Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/147

 B. ix. c. v. 15. THESSALY. 139 " the Ass of Antron." Next are Pteleum and Halus ; next the temple of Ceres, and Pyrasus in ruins ; above these, Thebae ; then Pyrrha, a promontory, and two small islands near, one of which is called Pyrrha, the other Deucalion. Somewhere here ends the territory of Phthiotis. 15. The poet next mentions the people under Eumelus, and the continuous tract of coast which now belongs to Magnesia, and the Pelasgiotis. Pherse is the termination of the Pelasgic plains towards Magnesia, which plains extend as far as Pelion, a distance of 160 stadia. Pagasse is the naval arsenal of Pherse, from which it is distant 90 stadia, and 20 from lolcus. lolcus has been razed from ancient times. It was from this place that Pelias despatched Jason and the ship Argo. Pagasee had its name, 1 according to mythologists, from the building of the ship Argo at this place. Others, with more probability, suppose that the name of the place was derived from the springs, (Tr/yya/,) which are very numerous and copious. Near it is Apheta3, (so named) as the starting-place 2 from which the Argonauts set off. lolcus is situated 7 stadia from Demetrias, overlooking the sea, Demetrias was founded by Demetrius Poliorcetes, who called it after his own name. It is situated between Nelia and Pagasae on the sea. He collected there the inhabit- ants of the neighbouring small cities, Nelia, Pagasaa, Orme- nium, and besides these, Rhizus, Sepias, Olizon, Brebe, and lolcus, which are at present villages belonging to Demetrias. For a long time it was a station for vessels, and a royal seat of the Macedonian kings. It had the command of Tempe, and of both the mountains Pelion and Ossa. At present its ex- tent of power is diminished, yet it still surpasses all the cities in Magnesia. The lake Boebeis 3 is near Pherae, 4 and approaches close to the extremities of Pelion and Magnesia. Boebe is a small place situated on the lake. As civil dissensions and usurpations reduced the flourish- ing condition of lolcus, formerly so powerful, so they affected PhersB in the same manner, which was raised to prosperity, and was destroyed by tyrants. Near Demetrias flows the Anaurus. The continuous line , to fasten. 2 atytTrjpiov, a starting-place. 3 Karlas. 4 Velestina.