Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/280

 272 STRABO CASAUB. 630. length as he has given it, and the breadth at one half, or a little more. Such then is the nature of the country of Armenia, and its power. 12. There exists an ancient account of the origin of this nation to the following effect. Armenus of Armenium, a Thes- salian city, which lies between Pherae and Larisa on the lake Boebe, accompanied Jason, as we have already said, in his ex- pedition into Armenia, and from Armenus the country had its name, according to Cyrsilus the Pharsalian and Medius the Larissean, persons who had accompanied the army of Alexander. Some of the followers of Armenus settled in Acilisene, which was formerly subject to the Sopheni ; others in the Syspiritis, and spread as far as Calachene and Adia- bene, beyond the borders of Armenia. The dress of the Armenian people is said to be of Thessa- lian origin ; such are the long tunics, which in tragedies are call- ed Thessalian ; they are fastened about the body with a girdle, and with a clasp on the shoulder. The tragedians, for they required some additional decoration of this kind, imitate the Thessalians in their attire. The Thessalians in particular, from wearing a long dress, (probably because they inhabit the most northerly and the coldest country in all Greece,) afford- ed the most appropriate subject of imitation to actors for their theatrical representations. The passion for riding and the care of horses characterize the Thessalians, and are common to Armenians and Medes. The Jasonia are evidence of the expedition of Jason : some of these memorials the sovereigns of the country restored, as Parmenio restored the temple of Jason at Abdera. 1 3. It is supposed that Armenus and his companions called the Araxes by this name on account of its resemblance to the Peneius, for the Peneius had the name of Araxes from bursting through Tempe, and rending (u7rapacu) Ossa from Olympus. The Araxes also in Armenia, descending from the mountains, is said to have spread itself in ancient times, and to have overflowed the plains, like a sea, having no outlet ; that Jason, in imitation of what is to be seen at Tempe, made the opening through which the water at present precipitates itself into the Caspian Sea; that upon this the Araxenian