Isidore of Seville: ETYMOLOGIARVM SIVE ORIGINVM LIBRI XX

[1] Terra est in media mundi regione posita, omnibus partibus caeli in modum centri aequali intervallo consistens; quae singulari numero totum orbem significat, plurali vero singulas partes. Cuius nomina diversa dat ratio; nam terra dicta a superiori parte, qua teritur; humus ab inferiori vel humida terra, ut sub mari; tellus autem, quia fructus eius tollimus; haec et Ops dicta, eo quod opem fert frugibus; eadem et arva, ab arando et colendo vocata.

[1] Earth is set in the middle region of the world, standing at an equal interval from all parts of the heaven in the manner of a center; which in the singular number signifies the whole orb, but in the plural the individual parts. Reason gives its diverse names; for it is called terra from the upper part, where it is worn; humus from the lower or moist earth, as under the sea; tellus, moreover, because we take up its fruits; this has also been called Ops, because it brings help to the crops; likewise also arva, named from plowing and cultivating.

[2] Proprie autem terra ad distinctionem aquae arida nuncupatur, sicut Scriptura ait (Genes.1,10): 'Quod vocaverit Deus terram aridam.' Naturalis enim proprietas siccitas est terris; nam ut humida sit, hoc aquarum affinitate sortitur. Cuius motum alii dicunt ventum esse in concavis eius, qui motus eam movet. Sallustius (Hist.2, fr. 28): 'Venti per cava terrae citatu rupti aliquot montes tumulique sedere.'

[2] Properly, however, the earth, in distinction from water, is denominated arid, just as Scripture says (Genes.1,10): 'that God called the arid land "earth".' For the natural property of the earth is siccity; for that it be moist, it obtains this through an affinity with waters. Some say its motion is a wind in its concavities, which motion moves it. Sallustius (Hist.2, fr. 28): 'Winds, burst by a rushing impulse through the cavities of the earth, made several mountains and hillocks settle.'

[3] Alii aquam dicunt genetalem in terris moveri, et eas simul concutere, sicut vas, ut dicit Lucretius (6,555). Alii SPOGGOEIDE terram volunt, cuius plerumque latentes ruinae superposita cuncta concutiunt. Terrae quoque hiatus aut motu aquae inferioris fit, aut crebris tonitruis, aut de concavis terrae erumpentibus ventis.

[3] Others say the generative water is moved within the lands, and shakes them at the same time like a vessel, as Lucretius says (6,555). Others would have the earth to be SPONGE-LIKE, whose for the most part hidden collapses shake all things set above. Also, an earth-gaping (chasm) comes about either by the motion of lower water, or by frequent thunderings, or by winds bursting forth from the concavities of the earth.

II. DE ORBE.

2. ON THE WORLD.

[1] Orbis a rotunditate circuli dictus, quia sicut rota est; unde brevis etiam rotella orbiculus appellatur. Vndique enim Oceanus circumfluens eius in circulo ambit fines. Divisus est autem trifarie: e quibus una pars Asia, altera Europa, tertia Africa nuncupatur.

[1] The orb is called from the rotundity of the circle, because it is like a wheel; whence even a little wheel is also called an orbicule. On all sides indeed the Ocean, flowing around, encircles its bounds in a circle. Moreover, it is divided threefold: of which one part is called Asia, another Europe, the third Africa.

[2] Quas tres partes orbis veteres non aequaliter diviserunt. Nam Asia a meridie per orientem usque ad septentrionem pervenit; Europa vero a septentrione usque ad occidentem; atque inde Africa ab occidente usque ad meridiem.

[2] The ancients did not divide the three parts of the orb equally. For Asia reaches from the meridian through the Orient up to the Septentrion; but Europe from the Septentrion up to the Occident; and thence Africa from the Occident up to the meridian.

[3] Vnde evidenter orbem dimidium duae tenent, Europa et Africa, alium vero dimidium sola Asia; sed ideo istae duae partes factae sunt, quia inter utramque ab Oceano mare Magnum ingreditur, quod eas intersecat. Quapropter si in duas partes orientis et occidentis orbem dividas, Asia erit in una, in altera vero Europa et Africa.

[3] Whence evidently two hold half the orb, Europe and Africa, while the other half Asia alone; but for this reason those two parts have been made, because between each of them the Great Sea enters from the Ocean, which intersects them. Wherefore, if you divide the orb into two parts of the east and of the west, Asia will be in the one, and in the other Europe and Africa.

III. DE ASIA.

3. ON ASIA.

[1] Asia ex nomine cuiusdam mulieris est appelata, quae apud antiquos imperium tenuit orientis. Haec in tertia orbis parte disposita, ab oriente ortu solis, a meridie Oceano, ab occiduo nostro mare finitur, a septentrione Maeotide lacu et Tanai fluvio terminatur. Habet autem provincias multas et regiones, quarum breviter nomina et situs expediam, sumpto initio a Paradiso.

[1] Asia is called from the name of a certain woman, who among the ancients held the imperium of the East. This, situated in the third part of the world, is bounded on the east by the rising of the sun, on the south by the Ocean, on the west by our sea, on the north it is terminated by the Maeotian lake and the river Tanais. It has moreover many provinces and regions, whose names and sites I will briefly set forth, taking the beginning from Paradise.

[2] Paradisus est locus in orientis partibus constitutus, cuius vocabularum ex Graeco in Latinum vertitur hortus: porro Hebraice Eden dicitur, quod in nostra lingua deliciae interpretatur. Quod utrumque iunctum facit hortum deliciarum; est enim omni genere ligni et pomiferarum arborum consitus, habens etiam et lignum vitae: non ibi frigus, non aestus, sed perpetua aeris temperies.

[2] Paradise is a place established in the parts of the east, whose vocable is translated from Greek into Latin as “garden”; moreover in Hebrew it is called Eden, which in our tongue is interpreted “delights.” Which both joined together makes “garden of delights”; for it is planted with every kind of wood and fruit-bearing trees, having also the tree of life: there is no cold there, no heat, but a perpetual temperateness of the air.

[3] E cuius medio fons prorumpens totum nemus inrigat, dividiturque in quattuor nascentia flumina. Cuius loci post peccatum hominis aditus interclusus est; septus est enim undique romphea flammea, id est muro igneo accinctus, ita ut eius cum caelo pene iungat incendium.

[3] And from its midst a fountain bursting forth irrigates the whole grove, and it is divided into four nascent rivers. The access to that place, after the sin of man, has been shut off; for it is hedged in on every side by a flaming rhomphaea, that is, girded with a fiery wall, in such a way that its conflagration almost joins with the sky.

[4] Cherubin quoque, id est angelorum praesidium, arcendis spiritibus malis super rompheae flagrantiam ordinatum est, ut homines flammae, angelos vero malos angeli submoveant, ne cui carni vel spiritui transgressionis aditus Paradisi pateat.

[4] Cherubim also, that is the presidium of angels, was ordained over the blaze of the rhomphaea for warding off evil spirits, so that the flames might drive away men, but angels drive away evil angels, lest the entrance of Paradise stand open to any flesh or spirit of transgression.

[5] India vocata ab Indo flumine, quo ex parte occidentali clauditur. Haec a meridiano mari porrecta usque ad ortum Solis, et ab septentrione usque ad montem Caucasum pervenit; habens gentes multas et oppida, insulam quoque Taprobanen gemmis et elephantis refertam, Chrysam et Argyren auro argentoque fecundas, Tilen quoque arboribus foliam numquam carentem.

[5] India, named from the Indus river, by which it is enclosed on the western side. This land, extended from the southern sea as far as the rising of the Sun, and on the north reaches as far as Mount Caucasus; having many peoples and towns, also the island Taprobane replete with gems and elephants, Chryse and Argyre fertile in gold and silver, and Thule as well never lacking foliage on its trees.

[6] Habet et fluvios Gangen et Indum et Hypanem inlustrantes Indos. Terra Indiae Favonii spiritu saluberrima in anno bis metit fruges: vice hiemis Etesias patitur. Gignit autem tincti coloris homines, elephantos ingentes, monoceron bestiam, psittacum avem, ebenum quoque lignum, et cinnamum et piper et calamum aromaticum.

[6] It also has rivers, the Ganges and the Indus and the Hypanis, making illustrious the Indians. The land of India, most salubrious by the spirit of Favonius, reaps its crops twice in the year: in place of winter it endures the Etesian winds. Moreover, it brings forth men of tinctured color, huge elephants, the monoceros beast, the psittacus bird, ebony wood as well, and cinnamon and pepper and aromatic calamus.

[7] Mittit et ebur, lapides quoque pretiosos: beryllos, chrysoprasos et adamantem, carbunculos, lychnites, margaritas et uniones, quibus nobilium feminarum ardet ambitio. Ibi sunt et montes aurei, quos adire propter dracones et gryphas et inmensorum hominum monstra inpossible est.

[7] It also sends ivory, and precious stones as well: beryls, chrysoprases and adamant, carbuncles, lychnites, pearls and unions, by which the ambition of noble women burns. There too are golden mountains, which it is impossible to approach on account of dragons and griffins and the monsters of immense men.

[8] Parthia ab Indiae finibus usque ad Mesopotamiam generaliter nominatur. Propter invictam enim Parthorum virtutem et Assyria et reliquae proximae regiones in eius nomen transierunt. Sunt enim in ea Aracusia, Parthia, Assyria, Media et Persida, quae regiones invicem sibi coniunctae initium ab Indo flumine sumunt, Tigri clauduntur, locis montuosis et asperioribus sitae, habentes fluvios Hydaspem et Arbem.

[8] Parthia is generally named from the borders of India up to Mesopotamia. For on account of the unconquered valor of the Parthians, both Assyria and the remaining neighboring regions have passed over into its name. For in it are Arachosia, Parthia, Assyria, Media, and Persis, which regions, joined to one another, take their beginning from the river Indus, are enclosed by the Tigris, set in mountainous and rather rugged places, having the rivers Hydaspes and Arbis.

Sunt enim inter se finibus suis discretae, nomina a propriis auctoribus ita trahentes.

For they are indeed separated from one another by their own boundaries, thus deriving their names from their proper authors.

[9] Aracusia ab oppido suo nuncupata. Parthiam Parthi ab Scythia venientes occupaverunt, eamque ex suo nomine vocaverunt. Huius a meridie Rubrum mare est, a septentrione Hyrcanum salum, ab occidui solis plaga Media.

[9] Aracusia is named from its own town. The Parthians, coming from Scythia, occupied Parthia and called it by their own name. On its south is the Red Sea, on the north the Hyrcanian Sea, on the quarter of the setting sun, Media.

Regna in ea decem et octo sunt, porrecta a Caspio litore usque ad terras Scytharum.

In it there are eighteen kingdoms, stretched from the Caspian shore as far as the lands of the Scythians.

[10] Assyria vocata ab Assur filio Sem, qui cam regionem post diluvium primus incoluit. Haec ab ortu Indiam, a meridie Mediam tangit, ab occiduo Tigrim, a septentrione montem Caucasum, ubi portae Caspiae sunt. In hac regione primus usus inventus est purpurae, inde primum crinium et corporum unguenta venerunt et odores, quibus Romanorum atque Graecorum effluxit luxuria.

