Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/529

 FRAGM. 41-48. THRACE. 515 41. Anciently, as at present, the Paeonians appear to have been masters of so much of what is now called Macedonia as to be able to besiege Perinthus, and subject to their power Crestonia, the whole of Mygdonia, and the territory of the Agrianes as far as Mount Pangaeus. Above the sea-coast of the Strymonic Gulf, extending from Galepsus to Nestus, are situated Philippi and the surrounding country. Philippi was formerly called Crenides ; it was a small settlement, but in- creased after the defeat of Brutus and Cassius. E. 43. l The present city Philippi was anciently called Cre- nides. EPIT. 44. In front of this coast lie two islands, Lemnos and Tha- sos. Beyond the strait at Thasos is Abdera, with its fables. It was inhabited by Bistones, over whom ruled Diomed. The Nestus does not always keep within its banks, but frequently inundates the country. Then Dicaea, a city on the gulf, with a harbour. Above it is the lake Bistonis, 200 stadia in cir- cumference. They say that Hercules, when he came to seize upon the horses of Diomed, cut a canal through the sea-shore and turned the water of the sea upon the plain, which is situ- ated in a hollow, and is lower than the level of the sea, and thus vanquished his opponents. The royal residence of Dio- med is shown, called, from a local peculiarity, its natural strength, Cartera-Come [Strong -Village]. Beyond the in- land lake are Xanthia, Maronia, and Ismarus, cities of the Cicones. Ismarus is now called Ismara-near-Maronia. Near it is the outlet of the lake Ismaris. The stream is called sweet ****** At this place are what are called the heads of the Thasii. The Sapaei are situated above. E. 45. Topeira is situated near Abdera and Maronia. E. 46. The Sinti, a Thracian tribe, inhabit the island of Lem- nos ; whence Homer calls them Sinties, thus, " There are the Sinties." EPIT. 47. After the river Nestus to the west is the city Abdera, named after Abderus, who was eaten by the horses of Dio- med ; then, near, Dicaea, a city, above which is situated a large lake, the Bistonis ; then the city Maronia. EPIT. 48. The whole of Thrace is composed of twenty-two na- tions. Although greatly exhausted, it is capable of equipping 1 This extract should be numbered 42, and not 43. As the error in Kramer continues to the end of the book, it has not been corrected. 2 L 2