Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/35

 B. viii. c. in. 29. ELIS. PYLUS. 27 city. When they were engaged in dividing the booty, and in sacrificing, the Epeii, having assembled in multitudes, on the third day marched against them with an army of horse and foot, and encamped about Thryum, which is situated on the Alpheius. The Pylians were no sooner informed of this than they immediately set out to the relief of this place, and having passed the night on the river Minyeius near Arene, thence arrive at the Alpheius at noon. After sacrificing to the gods, and passing the night on the banks of the river, they imme- diately, in the morning, engaged in battle. The rout of the enemy was complete, and they did not desist from the pursuit and slaughter, till they came to Buprasium, " and the Olenian rock, where is a tumulus of Alesius, whence again Minerva repulsed the multitudes ; " ' and adds below, " but the Achfei Turned back their swift horses from Buprasium to Pylus." 29. From these verses how can it be supposed that Eleian or Messenian Pylus is meant. I say the Eleian, because when this was destroyed by Hercules, the country of the Epeii also was ravaged at the same time, that is, Eleia. How then could those, who were of the same tribe, and who had been plun- dered at that time, show such pride and insult to persons, who were suffering under the same injuries? How could they overrun and ravage their own country ? How could Augeas and Neleus be kings of the same people, and yet be mutual enemies ; for to Neleus " a great debt was owing at the divine Elis; four horses, which had won the prize ; they came with their chariots to contend for prizes ; they were about to run in the race for a tripod ; and Augeas, king of men, detained them there, but dismissed the charioteer." 2 If Neleus lived there, there Nestor also lived. Plow then were there "four chiefs of Eleians and Buprasians, with ten swift ships accompany- ing each, and with many Epeii embarked in them ? " The country also was divided into four parts, none of which was subject to Nestor, but those tribes were under his com- mand, " who lived at Pylus, and the pleasant Arene," and at the places that follow next as far as Messene. 1 II. xi. 756. 2 II. xi. 697.