[10] Assyria named from Assur, son of Shem, who first inhabited that region after the deluge. This on the east touches India, on the south Media, on the west the Tigris, on the north the Caucasus mountain, where the Caspian Gates are. In this region the first use of purple was discovered; from there first came unguents for hair and bodies and fragrances, by which the luxury of the Romans and the Greeks overflowed.

[11] Media et Persida a regibus Medo et Perso cognominatae, qui eas provincias bellando adgressi sunt. Ex quibus Media ab occasu transversa Parthia regna amplectitur, a septentrione Armenia circumdatur, ab ortu Caspios videt, a meridie Persidam. Huius terra Medicam arborem gignit, quam alia regio minime parturit.

[11] Media and Persia were eponymously named from the kings Medus and Perses, who set upon those provinces by waging war. Of these, Media, from the west, across, embraces the Parthian realms; on the north it is surrounded by Armenia; on the east it looks upon the Caspians; on the south, Persia. Its land produces the Median tree, which no other region bears at all.

Sunt autem Mediae duae, maior et minor.

There are, moreover, two Medias, the Major and the Minor.

[12] Persida tendens ab ortu usque ad Indos, ab occasu Rubrum mare habet, ab aquilone vero Mediam tangit, ab austro Carmaniam, quae Persidae adnectitur, quibus est Susa oppidum nobilissimum. In Persida primum orta est ars magica, ad quam Nebroth gigans post confusionem linguarum abiit, ibique Persas ignem colere docuit. Nam omnes in illis partibus solem colunt, qui ipsorum lingua El dicitur.

[12] Persia, stretching from the sunrise as far as the Indians, has on the west the Red Sea; on the north, indeed, it touches Media; on the south, Carmania, which is connected to Persia, in which is Susa, a most noble town. In Persia the magical art first arose, to which Nimrod the giant, after the confusion of tongues, went, and there he taught the Persians to worship fire. For all in those regions worship the sun, which in their language is called El.

[13] Mesopotamia Graecam etymologiam possidet, quod duobus fluviis ambiatur; nam ab oriente Tigrim habet, ab occiduo Euphraten. Incipit autem a septentrione inter montem Taurum et Caucasum; cuius a meridie sequitur Babylonia, deinde Chaldaea, novissime Arabia EUDUIMON.

[13] Mesopotamia possesses a Greek etymology, because it is surrounded by two rivers; for on the east it has the Tigris, on the west the Euphrates. It begins, moreover, in the north between Mount Taurus and the Caucasus; to its south follows Babylonia, then Chaldaea, and lastly Arabia EUDUIMON.

[14] Babyloniae regionis caput Babylon urbs est, a qua et nuncupata, tam nobilis ut Chaldaea et Assyria et Mesopotamia in eius nomen aliquando transierint.

[14] The head of the region of Babylonia is the city of Babylon, from which it is also named, so noble that Chaldaea and Assyria and Mesopotamia have at times passed into its name.

[15] Arabia appellata, id est sacra; hoc enim significare interpretatur; eo quod sit regio turifera, odores creans: hinc eam Graeci EUDAIMON, nostri beatam nominaverunt. In cuius saltibus et myrrha et cinnamum provenit: ibi nascitur avis phoenix, sardonyx gemma, et iris, molochites et paederota ibi invenitur. Ipsa est et Saba, appellata a filio Chus, qui nuncupatus est Saba.

[15] Arabia is so called, that is, sacred; for this is interpreted to signify it, because it is an incense-bearing region, creating odors: hence the Greeks have named it EUDAIMON, our people “blessed.” In whose wooded tracts both myrrh and cinnamon come forth: there the bird phoenix is born, the gem sardonyx, and iris, malachite, and paederota are found there. It is also Saba itself, named from the son of Cush, who was called Saba.

Haec autem angusto terrae tractu ad orientem versus ad Persicum sinum extenditur, cuius septentrionalia Chaldaea claudit, occasum sinus Arabicus.

This, moreover, extends by a narrow tract of land, turned toward the orient, to the Persian Gulf; its northern parts Chaldaea encloses, its west the Arabian Gulf.

[16] Syriam Syrus quidam perhibetur indigena a suo vocabulo nuncupasse. Haec ab oriente fluvio Euphrate, ab occasu mari nostro et Aegypto terminatur, tangens a septentrione Armeniam et Cappadociam, a meridie sinum Arabicum. Situs eius porrectus in inmensam longitudinem, in lato angustior.

[16] Syria is held to have been named by a certain native, Syrus, from his own appellation. It is bounded on the east by the river Euphrates, on the west by our sea and by Egypt, touching on the north Armenia and Cappadocia, and on the south the Arabian Gulf. Its site is stretched out into immense length, narrower in breadth.

[17] Habet autem in se provincias Commagenam, Phoeniciam et Palaestinam, cuius pars est Iudaea absque Sarracenos et Nabatheos. Commagena prima provincia Syriae a vocabulo Commagae urbis nuncupata, quae quondam ibi metropolis habebatur. Huius est a septentrione Armenia, ab ortu Mesopotamia, a meridie Syria, ab occasu mare Magnum.

[17] It has within it the provinces Commagene, Phoenicia, and Palestine, of which a part is Judaea, apart from the Saracens and the Nabataeans. Commagene, the first province of Syria, is named from the name of the city Commaga, which formerly was held there as the metropolis. Its boundaries are: to the north Armenia, to the east Mesopotamia, to the south Syria, to the west the Great Sea.

[18] Phoenix Cadmi frater de Thebis Aegyptiorum in Syriam profectus apud Sidonem regnavit, eamque provinciam ex suo nomine Phoeniciam appellavit. Ipsa est ubi est Tyrus, ad quem Esaias (23) loquitur. Habet autem ab oriente Arabiam, a meridie mare Rubrum.

[18] Phoenix, brother of Cadmus, having set out from Egyptian Thebes into Syria, ruled at Sidon, and appellated that province Phoenicia from his own name. This is where Tyre is, to which Isaiah (23) speaks. Moreover, it has Arabia on the east, and on the south the Red Sea.

[19] Palaestina provincia Philistim urbem metropolim habuit, quae nunc dicitur Ascalon, ex qua civitate omnis circa eam regio Palaestina est nuncupata. Huius ab oriente mare Rubrum occurrit, a meridiano latere Iudae excipitur, a septentrionali plaga Tyriorum finibus clauditur, ab occasu Aegyptio limite terminatur.

[19] The province Palestine had as its metropolis the city of the Philistines, which is now called Ascalon, from which city the whole region around it is named Palestine. On its east the Red Sea meets it, on the southern side it is received by Judea, on the northern quarter it is enclosed by the boundaries of the Tyrians, on the west it is terminated by the Egyptian limit.

[20] Iudaea regio Palaestinaeex nomine Iudae appellata, ex cuius tribu reges habuit. Haec prius Chanaan dicta a filio Cham, sive a decem Chananaeorum gentibus, quibus expulsis eandem terram Iudaei possiderunt. Initium longitudinis eius a vico Arfa usque ad vicum Iuliadem porrigitur, in quo Iudaeorum pariter ac Tyriorum communis habitatio est.

[20] Judaea, a region of Palestine, appellated from Judah, from whose tribe it had kings. This was earlier styled Canaan from the son Cham (Ham), or from the ten Canaanite nations; these being expelled, the Jews possessed the same land. Its length begins from the village Arfa and extends to the village Iuliade, in which there is a common habitation of Jews and Tyrians alike.

Latitudo autem eius a monte Libani usque ad Tiberiadis lacum extenditur.

But its breadth extends from Mount Lebanon to the Lake of Tiberias.

[21] In medio autem Iudaeae civitas Hierosolyma est, quasi umbilicus regionis totius. Terra variarum opum dives, frugibus fertilis, aquis inlustris, opima balsamis. Vnde secundum elementorum gratiam existimaverunt Iudaei eam promissam patribus terram fluentem mel et lac, cum hic illis Deus resurrectionis praerogativam polliceretur.

[21] In the midst, moreover, of Judea is the city Jerusalem, as if the umbilicus of the whole region. A land rich in manifold opulence, fertile in fruits, illustrious in waters, opulent in balsams. Whence, according to the favor of the elements, the Jews judged it the land promised to the fathers, flowing with honey and milk, since here God was promising to them the prerogative of resurrection.

[22] Samaria regio Palaestinae ab oppido quodam nomen accepit qui vocabatur Samaria, civitas quondam regalis in Israel, quae nunc ab Augusti nomine Sebastia nuncupatur. Haec regio inter Iudaeam et Galilaeam media iacet, incipiens a vico cui nomen est Eleas, deficiens in terra Agrabath. Situs eius natura consimili nec ullo differens a Iudaea.

[22] The region of Samaria in Palestine received its name from a certain town which was called Samaria, a city once royal in Israel, which now, from the name of Augustus, is called Sebastia. This region lies in the middle between Judaea and Galilee, beginning from a village whose name is Eleas, ending in the land of Agrabath. Its site is of similar nature and in no way different from Judaea.

[23] Galilaea regio Palaestinae vocata quod gignat candidiores homines quam Palaestina. Haec autem duplex est, superior et inferior, sibi tamen conexae, Syriae et Phoeniciae adhaerentes. Terra earum opima et ferax et fructibus satis fecunda.

[23] Galilee, a region of Palestine, so called because it begets men fairer than Palestine. This, moreover, is twofold, Upper and Lower, yet connected to one another, adjoining Syria and Phoenicia. Their land is rich and fertile and quite abundant in fruits.

[24] Pentapolis regio in confinio Arabiae et Palaestinae sita, dicta a quinque civitatibus inpiorum quae caelesti igne consumptae sunt. Terra amplius ab Hierosolymis olim uberrima, nunc autem deserta atque exusta; nam pro scelere incolarum de caelo descendit ignis, qui regionem illam in cineres aeternos dissolvit.

[24] The Pentapolis, a region situated on the confines of Arabia and Palestine, named from the five cities of the impious which were consumed by celestial fire. The land, farther from Jerusalem, was once most fertile, but now is deserted and burnt; for, on account of the crime of the inhabitants, fire descended from heaven, which dissolved that region into eternal ashes.

[25] Cuius umbra quaedam et species in favillis et arboribus ipsis etiam adhuc videtur. Nascuntur enim ibi poma virentia sub tanta specie maturitatis, ut edendi desiderium gignant; si carpas fatiscunt ac resolvuntur in cinerem, fumumque exhalant quasi adhuc ardeant.

[25] A certain shadow and semblance of it is still even seen in the cinders and in the very trees. For green apples grow there under so great an appearance of ripeness that they generate a desire for eating; if you pluck them, they gape and are dissolved into ash, and exhale smoke as if they were still burning.

[26] Nabathea regio a Nabeth filio Ismael nuncupata. Iacet autem inter Iudaeam et Arabiam, et surgens ab Euphrate in mare Rubrum porrigitur, et est pars Arabiae.

