwelling of the Pelasgi, and to the beech tree." 1 Alcomenae. a Styberra, Polyb. ; Stubera, Liv. ; Stobera, Suid. 3 Iliad, book xvi. 233.