Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/105

 B. ix. c. ii. 12. BCEOTIA. 97 chariot (apjua) of Amphiaraus, and is a different place from Harma in Attica, near Phyle, 1 a demus of Attica bordering upon Tanagra. There the proverb originated, " When it has lightened through Harma," The Pytha'istae, as they are called, signify, by the order of an oracle, the occurrence of any lightning when they are look- ing in the direction of Harma, and despatch the sacrifice to Delphi whenever it is observed. They were to keep watch for three months, and for three days and nights in each month, at the altar of Jupiter Astrapius, or Dispenser of lightning. This altar is in the wall, between the Pythium and the Olym- pium. Respecting the Boeotian Harma, some say, that Am- phiaraus fell in battle out of his chariot, [harma,] near the spot where his temple now stands, and that the chariot was drawn empty to the place, which bears the same name [Harma]. 2 Others say, that the chariot of Adrastus, in his flight, was there dashed in pieces, but that he himself escaped on his horse Areion. According to Philochorus, his life was preserved by the inhabitants of the village ; in consequence of which they obtained among the Argives the right of citi- zenship. 12. On going from Thebes to Argos, 3 on the left hand is Tanagra ; and [near the road] on the right lies Hyria. Hyria now belongs to the Tanagrian territory, but formerly to the Thebais. Here Hyrieus is fabled to have lived, and here is the scene of the birth of Orion, which Pindar mentions in the dithyrambics. It is situated near Aulis. Some persons say that Hysiae is called Hyria, which belongs to Parasopia, situ- ated below Cithaeron, near Erythraa, in the inland parts ; it is a colony of the Hyrienses, and was founded by Nycteus, the father of Antiope. There is also in the Argive territory a village, Hysise, the inhabitants of which are called Hysiatae. Erythrae in Ionia is a colony of this Erythrae. 1 Argyrokastro. 2 The exact site of Harma is uncertain. Leake supposes it to have occupied the important pass on the road from Thebes to Chalcis, leading to the maritime plain. Pausanias, b. ix. ch. 19, says that it obtained its name from the chariot of Amphiaraus having disappeared there. 3 We should perhaps read Harma, says Kramer; but in that case Tanagra of Bceotia would be upon the right hand. The reading Argos is a manifest error, and the whole passage is corrupt.