[26] The Nabataean region, named from Nabeth, son of Ishmael. It lies between Judea and Arabia, and rising from the Euphrates it is extended into the Red Sea, and is a part of Arabia.

[27] Aegyptus, qui prius Aeria dicebatur, ab Aegypto Danai fratre postea ibi regnante nomen accepit. Haec ab oriente Syriae ac Rubro mari coniuncta, ab occasu Libyam habet, a septentrione mare Magnum, a meridie vero introrsus recedit, pertendens usque ad Aethiopas; regio caeli imbribus insueta et pluviarum ignara.

[27] Egypt, which previously was called Aeria, received its name from Aegyptus, the brother of Danaus, afterwards ruling there. Joined on the east to Syria and the Red Sea, it has Libya on the west, the Great Sea on the north, while on the south it draws back inward, stretching as far as the Ethiopians; a region unaccustomed to rains from the sky and ignorant of showers.

[28] Nilus solus eam circumfluens inrigat, et inundatione sua fecundat; unde et ferax frugibus multam partem terrarum frumento alit; ceterorum quoque negotiorum adeo copiosa ut inpleat necessariis mercibus etiam orbem terrarum. Finis Aegypti Canopea a Canope Menelai gubernatore, sepulto in ea insula quae Libyae principium et ostium Nili facit.

[28] The Nile alone, flowing around her, irrigates her, and by its inundation makes her fecund; whence, fertile in crops, she nourishes a great part of the lands with grain; so abundant also in other businesses that she even supplies the whole world with necessary merchandise. The boundary of Egypt is the Canopic [region], from Canopus, the helmsman of Menelaus, buried on that island which makes the beginning of Libya and the mouth of the Nile.

[29] Seres oppidum orientis, a quo et genus Sericum et regio nuncupata [est]. Haec ab Scythico Oceano et mari Caspio ad Oceanum orientalem inflectitur, nobilibus frondibus fertilis, e quibus vellera decerpuntur, quae ceterarum gentium Seres ad usum vestium vendunt.

[29] Seres, a town of the Orient, from which both the Seric race and the region have been named. This bends from the Scythian Ocean and the Caspian Sea to the Eastern Ocean, fertile in noble fronds, from which fleeces are plucked, which the Seres sell to the other nations for the use of clothing.

[30] Bactriae regionis proprius amnis Bactros vocabulum dedit. Partes huius quae pone sunt Propanisi iugis ambiuntur, quae adversae sunt Indi fluvii fontibus terminantur; reliqua includit Ochus fluvius. Mittit Bactria fortissimos camelos numquam adterentes pedes.

[30] The proper river of the region of Bactria gave the appellation Bactros. The parts of it which are behind are encircled by the ridges of the Propanis; those which are opposite the sources of the river Indus are bounded; the remaining parts the river Ochus encloses. Bactria sends forth very strong camels, never wearing down their feet.

[31] Scythia sicut et Gothia a Magog filio Iaphet fertur cognominata. Cuius terra olim ingens fuit; nam ab oriente India, a septentrione per paludes Maeotides inter Danubium et Oceanum usque ad Germaniae fines porrigebatur. Postea vero minor effecta, a dextra orientis parte, qua Oceanus Sericus tenditur, usque ad mare Caspium, quod est ad occasum; dehinc a meridie usque ad Caucasi iugum deducta est, cui subiacet Hyrcania ab occasu habens pariter gentes multas, propter terrarum infecunditatem late vagantes.

[31] Scythia, as also Gothia, is said to have been surnamed from Magog, son of Japheth. Its land was once vast; for from the east it reached India, from the north through the Maeotic marshes, between the Danube and the Ocean, it was extended as far as the borders of Germany. Afterwards, however, being made smaller, it extends from the right-hand part of the east, where the Seric Ocean stretches, up to the Caspian Sea, which is toward the west; then from the south as far as the ridge of the Caucasus, beneath which lies Hyrcania on the west, likewise having many nations wandering widely on account of the infertility of the lands.

[32] Ex quibus quaedam agros incolunt, quaedam portentuosae ac truces carnibus humanis et eorum sanguine vivunt. Scythiae plures terrae sunt locupletes, inhabitabiles tamen plures; nam dum in plerisque locis auro et gemmis affluant, gryphorum inmanitate accessus hominum rarus est. Smaragdis autem optimis haec patria est: cyaneus quoque lapis et crystallus purissimus Scythiae est.

[32] Of whom some inhabit the fields, and some, portentous and truculent, live on human flesh and on their blood. In Scythia many lands are opulent, yet more are uninhabitable; for while in very many places they are affluent in gold and gems, by the savageness of the gryphons human access is rare. Moreover, this is the homeland of the finest emeralds; the cyan stone too, and the purest crystal, are of Scythia.

Habet et flumina magna Moschorum, Phasiden atque Araxen.

It also has the great rivers of the Moschi, the Phasis and the Araxes.

[33] Hyrcania dicta a silva Hyrcana, quae Scythiae subiacet, habens ab oriente mare Caspium, a meridie Armeniam, a septentrione Albaniam, ab occasu Iberiam. Est autem silvis aspera, copiosa inmanibus feris, tigribus pantherisque et pardis. De qua Vergilius (Aen. 4,367):

[33] Hyrcania, so called from the Hyrcanian forest, which lies beneath Scythia, having on the east the Caspian Sea, on the south Armenia, on the north Albania, on the west Iberia. Moreover, it is rough with forests, abundant in monstrous wild beasts, tigers, panthers, and leopards. About which Virgil (Aen. 4,367):

Hyrcanaeque admorunt ubera tigres.

And Hyrcanian tigresses have proffered their breasts.

[34] Albania a colore populi nuncupata, eo quod alba crine nascantur. Haec ab oriente sub mare Caspium surgens, per ora Oceani septentrionalis usque ad Maeotides paludes per deserta et inculta extenditur. Huic terrae canes ingentes sunt, tantaeque feritatis ut tauros premant, leones perimant.

[34] Albania is named from the color of the people, because they are born with white hair. This, rising from the east beneath the Caspian Sea, extends along the shores of the northern Ocean as far as the Maeotian marshes, through deserts and uncultivated tracts. In this land there are huge dogs, and of such ferocity that they overpower bulls and slay lions.

[35] Armenia nuncupata ab Armeno Iasonis Thessali comite, qui amisso rege Iasone collecta multitudine eius, quae passim vagabatur, Armeniam cepit, et ex suo nomine nuncupavit. Sita est autem inter Taurum et Caucasum a Cappadocia usque ad Caspium mare protensa, habens a septentrione Ceraunios montes, ex cuius collibus Tigris fluvius nascitur, et in cuius montibus arca post diluvium sedisse perhibetur. Duplex est autem Armenia, superior et inferior, sicut duae Pannoniae.

[35] Armenia is named from Armenus, the companion of Jason the Thessalian, who, after the king Jason was lost, having gathered a multitude of his people who were wandering everywhere, seized Armenia and named it from his own name. It is situated between Taurus and Caucasus, stretched from Cappadocia as far as the Caspian Sea, having on the north the Ceraunian mountains, from whose hills the river Tigris is born, and on whose mountains the ark is said to have sat after the deluge. Armenia is, moreover, twofold, Upper and Lower, just as the two Pannonias.

[36] Hiberia regio Asiae est, prope Pontum Armeniae iuncta. In hac herbae tincturae utiles nascuntur. Cappadociam urbs propria nominavit.

[36] Iberia is a region of Asia, near the Pontus, conjoined to Armenia. In it grow herbs useful for tincture. A proper city of its own is named Cappadocia.

[37] Haec in capite Syriae sita ab oriente Armeniam tangit, ab occasu Asiam minorem, ab aquilone mare Cimmericum et Themiscyrios campos, quos habuere Amazones; a meridie vero Taurum montem, cui subiacet Cilicia et Isauria usque ad Cilicium sinum, qui spectat contra insulam Cyprum. Terra eius ante alias nutrix equorum. Halys amnis per eam fluit, qui quondam Lydiae regna disiunxit a Persis.

[37] This, situated at the head of Syria, touches Armenia on the east, Asia Minor on the west, on the north the Cimmerian sea and the Themiscyrian fields, which the Amazons held; but on the south the Taurus mountain, beneath which lie Cilicia and Isauria as far as the Gulf of Cilicia, which faces toward the island Cyprus. Its land, before others, is a nurse of horses. The river Halys flows through it, which once separated the kingdoms of Lydia from the Persians.

[38] Asia minor ab oriente Cappadocia cingitur, ab aliis partibus undique mare circumdatur; nam a septentrione pontum Euxinum habet, ab occasu Propontidem, a meridie Aegyptium mare. Habet provincias Bithyniam, Phrygiam, Galatiam, Lydiam, Cariam, Pamphyliam, Isauriam, Lyciam atque Ciliciam.

[38] Asia Minor is girded on the east by Cappadocia, on the other sides it is on all sides surrounded by the sea; for to the north it has the Pontus Euxinus, to the west the Propontis, to the south the Egyptian Sea. It has the provinces Bithynia, Phrygia, Galatia, Lydia, Caria, Pamphylia, Isauria, Lycia, and Cilicia.

[39] Prima Asiae minoris Bithynia in Ponti exordio ad partem solis orientis adversa Thraciae iacet, multis antea nominibus appellata. Nam prius Bebrycia dicta, deinde Mygdonia, mox a Bithyno rege Bithynia nuncupata. Ipsa est et maior Phrygia.

[39] First of Asia Minor, Bithynia lies at the beginning of the Pontus, toward the part of the rising sun, opposite Thrace, having been called by many names before. For earlier it was called Bebrycia, then Mygdonia, soon after named Bithynia from King Bithynus. This is also Greater Phrygia.

Nicomedia urbs in ea est, ubi Hannibal fugiens veneni haustu animam exspiravit.

Nicomedia is a city within it, where Hannibal, fleeing, breathed out his life by a draught of poison.

[40] Galatia dicta a priscis Gallorum gentibus, a quibus extitit occupata. Nam Galli in auxilium a rege Bithyniae evocati, regnum cum eo parta victoria diviserunt, sicque deinde Graecis admixti primum Gallograeci, nunc ex antiquo Gallorum nomine Galatae dicuntur; et eorum regio Galatia nuncupatur.

[40] Galatia is named from the ancient tribes of the Gauls, by whom it came to be occupied. For the Gauls, summoned to aid by the king of Bithynia, after a victory achieved divided the kingdom with him; and thus thereafter, mixed with the Greeks, they were first called Gallo-Greeks, now from the ancient name of the Gauls they are called Galatians; and their region is called Galatia.

[41] Phrygia dicta a Phrygia Europis filia. Haec et Dardania a Dardano Iovis filio dicta. De quo Homerus ait (cf. Il. 20,215):

[41] Phrygia is said to be named from Phrygia, daughter of Europa. This land too is called Dardania, from Dardanus, son of Jove. About him Homer says (cf. Il. 20,215):

Quem primum genuit caelesti Iuppiter arce.

