Strabo, Geography (English) (XML Header) [genre: prose] [word count] [Str.]. | ||
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Next in order after Latium is Campania, which extends along the [Tyrrhenian] Sea; above it is Samnium, in the interior, extending as far as the Frentani and Daunii; and beyond are the Daunii, and the other nations as far as the Strait of Sicily. We shall in the first place speak of Campania. From Sinuessa [Note] to Misenum [Note] the coast forms a vast gulf; beyond this is another gulf still larger, which they name the Crater. [Note] It is enclosed by the two promontories of Misenum and the Athenæum. [Note] It is along the shores of these [two gulfs] that the whole of Campania is situated. This plain is fertile above all others, and entirely surrounded by fruitful hills and the mountains of the Samnites and Osci. Antiochus says that this country was formerly inhabited by the Opici, and that these were called Ausones. Polybius appears to consider these as two people, for he says that the Opici and Ausones inhabit the country around the Crater. [Note] Others, however, state that it was originally inhabited by Opici and Ausones, but was afterwards seized on by a nation of the Osci, who were driven out by the Cumæi, and these again by the Tyrrheni. Thus the possession of the plain was much disputed on account of its great fertility. [They add that the Tyrrheni] built there twelve cities, and named the metropolis Capua. But luxury having made them effeminate, in the same way that they had formerly been driven from the banks of the Po, they were now forced to abandon this country to the Samnites; who in their turn fell before the Romans. One proof of the fertility of this country is, that it produces the finest corn. I allude to the grain from which a groat is made superior to all kinds of rice, and to almost all other farinacious food. They say that some of the plains are cropped all the year round; twice with rye, the third time with
panic, and occasionally a fourth time with vegetables. It is likewise from hence that the Romans procure their finest wines, the Falernian, the Statanian, and the Calenian. That of Surrentum [Note] is now esteemed equal to these, it having been lately discovered that it can be kept to ripen. In addition to this, the whole country round Venafrum, bordering on the plains, is rich in olives.
5.4.4The maritime cities [of Campania], after Sinuessa, are
Liternum, [Note] where is the sepulchral monument of the first of
the two Scipios, surnamed Africanus; it was here that he
passed the last days of his life, having abandoned public
affairs in disgust at the intrigues of certain opponents. A
river of the same name [Note] flows by this city. In like manner
the Vulturnus bears the same name as the city [Note] founded
on it, which comes next in order: this river flows through
Venafrum [Note] and the midst of Campania. After these
[cities] comes Cumæ, [Note] the most ancient settlement [Note]
ants, and even violated their wives. Still, however, there remain numerous traces of the Grecian taste, their temples, and their laws. Some are of opinion that Cumæ was so called from τὰ κύματα, the waves, the sea-coast near it being rocky and exposed. These people have excellent fisheries. On the shores of this gulf there is a scrubby forest, extending over numerous acres of parched and sandy land. This they call the Gallinarian [Note] wood. It was there that the admirals of Sextus Pompeius assembled their gangs of pirates, at the time when he drew Sicily into revolt. [Note]
5.4.5Near to Cumæ is the promontory of Misenum, [Note] and
between them is the Acherusian Lake, [Note] which is a muddy estuary of the sea. Having doubled Misenum, you come to
a harbour at the very foot of the promontory. After this the
shore runs inland, forming a deeply indented bay, on which
are Baïæ and the hot springs, much used, both as a fashionable watering-place, and for the cure of diseases. Contiguous
to Baïæ is the Lucrine Lake, [Note]
tion of the entrance. These hills, now so beautifully culti-
vated were formerly covered with wild forests, gigantic and
impenetrable, which overshadowed the gulf, imparting a feeling
of superstitious awe. The inhabitants affirm that birds, flying
over the lake, fall into the water, [Note]
On them the Sun
Odys. xi. 15.
Deigns not to look with his beam-darting eye. [Note]
place. Such were the myths related by our ancestors. But now that the wood surrounding the Avernus has been cut down by Agrippa, the lands built upon, and a subterranean passage cut from Avernus to Cumæ, all these appear fables. Perhaps [Note] Cocceius, who made this subterranean passage, [Note] wished to follow the practice of the Kimmerians we have already described, or fancied that it was natural to this place that its roads should be made under-ground.
Strabo, Geography (English) (XML Header) [genre: prose] [word count] [Str.]. | ||
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