Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/317

 B. xii. c. ITI. 36, 37. PONTUS. 309 the parents prevailed upon Dyteutus to yield to the younger, assigning as a reason, that the eldest would be a better person to protect his mother and his remaining brother. The younger was put to death together with his father ; the elder was saved, arid obtained this office. When Caesar was informed of the execution of these persons, he regretted it, and, considering the survivors worthy of his favour and protection, bestowed upon them this honourable appointment. 36. Comana is populous, and is a considerable mart, fre- quented by persons coming from Armenia. Men and women assemble there from all quarters from the cities and the country to celebrate the festival at the time of the exodi or processions of the goddess. Some persons under the obligation of a vow are always residing there, and perform sacrifices in honour of the goddess. The inhabitants are voluptuous in their mode of life. All their property is planted with vines, and there is a multitude of women, who make a gain of their persons, most of whom are dedicated to the goddess. The city is almost a little Corinth. On account of the multitude of harlots at Corinth, who are dedicated to Venus, and attracted by the festivities of the place, strangers resorted thither in great numbers. Mer- chants and soldiers were quite ruined, so that hence the pro- verb originated, " every man cannot go to Corinth." Such is the character of Comana. 37. All the country around is subject to Pythodoris, and she possesses also Phanarrea, the Zelitis, and the Megalopolitis. We have already spoken of Phanaroea. In the district Zelitis is the city Zela, 1 built upon the mound of Semiramis. It contains the temple of Anaitis, whom the Armenians also worship. Sacrifices are performed with more pomp than in other places, and all the people of Pontus take oaths here in affairs of highest concern. The multitude of the sacred menials, and the honours conferred upon the priests, were in the time of the kings, upon the plan which I have before described. At present, however, everything is under the power of Pythodoris, but many persons had previ- ously reduced the number of the sacred attendants, injured the property and diminished the revenue belonging to the 1 Zileh. tne p