Whom Jupiter first begot in the celestial citadel.

Hic enim profectus de Corytho civitate primus venit in Phrygiam. Est autem regio Troadi superiecta ab Aquilonis parte Galatiae; a meridiana vicina est Lycaoniae; ab oriente Lydiae adhaeret; ab occidente Hellesponto mari terminatur. Huius regio Troia est, quam ex suo nomine appellavit Tros, Troianorum rex, Ganymedis pater.

For he, having set out from the city Corythus, first came into Phrygia. Moreover, it is a region superposed over the Troad; on the side of Aquilon it is Galatia; on the southern it is neighboring to Lycaonia; on the eastern it adjoins Lydia; on the western it is bounded by the Hellespontine sea. Its region is Troy, which Tros, king of the Trojans, father of Ganymedes, appellated from his own name.

Duae sunt autem Phrygiae: maior et minor. Maior Phrygia Smyrnam habet, minor vero Ilium.

There are, moreover, two Phrygias: the greater and the lesser. The greater Phrygia has Smyrna, but the lesser indeed Ilium.

[42] Lycaonia Š Cariam Hermus fluvius discernit a Phrygia.

[42] The river Hermus separates Lycaonia and Caria from Phrygia.

[43] Lydia sedes antiqua regnorum, quam Pactoli unda extulit in divitias torrentibus aureis. Haec antea Maeonia dicebatur, quae dum pro brevitate duos fratres reges Lydum et Tyrrhenum ferre non posset, hinc ex sorte Tyrrhenus cum ingenti multitudine profectus loca Galliae occupavit, et Tyrrheniam nominavit. Lydia autem a Lydo regis fratre, qui in provincia remanserat, cognominata est.

[43] Lydia, the ancient seat of kingdoms, which the wave of the Pactolus lifted into riches with golden torrents. This was formerly called Maeonia, which, since by its smallness it could not bear two brother-kings, Lydus and Tyrrhenus, hence, by lot, Tyrrhenus, having set out with an enormous multitude, occupied places of Gaul and named them Tyrrhenia. But Lydia was surnamed from Lydus, the king’s brother, who had remained in the province.

Coniungitur autem ab occidente minori Phrygiae, ab ortu Smyrnam urbem habet, quam Helles fluvius cingit; cuius campos Pactolus et Hermus circumfluunt, arenis aureis ditissimi. Pamphylia.

It is conjoined on the west with Lesser Phrygia, on the east it has the city Smyrna, which the river Helles girds; whose fields the Pactolus and the Hermus flow around, most rich in golden sands. Pamphylia.

[44] Isauria ex situ loci perhibetur cognominata, quod undique aperta aurarum flatibus pateat. Metropolim urbem Seleuciam habet.

[44] Isauria is reported to have been named from the site of the place, because on all sides it lies open to the breaths of the breezes. It has Seleucia as its metropolis city.

[45] Cilicia a Cilice quodam nomen traxit, quem ortum Phoenice dicunt, antiquioremque Iove fuisse adserunt. Plurima iacet campis, recipiens ab occiduo Lyciam, a meridie mare Issicum, a tergo montis Tauri iuga. Hanc Cydnus amnis intersecat.

[45] Cilicia drew its name from a certain Cilix, whom they say was born in Phoenicia, and they assert to have been more ancient than Jove. For the most part it lies in plains, receiving on the west Lycia, on the south the Issic sea, and at its back the ridges of Mount Taurus. The river Cydnus cuts through it.

Matrem urbium habet Tarsum. In ea et Corycus oppidum est, unde crocum plurimum et optimum venit, spiramine fraglantiori et colore plus aureo.

It has Tarsus as the mother of cities (metropolis). In it there is also the town of Corycus, whence the most and best saffron comes, with a more fragrant exhalation and a more golden color.

[46] Lycia nuncupata quod ab oriente adiuncta Ciliciae sit. Nam habet ab ortu Ciliciam, ab occasu et meridie mare, a septentrione Cariam. Ibi est mons Chimaera, qui nocturnis aestibus ignem exhalat: sicut in Sicilia Aetna et Vesuvius in Campania.

[46] Lycia is denominated thus because it is adjoined to Cilicia on the east. For it has on the Orient Cilicia, on the Occident and the south the sea, on the north Caria. There is Mount Chimaera, which with nocturnal heats exhales fire: just as in Sicily Aetna and Vesuvius in Campania.

IV. DE EVROPA.

4. ON EUROPE.

[1] Post Asiam ad Europam stilum vertendum. Europa quippe Agenoris regis Libyae filia fuit, quam Iovis ab Africa raptam Cretam advexit, et partem tertiam orbis ex eius nomine appellavit. Iste est autem Agenor Libyae filius, ex qua et Libya, id est Africa, fertur cognominata; unde apparet prius Libyam accepisse vocabulum, postea Europam.

[1] After Asia, the stylus must be turned to Europe. For Europa was the daughter of Agenor, king of Libya, whom Jove, abducted from Africa, conveyed to Crete, and he appellated the third part of the world from her name. Now this Agenor is the son of Libya, from whom Libya too, that is Africa, is said to have been cognominated; whence it appears that Libya first received the appellation, and afterward Europe.

[2] Europa autem in tertiam partem orbis divisa incipit a flumine Tanai, descendens ad occasum per septentrionalem Oceanum usque in fines Hispaniae; cuius pars orientalis et meridiana a Ponto consurgens, tota mari Magno coniungitur, et in insulas Gades finitur.

[2] Europe, however, divided as the third part of the world, begins from the river Tanais, descending to the west along the northern Ocean as far as the bounds of Hispania; whose eastern and southern part, rising from the Pontus, is wholly joined to the Great Sea, and is bounded at the islands of Gades.

[3] Prima Europae regio Scythia inferior, quae a Maeotidis paludibus incipiens inter Danubium et Oceanum septentrionalem usque ad Germaniam porrigitur; quae terra generaliter propter barbaras gentes, quibus inhabitatur, Barbarica dicitur. Huius pars prima Alania est, quae ad Maeotidis paludes pertingit; post hanc Dacia, ubi et Gothia; deinde Germania, ubi plurimam partem Suevi incoluerunt.

[3] The first region of Europe is Lower Scythia, which, beginning from the marshes of Maeotis, extends between the Danube and the northern Ocean as far as Germany; which land, generally, on account of the barbarian nations by which it is inhabited, is called Barbarica. The first part of this is Alania, which reaches to the marshes of Maeotis; after this Dacia, where also is Gothia; then Germany, where the Suebi inhabited for the most part.

[4] Germania post Scythiam inferiorem a Danubio inter Rhenum fluvium Oceanumque conclusa cingitur a septentrione et occasu Oceano, ab ortu vero Danubio, a meridie Rheno flumine dirimitur. Terra dives virum ac populis numerosis et inmanibus; unde et propter fecunditatem gignendorum populorum Germania dicta est. Gignit aves Hyrcanias, quarum pinnae nocte perlucent; bisontes quoque feras et uros atque alces parturit.

[4] Germany, after Lower Scythia, from the Danube, enclosed between the river Rhine and the Ocean, is girded on the north and the west by the Ocean, indeed on the east by the Danube, and on the south it is separated by the river Rhine. A land rich in men and in peoples numerous and immense; whence also, on account of the fecundity of engendering peoples, it is called Germania. It produces Hyrcanian birds, whose feathers shine through at night; it also brings forth wild bisons and aurochs and elks.

Mittit et gemmas, crystallum et sucinum, callaicum quoque viridem, et ceraunium candidum. Duae sunt autem Germaniae: superior iuxta septentrionalem Oceanum, inferior circa Rhenum.

It sends also gems, crystal and amber, the Callaic green as well, and the white ceraunium. Moreover, there are two Germanies: the upper next to the northern Ocean, the lower around the Rhine.

[5] Provincias autem quas Danubius a Barbarico ad Mediterraneum mare secludit: prima est Moesia, a messium proventu vocata; unde et eam veteres Cereris horreum nuncupabant. Haec autem ab oriente ostiis Danubii iungitur, ab Euro vero Thraciae, a meridie Macedoniae, ab occasu Histriae copulatur. Post Moesiam autem Pannonia est.

[5] Now the provinces which the Danube secludes from the Barbaricum to the Mediterranean Sea: the first is Moesia, named from the yield of harvests; whence also the ancients used to call it the granary of Ceres. This, moreover, on the east is joined to the mouths of the Danube, on the southeast to Thrace, on the south to Macedonia, on the west it is coupled to Histria. After Moesia, moreover, is Pannonia.

Inde Noricus ager frigidus et parcius fructuosus. Post quem Raeticus frugibus ferax, qui excipit Galliam Belgicam.

Thence the Noric land, cold and more sparingly fruitful. After which the Raetian, fertile in crops, which adjoins Belgic Gaul.

[6] Thraciae Thiras Iaphet filius veniens nomen dedisse perhibetur: alii a saevitia incolarum Thraciam appellatam dixerunt. Huic ab oriente Propontis et urbs Constantinopolis opposita est, a septentrione vero Ister obtenditur, a meridie vero Aegeo mari adhaeret, ab occasu Macedonia illi subiacet. Cuius regionem olim Bessorum populus Massagetae, Sarmatae, Scythae et aliae plurimae nationes incoluerunt; ampla est enim, ideoque plurimas continuit gentes.

[6] Thrace is held to have received its name from Thiras, son of Japheth, upon his coming; others said that it was called Thrace from the savagery of the inhabitants. To it on the east the Propontis and the city of Constantinople are set opposite; on the north indeed the Ister (Danube) is extended; on the south it adjoins the Aegean Sea; on the west Macedonia lies beneath it. Its region in former times the people of the Bessi, the Massagetae, the Sarmatians, the Scythians, and many other nations inhabited; for it is ample, and therefore has contained very many nations.

Ebrum fluvium Thracia fundit, qui etiam gentes barbarorum plurimas tangit.

Thrace pours forth the river Hebrus, which also touches very many nations of barbarians.

[7] Graecia a Graeco rege vocata, qui cunctam eam regionem regno incoluit. Sunt autem provinciae Graeciae septem: quarum prima ab occidente Dalmatia, inde Epirus, inde Hellas, inde Thessalia, inde Macedonia, inde Achaia, et duae in mari, Creta et Cyclades. Illyricus autem generaliter omnis Graecia.

[7] Greece was named from a Greek king, who inhabited and ruled that whole region with his kingdom. Now the provinces of Greece are seven: of which the first from the west is Dalmatia, then Epirus, then Hellas, then Thessaly, then Macedonia, then Achaia, and two in the sea, Crete and the Cyclades. Illyricum, however, is generally the whole of Greece.

[8] Dalmatia a Delmi maxima eiusdem provinciae civitate traxisse nomen existimatur. Adhaeret autem ab oriente Macedoniae, a septentrione Moesiae, ab occasu Histria terminatur, a meridie vero Adriatico sinu clauditur. Epirus a Pyrrho Achillis filio cognominata.

