Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/111

 B. ix. c. ii. 22-24. BCEOTIA. 103 which, the places stand, and thence it would be easy to perceive that the poet, when naming them, whether they were places of importance or otherwise, has observed no order. Indeed it would be difficult in the enumeration of so many places, obscure for the most part, and situated in the interior, to preserve a regular order. The sea-coast affords more convenient means of doing this ; the places there are better known, and the sea affords greater facilities for marking their position. We shall therefore endeavour to take our point of departure from the sea-coast, and without further discussion, shall follow the poet in his enumeration of places ; at the same time, taking from other sources whatever may prove useful to us, but which has been omitted by him. He begins from Hyria and Aulis, of which we have already spoken. 22. Schoenus l is a district of the Theban territory on the road to Anthedon, distant from Thebes about 50 stadia. A river of the name of Scho3nus flows through it. 23. Scolus 2 is a village belonging to the district of Paraso- pia situated at the foot of Cithaeron ; it is a rugged place, and scarcely habitable, hence the proverbial saying, " Neither go yourself, nor follow'any one going to Scolus." It is said that Pentheus was brought from thence, and torn in pieces. There was among the cities near Olynthus another of the name of Scolus. We have said that in the Heracleian Trachinia there was a village of the name of Parasopii, beside which runs a river Asopus, and that there is another river Asopus in Sicyonia, and that the country through which it flows is called Asopia. There are however other rivers of the same name. 24. The name of Eteonus was changed to that of Scar- phe, which belongs to Parasopia. [Parasopia belongs to the Thebais,] for the Asopus and the Ismenus flow through the plain in front of Thebes. There is the fountain Dirce, and also Potnise, where is laid the fable of Glaucus of Potnise, who was torn in pieces near the city by Potnian mares. The Cithseron 3 terminates not far from Thebes. The Asopus flows by it, and washes the foot of the mountain, and occa- sions the Parasopii to be distributed among several settle- ments, but all of these bodies of people are- subject to the 1 Morikios. a Kalyvi. 3 Mount Elatea.