Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/531

 FRAGM. 5356. HELLESPONT. 517 then the Chersonesus, called the Thracian Chersonesus, form- ing the Propontis, the Gulf of Melas, and the Hellespont. It stretches forwards to the south-east, like a promontory, bring- ing Europe and Asia together, with only a strait between them of 7 stadia in width, the Strait of Sestos and Abydos. On the left is the Propontis, on the right the Gulf Melas, 1 so called from the river Melas,' 2 which discharges itself into it, according to Herodotus and Eudoxus. It is stated (says Strabo) by Herodotus, that the stream of this river was not sufficient to supply the army of Xerxes. The above pro- montory is closed in by an isthmus 40 stadia across. In the middle of the isthmus is situated the city Lysimachia, named after king Lysimachus, its founder. On one side of the isth- mus, on the Gulf Melas, lies Cardia ; its first founders were Milesians and Clazomenaeans, its second founders Athenians. It is the largest of the cities in the Chersonesus. Pactya is on the Propontis. After Cardia are Drabus and Limnas; then Alopeconnesus, where the Gulf Melas principally ends ; then the great promontory Mazusia ; then, in the gulf, Eleus, where is Protesilaum, from whence Sigeum, a promontory of Troas, is 40 stadia distant ; this is about the most southern extremity of the Chersonesus, distant from Cardia rather more than 400. stadia ; if the circuit is made by sea to the other side of the isthmus, the distance is a little greater. E. 53. The Thracian Chersonesus forms three seas, the Pro- pontis to the north, the Hellespont to the east, and the Gulf Melas to the south, where the river Melas, of the same name as the gulf, discharges itself. EPIT. 54. In the isthmus of the Chersonesus are three cities, Cardia on the Gulf of Melas, Pactya on the Propontis, Lysi- machia in the interior; the breadth of the isthmus is 40 stadia. EPIT. 55. The name of the city Eleus is of the masculine gen- der, perhaps that of Trapezus is also masculine. EPIT. 56. In the voyage round of which we have been speaking ; beyond Eleus, first, is the entrance into the Propontis through the straits, where they say the Hellespont begins. There is a promontory here by some called Dog's Monument, by others the Monument of Hecuba, for on doubling the pro- 1 Gulf of Saros. 2 Kavaktshai.