[8] Dalmatia is thought to have drawn its name from Delmi, the greatest city of that same province. It adheres on the east to Macedonia; on the north it is bounded by Moesia; on the west it is terminated by Histria; and on the south it is enclosed by the Adriatic gulf. Epirus is named after Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles.

[9] Cuius pars Chaonia, quae antea Molosia dicta est, a Moloso filio Pyrrhi quem de Andromacha habuit. Sed postquam occisus est Pyrrhus Orestis insidiis, Andromacham Helenus suscepit tenuitque regnum privigni qui successerat patri; a quo Molosia dicta est pars Epiri, quam Helenus postea a fratre Chaone, quem in venatu per ignorantiam dicitur occidisse, Chaoniam nominavit, quasi ad solacium fratris extincti.

[9] A part of it is Chaonia, which earlier was called Molossia, from Molossus, the son of Pyrrhus, whom he had by Andromache. But after Pyrrhus was slain by the plots of Orestes, Helenus took up Andromache and held the kingdom of his stepson, who had succeeded his father; from whom the part of Epirus was called Molossia. That region Helenus afterward named Chaonia from his brother Chaon, whom he is said to have killed in the hunt through ignorance, as it were for the solace of the extinguished brother.

[10] Hellas dicta a rege Hellene, Deucalionis et Pyrrhae filio, a quo et prius Graeci Hellenes nuncupati sunt. Ipsa est et Attica terra Acte prius dicta. Nam Granus quidam Graeciae indigena fuit, ex cuius filia Attis nomine Attica terra vocata est.

[10] Hellas was called from King Hellen, son of Deucalion and Pyrrha, from whom also earlier the Greeks were appellated Hellenes. The Attic land itself is the same, formerly called Acte. For a certain Granus was an indigene of Greece, from whose daughter, by the name Attis, the land Attica was named.

Haec inter Macedoniam et Achaiam media iacet, Arcadiae a septentrionali parte coniuncta. Ipsa est et vera Graecia, ubi fuit Athenae civitas, mater liberalium litterarum et philosophorum nutrix, qua nihil habuit Graecia clarius atque nobilius. In ea est et Marathonius campus opinione quondam proelii cruentissimus.

This lies in the middle between Macedonia and Achaia, joined to Arcadia on the northern side. It is also the true Greece, where there was the city of Athens, the mother of liberal letters and the nurse of philosophers, than which Greece had nothing more illustrious and more noble. In it too is the Marathonian plain, formerly by repute the most blood-soaked of battle.

[11] Helladis autem duae sunt provinciae: Boeotia et Peloponnensis. Boeotia autem dicta hac ex causa. Dum Cadmus Agenoris filius Europam sororem a Iove raptam ex praecepto genitoris quaereret nec reperiret, patris iram formidans confirmato animo elegit exilium.

[11] Of Hellas, however, there are two provinces: Boeotia and the Peloponnesus. Boeotia, moreover, is so called for this reason. While Cadmus, son of Agenor, was seeking, by his sire’s precept, his sister Europa, carried off by Jove, and did not find her, fearing his father’s wrath, with his spirit confirmed he chose exile.

Nam bovis forte conspectae secutus vestigia amplexus est sedem, ubi illa recubaverat, sicque locum de nomine bovis Boeotiam nominavit; ubi et Thebas urbem construxit, in qua olim civilia bella detonuerunt, et ubi nati sunt Apollo et Hercules maior ille Thebanus. Eadem est Aonia vocata, a fonte quodam Apollini et Musis consecrato, qui in eadem Boeotia est. Peloponnensis secunda pars Helladis a Pelope regnata atque vocata.

For, having by chance caught sight of a cow and following its footprints, he embraced the site where she had reclined, and thus he named the place Boeotia from the name of the cow; where also he constructed the city Thebes, in which once civil wars thundered forth, and where were born Apollo and Hercules, that greater Theban. The same is called Aonia, from a certain spring consecrated to Apollo and to the Muses, which is in the same Boeotia. The Peloponnensis, the second part of Hellas, was ruled by Pelops and was named after him.

[12] Thessalia a Thessalo rege cognominata, quae ad meridianam plagam Macedoniae coniuncta est, cuius a tergo Pieria est. Multa in Thessalia flumina [et civitates] et oppida, inter quae praecipue Thessalonica: ibi est et mons Parnasus quondam Apollini consecratus. Thessalia patria Achillis et origo Lapitharum fuit, de quibus fertur quod hi primo equos frenis domuerunt, unde et Centauri dicti sunt.

[12] Thessaly, surnamed from King Thessalus, which is contiguous with the southern quarter of Macedonia, at the back of which is Pieria. Many rivers [and cities] and towns are in Thessaly, among which especially Thessalonica: there too is Mount Parnassus, once consecrated to Apollo. Thessaly was the fatherland of Achilles and the origin of the Lapiths, of whom it is said that they first tamed horses with bridles, whence they were also called Centaurs.

In Thessalia primum solidi aurei facti sunt, domandorum quoque equorum usus primum repertus est.

In Thessaly gold solidi were first made, and the practice of taming horses also was first discovered.

[13] Macedoniae in exordio ab Emathio rege Emathiae nomen erat, sed Macedo Deucalionis maternus nepos, postquam ibi accepit principatum, mutavit vocabulum Macedoniamque a suo nomine dixit. Est autem confinis ab oriente Aegeo mari, a meridie Achaiae, ab occasu Dalmatiae, a septentrione Moesiae; patria Alexandri Magni, et regio aureis venis argentique opima. Lapidem quem paeaniten vocant ista gignit.

[13] In the beginning, Macedonia had the name Emathia from King Emathius, but Macedo, the maternal grandson of Deucalion, after he had received the principate there, changed the appellation and called it Macedonia from his own name. It is, moreover, conterminous on the east with the Aegean Sea, on the south with Achaia, on the west with Dalmatia, on the north with Moesia; the fatherland of Alexander the Great, and a region opulent in golden veins and in silver. It produces the stone which they call paeanites.

Mons Olympus in ea est, qui excellenti vertice tantus adtollitur ut in cacumine eius nec nubes nec venti sentiantur.

Mount Olympus is in it, which with an excellent summit is raised so high that on its peak neither clouds nor winds are perceived.

[14] Achaia ab Achaeo rege et urbs et provincia appellata. Haec pene insula est; nam absque septentrionali parte, qua Macedoniae iungitur, undique septa est mari. Ab oriente enim habet Myrteum mare, ab Euro Creticum, a meridie Ionium, ab Africo et occasu Cassiopas insulas, a sola septentrionali parte Macedoniae vel Atticae terrae adiungitur.

[14] Achaia, named from King Achaeus, is both a city and a province. This is almost an island; for except for the northern part, where it is joined to Macedonia, it is enclosed on all sides by the sea. On the east it has the Myrtoan Sea, on the Eurus side the Cretan, on the south the Ionian, on the Africus and the west the Cassiopae islands; on the northern side alone it is joined to the land of Macedonia or Attica.

Huius caput est urbs Corinthus Graeciae decus. Inachus est Achaiae fluvius.

Its capital is the city Corinth, the ornament of Greece. The Inachus is a river of Achaia.

[15] Arcadia vero sinus Achaiae est, ut platani folium inter Ionium et Aegeum mare exposita, quam Arcas, Iovis et Callisto filius, Pelasgis in dicionem redactis, ex suo nomine Arcadiam nuncupavit. Ipsa est et Sicyonia, a Sicyone rege, a quo et regnum Sicyoniorum est dictum. Habet autem Arcadia fluvium magnum Erimanthum; asbeston quoque lapidem, qui semel accensus numquam extinguitur: candidissimae etiam merulae ibi nascuntur.

[15] But Arcadia is a gulf of Achaia, like a plane-tree leaf set between the Ionian and the Aegean Sea, which Arcas, son of Jove and Callisto, the Pelasgians having been reduced into dominion, named Arcadia from his own name. Within it too is Sicyonia, from King Sicyon, from whom the realm of the Sicyonians is also said to be named. Moreover Arcadia has the great river Erimanthus; also the asbestos stone, which, once kindled, is never extinguished: there are born there even very white blackbirds.

[16] Lacedaemonia Š Pannonia ab Alpibus Appenninis est nuncupata, quibus ab Italia secernitur, regio viro fortis et solo laeta, duobus satis acribus fluviis, Dravo Savoque, vallata. Coniungitur autem cum Norico et Raetia; habentes ab oriente Moesiam, ab Euro Istriam; ab Africo vero Alpes Appenninos habent, ab occasu Galliam Belgicam, a septentrione Danubii fontem, vel limitem qui Germaniam Galliamque secernit.

[16] Lacedaemonia (i.e., Pannonia) is so named from the Apennine Alps, by which it is separated from Italy, a region strong in men and rich in soil, walled in by two quite sharp/rapid rivers, the Drava and the Sava. It is conjoined, moreover, with Noricum and Raetia; having on the east Moesia, on the Eurus side Istria; on the Africus side indeed the Apennine Alps, on the west Belgic Gaul, on the north the source of the Danube, or the boundary which separates Germany and Gaul.

[17] Istriam Ister amnis vocavit, qui eius terram influit. Ipse est Danubius. Habet autem Istria a septentrione Pannoniam.

[17] The river Ister called Istria, which flows into its land. It is the Danube. Moreover, Istria has on the north Pannonia.

[18] Italia olim a Graecis populis occupata Magna Graecia appellata est, deinde a regis nomine Saturnia; mox et Latium dicta eo quod idem Saturnus a Iove sedibus suis pulsus ibi latuerit; postremo ab Italo Siculorum rege ibi regnante Italia nuncupata est. Cuius situs longitudine amplius quam latitudine a Circio in Eurum extenditur, a meridie Tyrrheno mare, ab Aquilone Adriatico clauditur, ab occiduo Alpium iugis finitur, terra omnibus in rebus pulcherrima, soli fertilitate, pabuli ubertate gratissima.

[18] Italy, once occupied by Greek peoples, was called Magna Graecia, then, from the name of a king, Saturnia; soon also Latium, so called because that same Saturn, driven by Jove from his seats, lay hidden there; finally, from Italus, king of the Siculi reigning there, it was named Italia. Its site, longer than broad, extends from the Circius into the Eurus, is enclosed on the south by the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the north by the Adriatic, is bounded on the west by the ridges of the Alps, a land most beautiful in all things, most pleasing for the fertility of the soil and the abundance of fodder.

[19] Habet lacus Benacum, Avernum atque Lucrinum; fluvios Eridanum et Tiberim; et tepentes fontibus Baias. Gignit gemmas syrtitem, lyncurium et corallium; boam quoque serpentem, lyncem feram et Diomedias aves. Italia autem et Hispania idcirco Hesperiae dictae quod Graeci Hespero stella navigent et in Italia et in Hispania.

[19] It has the lakes Benacus, Avernus, and Lucrinus; the rivers Eridanus and the Tiber; and Baiae warm with springs. It produces gems—the syrtite, lyncurium, and coral; also the boa serpent, the wild lynx, and the Diomedean birds. Moreover Italy and Spain for that reason were called Hesperiae, because the Greeks sail by the star Hesperus both to Italy and to Spain.

Quae hac ratione discernuntur; aut enim Hesperiam solam dicis et significas Italiam, aut addis ultimam et significas Hispaniam, quia in occidentis est fine.

These are distinguished in this way: for either you say Hesperia alone and you signify Italy, or you add “the ultimate” and you signify Spain, because it is at the boundary of the Occident.

[20] Tuscia pars Italiae; Vmbria vero pars Tusciae. Tuscia autem a frequentia sacrorum et turis vocata, APO TOU THUAKSEIN.

[20] Tuscia is a part of Italy; Umbria indeed is a part of Tuscia. But Tuscia is named from the frequency of sacred rites and of frankincense, APO TOU THUAKSEIN.

[21] Vmbria vero, historiae narrant, eo quod tempore aquosae cladis imbribus superfuerit, et ob hoc OMBRIA Graece cognominata. Est enim in iugis Appennini montis sita, in parte Italiae iuxta meridiem.

[21] Umbria, moreover, the histories relate, because at the time of an aqueous calamity it survived the rains, and on account of this was cognominated in Greek OMBRIA. For it is situated on the ridges of the Apennine mountain, in the part of Italy toward the south.

[22] Etruria pars Italiae dicta quod eius fines tendebantur usque ad ripam Tiberis, quasi ETEROURIA. Nam ETERON significat alterum, OROS finis vocatur. Romae enim fines antea unam tantum Tiberis ripam tenebant.

[22] Etruria, a part of Italy, is said to be so called because its borders were stretched as far as the bank of the Tiber, as if ETEROURIA. For ETERON signifies “other,” OROS is called “boundary.” For the borders of Rome formerly held only one bank of the Tiber.

Alii Etruriam dictam ab Etrusco principe putant. Item et Tyrrhenia a Tyrrheno Lydi fratre, qui ex sorte cum populi parte de Maeonia venit ad Italiam. Haec est et Tuscia; sed Tusciam dicere non debemus; quia nusquam legimus.

Others think Etruria was named from the prince Etruscus. Likewise also Tyrrhenia from Tyrrhenus, the brother of Lydus, who by lot came with a part of the people from Maeonia to Italy. This is also Tuscia; but we ought not to say Tusciam; because we read it nowhere.

Tuscia autem a frequentia sacrificii et turis dicta, APO TOU THUSAI. Illic et aruspicinam dicunt esse repertam.

Tuscia, moreover, is said to be named from the frequency of sacrifice and of incense, APO TOU THUSAI. There too they say that haruspicy was discovered.

[23] Apulia [ubi Brundusium, quam Aetoli secuti Diomedem ducem condiderunt].

[23] Apulia [where is Brundusium, which the Aetolians, having followed Diomedes their leader, founded].

[24] Campania [habet terras hieme anni atque aestate vernantes. Sol ibi mitis, grata temperies, aer purus et blandus].

[24] Campania [has lands vernal in the winter of the year and in the summer. The sun there is mild, a pleasing temperateness, the air pure and pleasant].

[25] Gallia a candore populi nuncupata est; GALA enim Graece lac dicitur. Montes enim et rigor caeli ab ea parte solis ardorem excludunt, quo fit ut candor corporum non coloretur. Hanc ab oriente Alpium iuga tuentur, ab occasu Oceanus includit, a meridie praerupta Pyrenaei, a septentrione Rheni fluenta atque Germania; cuius initium Belgica, finis Aquitania est; regio gleba uberi ac pabulosa et ad usum animantium apta, fluminibus quoque et fontibus rigua, perfusa duobus magnis Rheno et Rhodano fluviis.

[25] Gaul is appellated from the whiteness of the people; for gala in Greek is called milk. For the mountains and the rigor of the sky from that quarter shut out the sun’s ardor, with the result that the whiteness of bodies is not colored. On the east the ridges of the Alps guard it, on the west the Ocean encloses it, on the south the precipitous Pyrenees, on the north the streams of the Rhine and Germany; whose beginning is Belgica, whose end is Aquitania; a region with glebe rich and pasture-abundant and apt for the use of living creatures, irrigated also by rivers and springs, bathed by two great rivers, the Rhine and the Rhone.

[26] Belgis autem civitas est Galliae, a quo Belgica provincia dicta [est]. Cisalpina, quia citra Alpes. Transalpina, id est trans Alpes, contra septentrionem.

[26] The Belgae, moreover, are a civitas of Gaul, from whom the province Belgica is said [to be]. Cisalpine, because on this side of the Alps. Transalpine, that is across the Alps, toward the north.

[27] Raetia vero, quod sit iuxta Rhenum. Aquitania autem ab obliquis aquis Ligeris fluminis appellata, qui ex plurima parte terminus eius est, eamque pene in orbem cingit.

[27] Raetia, indeed, because it is next to the Rhine. Aquitania, moreover, is appellated from the oblique waters of the river Liger, which for the greater part is its boundary, and almost girds it in an orb.

[28] Hispania prius ab Ibero amne Iberia nuncupata, postea ab Hispalo Hispania cognominata est. Ipsa est et vera Hesperia, ab Hespero stella occidentali dicta. Sita est autem inter Africam et Galliam, a septentrione Pyrenaeis montibus clausa, a reliquis partibus undique mare conclusa, salubritate caeli aequalis, omnium frugum generibus fecunda, gemmarum metallorumque copiis ditissima.

[28] Spain was earlier named Iberia from the river Iberus, later was surnamed Spain from Hispalus. It is itself also the true Hesperia, so called from Hesperus, the western star. It lies between Africa and Gaul, on the north shut in by the Pyrenean mountains, from the remaining sides on all sides enclosed by the sea, equable in the salubrity of its climate, fecund in all kinds of crops, and most wealthy in supplies of gems and metals.

[29] Interfluunt eam flumina magna: Baetis, Mineus, Iberus et Tagus aurum trahens, ut Pactolus. Habet provincias sex: Tarraconensem, Cartaginensem, Lusitaniam, Galliciam, Baeticam, et trans freta in regione Africae Tingitaniam.

[29] Great rivers flow through it: the Baetis, the Mineus, the Iberus, and the Tagus drawing gold, like the Pactolus. It has six provinces: Tarraconensis, Carthaginensis, Lusitania, Galicia, Baetica, and, across the straits in the region of Africa, Tingitania.

[30] Duae sunt autem Hispaniae: Citerior, quae in septentrionis plagam a Pyrenaeo usque ad Cartaginem porrigitur; Vlterior, quae in meridiem a Celtiberis usque ad Gaditanum fretum extenditur. Citerior autem et Vlterior dicta quasi citra et ultra; sed citra quasi circa terras, et ultra vel quod ultima vel quod non sit post hanc ulla, hoc est alia, terra.

[30] There are, moreover, two Spains: the Citerior, which in the quarter of the north stretches from the Pyrenees as far as Cartagena; the Ulterior, which to the south extends from the Celtiberians as far as the Gaditan Strait. Citerior and Ulterior are said as if “on this side” and “beyond”; but citra as if “around the lands,” and ultra either because it is the farthest, or because there is not after this any, that is, another, land.

V. DE LIBYA.

5. ON LIBYA.

[1] Libya dicta quod inde Libs flat, hoc est Africus. Alii aiunt Epaphum Iovis filium, qui Memphin in Aegypto condidit, ex Cassiopa uxore procreasse filiam Libyam, quae postea in Africa regnum possedit. Cuius ex nomine terra Libya est appellata.

[1] Libya is so called because from there the Libs blows, that is, the Africus. Others say that Epaphus, son of Jove, who founded Memphis in Egypt, from his wife Cassiope begot a daughter, Libya, who afterwards possessed a kingdom in Africa. From her name the land is called Libya.

[2] Africam autem nominatam quidam inde existimant, quasi apricam, quod sit aperta caelo vel soli et sine horrore frigoris. Alii dicunt Africam appellari ab uno ex posteris Abrahae de Cethura, qui vocatus est Afer, de quo supra (9,2,115) meminimus.

[2] But some think that Africa was named from this, as if aprica (“sunny”), because it is open to the sky or to the sun and without the shudder of cold. Others say Africa is called from one of the descendants of Abraham by Keturah, who was called Afer, of whom above (9,2,115) we have made mention.

[3] Incipit autem a finibus Aegypti pergens iuxta meridiem per Aethiopiam usque Athlantem montem. A septentrionali vero parte Mediterraneo mari coniuncta clauditur, et in Gaditano freto finitur, habens provincias Libyam Cyrenensem, Pentapolim, Tripolim, Byzacium, Carthaginem, Numidiam, Mauretaniam Sitifensem, Mauretaniam Tingitanam, et circa solis ardorem Aethiopiam.

[3] It begins from the borders of Egypt, proceeding along the south through Ethiopia as far as Mount Atlas. But on the northern side it is enclosed, being joined to the Mediterranean Sea, and it is bounded at the Gaditan Strait, having the provinces Libya Cyrenaica, the Pentapolis, Tripolis, Byzacium, Carthage, Numidia, Mauretania Sitifensis, Mauretania Tingitana, and, around the sun’s ardor, Ethiopia.

[4] Libya Cyrenensis in parte Africae prima est, a Cyrene urbe metropoli, quae est in eius finibus, nuncupata. Huic ab oriente Aegyptus est, ab occasu Syrtes maiores et Trogodytae, a septentrione mare Libycum, a meridie Aethiopia et barbarorum variae nationes et solitudines inaccessibiles, quae etiam basiliscos serpentes creant.

[4] Cyrenaic Libya is the first in the part of Africa, named from the city of Cyrene, the metropolis, which is within its borders. To it on the east is Egypt; on the west the Greater Syrtes and the Troglodytae; on the north the Libyan Sea; on the south Ethiopia and various nations of barbarians and inaccessible solitudes, which even produce basilisk serpents.

[5] Pentapolis Graeca lingua a quinque urbibus nuncupata: id est Berenice, Ceutria, Apollonia, Ptolomais, Cyrene; ex quibus Ptolomais et Berenice a regibus nominatae sunt. Est autem Pentapolis Libyae Cyrenensi adiuncta, et [in] eius finibus deputata.

[5] Pentapolis, in the Greek tongue, named from five cities: that is, Berenice, Ceutria, Apollonia, Ptolemais, Cyrene; of which Ptolemais and Berenice were named by kings. Moreover, the Pentapolis is adjoined to the Cyrenaic Libya, and [in] its borders assigned.

[6] Tripolitanam quoque provinciam Graeci lingua sua signant de numero trium magnarum urbium; Oeae, Sabratae, Leptis magnae. Haec habet ab oriente Syrtes maiores et Trogodytas, a septentrione mare Adriaticum, ab occasu Byzacium, a meridie Gaetulos et Garamantas usque ad Oceanum Aethiopicum pertendentes.

[6] The Greeks also designate the Tripolitan province by the number of three great cities; Oea, Sabrata, Great Leptis. This has on the east the Greater Syrtes and the Troglodytes, on the north the Adriatic Sea, on the west Byzacium, on the south the Gaetulians and the Garamantes, extending as far as the Ethiopic Ocean.

[7] Byzacena regio ex duobus nobilissimis oppidis nomen sortita est, ex quibus una Hadrumetum vocatur. Haec sub Tripoli est, patens passuum ducenta vel amplius milia, fecunda oleis, et glebis ita praepinguis ut iacta ibi semina incremento pene centesimae frugis renascantur.

[7] The region of Byzacena has drawn its name from two most noble towns, of which one is called Hadrumetum. This lies beneath Tripoli, extending two hundred miles or more, fertile in olives, and with soil so very rich that seeds cast there are reborn with an increment of nearly a hundredfold crop.

[8] Zeugis, ubi Carthago magna. Ipsa est et vera Africa inter Byzacium et Numidiam sita, a septentrione mari Siculo iuncta, et a meridie usque ad Gaetulorum regionem porrecta; cuius proxima quaeque frugifera sunt, ulteriora autem bestiis et serpentibus plena, atque onagris magnisin deserto vagantibus. Gaetulia autem Africae pars mediterranea est.

[8] Zeugis, where Carthage the Great is. This itself is the true Africa, situated between Byzacium and Numidia, joined on the north to the Sicilian sea, and on the south extended as far as the region of the Gaetulians; of which all the nearer parts are frugiferous, but the more remote are full of beasts and serpents, and with great onagers wandering in the desert. Gaetulia, moreover, is an inland part of Africa.

[9] Numidia ab incolis passim vagantibus sic vocata, quod nullam certam haberent sedem. Nam lingua eorum incertae sedes et vagae 'numidia' dicuntur. Incipit autem a flumine Amsiga,inZeugitanum limitem definit, habens ab ortu Syrtes minores, a septentrione mare quod intendit Sardiniam, ab occasu Mauretaniam Sitifensem, a meridie Aethiopum gentes: regio campis praepinguis.

[9] Numidia is thus named from the inhabitants wandering here and there, because they had no fixed seat. For in their language uncertain and wandering seats are called “numidia.” Moreover it begins from the river Amsiga,inZeugitanum boundary it defines, having on the east the Lesser Syrtes, on the north the sea which stretches toward Sardinia, on the west Mauretania Sitifensis, on the south the peoples of the Aethiopes: a region with very rich plains.

Vbi autem silvestris est, feras educat; ubi iugis ardua, equos et onagros procreat; eximio etiam marmore praedicatur, quod Numidicum dicitur. Habet autem urbes praecipuas: Hipponem, Regium et Rusicadam.

Where, however, it is sylvan, it rears wild beasts; where it is steep with ridges, it begets horses and onagers; it is also proclaimed for exceptional marble, which is called Numidian. Moreover, it has principal cities: Hippo, Regium, and Rusicada.

[10] Mauretania vocata a colore populorum; Graeci enim nigrum MAURON vocant. Sicut enim Gallia a candore populi, ita Mauretania a nigrore nomen sortita est. Cuius prima provincia Mauretania Sitifensis est, quae Sitifi habuit oppidum; a quo et vocabulum traxisse regio perhibetur.

[10] Mauretania is called from the color of the peoples; for the Greeks call black MAURON. Just as Gaul is from the whiteness of the people, so Mauretania has obtained its name from blackness. Its first province is Mauretania Sitifensis, which had the town of Sitifis; from which the region too is said to have drawn its appellation.

[11] Mauretania vero Caesariensis: coloniae Caesareae civitas fuit, et nomen provinciae ex ea datum. Vtraeque igitur provinciae sibi coniunctae ab oriente Numidiam habent, a septentrione mare Magnum, ab occasu flumen Malvam, a meridie montem Astrixin, qui discernit inter fecundam terram et harenas iacentes usque ad Oceanum.

[11] Mauretania, however, the Caesarean: the city of Caesarea was a colony, and the name of the province was given from it. Both provinces therefore, conjoined to each other, have Numidia on the east, on the north the Great Sea, on the west the river Malva, on the south the mountain Astrixis, which separates between the fertile land and the sands lying as far as the Ocean.

[12] Mauretania Tingitania a Tingi metropolitana huius provinciae civitate vocata est. Haec ultima Africae exsurgit a montibus septem, habens ab oriente flumen Malvam, a septentrione fretum Gaditanum, ab occiduo Oceanum Athlanticum, a meridie Gaulalum gentes usque ad Oceanum Hesperium pererrantes: regio gignens feras, simias, dracones et struthiones. Olim etiam et elephantis plena fuit, quos sola nunc India parturit.

[12] Mauretania Tingitana is named from Tingis, the metropolitan city of this province. This, the farthest part of Africa, rises from seven mountains, having on the east the river Malva, on the north the Gaditan Strait, on the west the Atlantic Ocean, on the south the Gaulal peoples wandering as far as the Hesperian Ocean: a region that begets wild beasts, apes, dragons, and ostriches. Once it was even full of elephants too, which now India alone brings forth.

[13] Garamantis regionis caput Garama oppidum fuit. Est autem inter Cyrenensem et Aethiopiam, ubi est fons qui friget calore diei et calet frigore noctis.

[13] The capital of the region of the Garamantes was the town Garama. Moreover, it is between Cyrenaica and Ethiopia, where there is a fount that grows cold with the heat of day and grows hot with the cold of night.

[14] Aethiopia dicta a colore populorum, quos solis vicinitas torret. Denique vim sideris prodit hominum color; est enim ibi iugis aestus; nam quidquid eius est, sub meridiano cardine est. Circa occiduum autem montuosa est, arenosa in medio, ad orientalem vero plagam deserta: cuius situs ab occiduo Athlantis montis ad orientem usque in Aegypti fines porrigitur, a meridie Oceano, a septentrione Nilo flumine clauditur; plurimas habens gentes, diverso vultu et monstruosa specie horribiles.

[14] Ethiopia, called from the color of the peoples, whom the nearness of the sun scorches. Indeed the color of men discloses the force of the star; for there there is an unbroken heat; for whatever of it there is lies under the meridian cardinal point. Around the west, however, it is mountainous, sandy in the middle, but toward the eastern quarter desert: whose site stretches from the western side of Mount Atlas to the east as far as the borders of Egypt, is enclosed on the south by the Ocean, on the north by the river Nile; having very many nations, with diverse visage and with monstrous aspect, dreadful.

[15] Ferarum quoque et serpentium referta est multitudine. Illic quippe rhinoceros bestia et camelopardus, basiliscus, dracones ingentes, ex quorum cerebro gemmae extrahuntur. Iacynthus quoque et chrysoprasus ibi reperiuntur; cinnamonium ibi colligitur.

[15] It is filled with a multitude of wild beasts and serpents. There indeed are the rhinoceros-beast and the camelopard, the basilisk, huge dragons, from whose brain gems are extracted. Jacinth also and chrysoprase are found there; cinnamon is gathered there.

[16] Duae sunt autem Aethiopiae: una circa ortum solis, altera circa occasum in Mauretania.

[16] There are, moreover, two Ethiopias: one around the rising of the sun, the other around the setting in Mauretania.

[17] Extra tres autem partes orbis quarta pars trans Oceanum interior est in meridie, quae solis ardore incognita nobis est; in cuius finibus Antipodes fabulose inhabitare produntur. Proxima autem Hispaniae Mauretania est, deinde Numidia, inde regio Carthaginensis, post quae Gaetuliam accipimus, post eam Aethiopiam, inde loca exusta solis ardoribus.

[17] Outside the three parts of the world, however, a fourth part lies across the Ocean in the south, which is unknown to us because of the sun’s ardor; at whose boundaries the Antipodes are fabulously reported to inhabit. Next to Hispania is Mauretania, then Numidia, thence the Carthaginian region, after which we reckon Gaetulia, after it Ethiopia, then the places scorched by the sun’s burnings.

[18] Sciendum sane quod quaedam provinciae primum de nomine auctoris appellatae sunt; postea a provincia gentis nomen est factum. Nam ab Italo Italia, et rursus ab Italia Italus; et sic utimur ipsa nomina gentis, quomodo fuit ipsud nomen auctoris, unde derivatum est nomen provinciae. Ex quo accidit ex uno nomine nominari et civitatem et regionem et gentem.

[18] It should indeed be known that certain provinces were at first named from the name of their author; afterward from the province the name of the people was made. For from Italus, Italy; and in turn from Italy, an Italus; and thus we use the very names of the people in the same way as was that very name of the author, whence the name of the province was derived. From which it happens that from one name both the city and the region and the people are named.

[19] Provinciae autem ex causa vocabulum acceperunt. Principatus namque gentium, qui ad reges alios pertinebat, eum in ius suum Romani vincendo redigerent, procul positas regiones provincias appellaverunt. Patria autem vocata quod communis sit omnium, qui in ea nati sunt.

[19] The provinces, moreover, received their vocable from the cause. For the principate of the nations, which pertained to other kings, when the Romans, by conquering, brought it into their own ius (jurisdiction), they appellated the regions placed far off “provinces.” The fatherland, however, is so called because it is common to all who were born in it.

[20] Terra autem significari, ut praediximus (13,3,1), elementum: terras vero singulas partes, ut Africa, Italia. Eadem et loca; nam loca et terrae spatia in orbe terrarum multas in se continent provincias, sicut in corpore locus est pars una, multa in se continens membra; sicut et domus, multa in se habens cubicula: sic terrae et loca dicuntur terrarum spatia, quorum partes sunt provinciae; sicut in Asia Phrygia, in Gallia Raetia, in Hispania Baetica.

[20] But earth signifies, as we have said before (13,3,1), the element; but lands the individual parts, as Africa, Italy. The same with places; for places and spaces of land in the orb of lands contain many provinces within themselves, just as in a body a place is one part, containing many members within itself; and as a house, having many chambers within itself: so lands and places are called expanses of lands, of which the parts are provinces; as in Asia, Phrygia; in Gaul, Raetia; in Spain, Baetica.

[21] Nam Asia locus est, provincia Asiae Phrygia, Troia regio Phrygiae, Ilium civitas Troiae. Item regiones partes sunt provinciarum, quas vulgus conventus vocat, sicut in Phrygia Troia; sicut in Gallicia Cantabria, Asturia. A rectoribus autem regio nuncupata est, cuius partes territoria sunt.

[21] For Asia is a place; a province of Asia is Phrygia; Troy is a region of Phrygia; Ilium is a city of Troy. Likewise, regions are parts of provinces, which the common crowd calls conventus, as in Phrygia, Troy; as in Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias. Moreover, a region (regio) is so named from rulers (rectores), whose parts are territories (territoria).

[22] Territorium autem vocatum quasi tauritorium, tritum bubus et aratro. Antiqui enim sulco ducto et possessionum et territoriorum limites designabant.

[22] Territory, moreover, is called as if “tauritory,” trodden by oxen and the plow. For the ancients, with a furrow drawn, designated the limits of possessions and of territories.

VI. DE INSVLIS.

6. ON ISLANDS.

[1] Insulae dictae quod in salo sint, id est in mari. Ex his quoque notissimae et maximae, quas plurimi veterum sollerti studio indagaverunt, notandae sunt.

[1] Islands are so called because they are in the brine, that is, in the sea. Of these too the most well-known and the greatest, which very many of the ancients investigated with skillful study, are to be noted.

[2] Brittania Oceani insula interfuso mari toto orbe divisa, a vocabulo suae gentis cognominita. Haec adversa Galliarum parte ad prospectum Hispaniae sita est; circuitus eius quadragies octies septuaginta quinque milia; multa et magna flumina in ea, fontes calidi, metallorum larga et varia copia: gagates lapis ibi plurimus et margaritae.

[2] Britain, an island of the Ocean, divided from the whole world by the sea poured in between, is surnamed from the name of its own people. It lies over against the part of Gaul, set for a prospect toward Spain; its circuit is 48,075 miles; in it are many and great rivers, hot springs, an abundant and varied plenty of metals: jet-stone there is very plentiful, and pearls.

[3] Tanatos insula Oceani freto Gallico, a Brittania aestuario tenui separata, frumentariis campis et gleba uberi. Dicta autem Tanatos a morte serpentum, quos dum ipsa nesciat, asportata inde terra quoquo gentium vecta sit, angues ilico perimit.

[3] Tanatos, an island of the Ocean in the Gallic strait, separated from Britain by a slender estuary, with grain-bearing fields and a rich glebe. It is called Tanatos from the death of serpents, for although it itself is unacquainted with them, if earth taken from there be carried to whatever peoples, it kills snakes immediately.

[4] Thyle ultima insula Oceani inter septentrionalem et occidentalem plagam ultra Brittaniam, a sole nomen habens, quia in ea aestivum solstitium sol facit, et nullus ultra eam dies est. Vnde et pigrum et concretum est eius mare.

[4] Thule, the ultimate island of the Ocean, between the septentrional and occidental quarter, beyond Britain, having its name from the sun, because in it the sun makes the summer solstice, and there is no day beyond it. Whence also its sea is sluggish and congealed.

[5] Orcades insulae Oceani intra Britanniam positae numero triginta tres, quarum viginti desertae sunt, tredecim coluntur.

[5] The Orkney islands of the Ocean, situated within Britain, are in number 33, of which 20 are deserted, 13 are inhabited.

[6] Scotia idem et Hibernia proxima Brittaniae insula, spatio terrarum angustior, sed situ fecundior. Haec ab Africo in Boream porrigitur. Cuius partes priores Hiberiam et Cantabricum Oceanum intendunt, unde et Hibernia dicta: Scotia autem, quod ab Scotorum gentibus colitur, appellata.

[6] Scotia, likewise Hibernia, the island nearest to Britain, narrower in the span of lands, but more fecund in situation. This stretches from Africus toward Boreas. Its foremost parts look toward Hiberia and the Cantabrian Ocean, whence also it is called Hibernia; but Scotia, so named because it is inhabited by the nations of the Scots.

Illic nulla anguis, avis rara, apis nulla, adeo ut advectos inde pulveres seu lapillos si quis alibi sparserit inter alvaria, examina favos deserant.

There, no serpent; a bird is rare; no bee—so much so that, if anyone should scatter dust or little stones brought from there among apiaries elsewhere, the swarms desert the honeycombs.

[7] Gadis insula in fine Baeticae provinciae sita, quae dirimit Europam ab Africa, in qua Herculis columnae visuntur, et unde Tyrrheni maris faucibus Oceani aestus inmittitur. Est autem a continenti terra centum viginti passibus divisa, quam Tyrii a Rubro profecti mare occupantes [in] lingua sua Gadir, id est septam, nominaverunt, pro eo quod circumsepta sit mari. Nascitur in ea arbor similis palmae, cuius gummis infectum vitrum ceraunium gemmam reddit.

[7] The island Gadis, situated at the end of the province Baetica, which separates Europe from Africa, in which the Columns of Hercules are seen, and whence the tide of Ocean is sent into the straits of the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is divided from the mainland by one hundred and twenty paces; which the Tyrians, setting out from the Red Sea and occupying the sea, named [in] their own language Gadir, that is, “enclosed,” for the reason that it is surrounded by the sea. In it there grows a tree similar to a palm, whose gum, by staining glass, renders it the ceraunian gem.

[8] Fortunatarum insulae vocabulo suo significant omnia ferre bona, quasi felices et beatae fructuum ubertate. Sua enim aptae natura pretiosarum poma silvarum parturiunt; fortuitis vitibus iuga collium vestiuntur; ad herbarum vicem messis et holus vulgo est. Vnde gentilium error et saecularium carmina poetarum propter soli fecunditatem easdem esse Paradisum putaverunt.

[8] The Islands of the Fortunate by their very name signify that they bear all good things, as if happy and blessed with the abundance of fruits. For, fitted by their own nature, they bring forth the fruits of precious woods; the ridges of the hills are clothed with chance-grown vines; in the stead of grasses, there are commonly harvest and pot-herbs. Whence the error of the Gentiles and the secular songs of the poets, on account of the fecundity of the soil, supposed these same to be Paradise.

Sitae sunt autem in Oceano contra laevam Mauretaniae, occiduo proximae, et inter se interiecto mari discretae.

They are situated in the Ocean opposite the left-hand of Mauretania, nearest to the Occident, and separated from one another by an interposed sea.

[9] Gorgades insulae Oceani obversae promontorio, quod vocatur Hesperu Ceras, quas incoluerunt Gorgones feminae aliti pernicitate, hirsuto et aspero corpore; et ex his insulae cognominatae. Distant autem a continenti terra bidui navigatione.

[9] The Gorgades islands of the Ocean, facing the promontory which is called Hesperu Ceras, which the Gorgon women inhabited—winged in swiftness, with a shaggy and rough body; and from these the islands were cognominated. They are distant from the mainland by a voyage of two days.

[10] Hesperidum insulae vocatae a civitate Hesperide, quae fuit in fines Mauretaniae. Sunt enim ultra Gorgadas sitae sub Athlanteum litus in intimos maris sinus; in quarum hortis fingunt fabulae draconem pervigilem aurea mala servantem. Fertur enim ibi e mari aestuarium adeo sinuosis lateribus tortuosum ut visentibus procul lapsus angueos imitetur.

[10] The islands of the Hesperides, named from the city Hesperide, which was within the borders of Mauretania. For they are situated beyond the Gorgades, beneath the Atlantean shore, in the innermost bays of the sea; in whose gardens the fables feign an ever-watchful dragon guarding the golden apples. For it is reported that there, from the sea, an estuary is so tortuous with sinuous sides that, to those viewing from afar, it imitates the snake-like glidings.

[11] Chryse et Argyre insulae in Indico Oceano sitae, adeo fecundae copia metallorum ut plerique eas auream superficiem et argenteam habere prodiderint; unde et vocabula sortitae sunt.

[11] The islands Chryse and Argyre, situated in the Indian Ocean, are so fecund in a supply of metals that very many have reported them to have a golden surface and a silver one; whence also they have drawn their names.

[12] Taprobane insula Indiae subiacens ad Eurum, ex qua Oceanus Indicus incipit, patens in longitudine octingentis septuaginta quinque milibus passuum, in latitudine sescenta viginti quinque milia stadiorum. Scinditur amni interfluo; tota margaritis repleta et gemmis: pars eius bestiis et elephantis repleta est, partem vero homines tenent. In hac insula dicunt in uno anno duas esse aestates et duas hiemes, et bis floribus vernare locum.

[12] The island Taprobane, lying off India toward Eurus (the East), from which the Indian Ocean begins, extends in length 875,000 paces, in breadth 625,000 stadia. It is cleft by a river flowing between; wholly replete with pearls and gems: a part of it is filled with beasts and elephants, but a part men occupy. On this island they say that in a single year there are two summers and two winters, and that the place becomes vernal with flowers twice.

[13] Tiles insula Indiae, virens omni tempore folia. Hucusque Oceani insulae.

[13] Tiles, an island of India, green with leaves at every time. Up to this point, the islands of the Ocean.

[14] Item insulae quae Hellesponto usque ad Gades in mare Magno sunt constitutae. Cypros insula a civitate Cypro, quae in ea est, nomen accepit; ipsa est et Paphos Veneri consecrata in Carpathio mari, vicina Austro, famosa quondam divitiis, et maxime aeris. Ibi enim prima huius metalli inventio et utilitas fuit.

[14] Likewise, the islands which are situated in the Great Sea from the Hellespont as far as Gades. The island Cyprus took its name from the city Cyprus, which is in it; it itself also has Paphos, consecrated to Venus, in the Carpathian Sea, neighboring the South, once famous for riches, and especially for copper. For there was the first discovery and use of this metal.

[15] Creta Graeciae pars est iungens contra Peloponnensem. Haec primum a temperie caeli Macaronnesos appellata est; deinde Creta dicta a Crete quodam indigena, quem aiunt unum Curetum fuisse, a quibus Iuppiter ibi absconditus est et enutritus. Est autem insula Graeciae inter ortum et occasum longissimo tractu porrecta, a septentrione Graeciae aestibus, ab Austro Aegyptiis undis perfusa.

[15] Crete is a part of Greece, joining opposite the Peloponnese. This was first called Macaronnesos from the temperateness of the sky; then it was called Crete from a certain native Crete, whom they say was one of the Curetes, by whom Jupiter there was hidden and brought up. Moreover, it is an island of Greece stretched out in a very long tract between the rising and the setting, on the north washed by the swells of Greece, on the south bathed by Egyptian waves.

Fuit autem quondam centum urbibus nobilis; unde et Hecatompolis dicta est.

It was, moreover, once renowned for a hundred cities; whence it was also called Hecatompolis.

[16] Prima etiam remis et sagittis claruit, prima litteris iura finxit, equestres turmas prima docuit; studium musicum ab Idaeis dactylis in ea coeptum. Capris copiosa, cervos eget; lupos et vulpes aliaque ferarum noxia nusquam gignit; serpens nulla ibi, nulla noctua, et si inveniatur, statim emoritur. Larga est autem vitibus et arboribus: dyctamnos herba in Creta nascitur et alimos, quae admorsa diurnam famem prohibet.

[16] She also first became renowned for oars and arrows, first shaped laws by letters, first taught cavalry troops; the musical study was begun in it by the Idaean Dactyls. Rich in goats, she lacks deer; she engenders nowhere wolves and foxes and other noxious beasts; there is no serpent there, no owl, and if one is found, it dies immediately. She is, moreover, bountiful in vines and trees: the herb dictamnos grows in Crete, and the alimos, which, when chewed, forbids daytime hunger.

Phalangos autem venenatos gignit et lapidem qui Idaeus dactylus dicitur.

However, it produces venomous phalangia and a stone which is called the Idaean dactyl.

[17] Abydos insula in Europa super Hellespontum posita, angusto et periculoso mari separata, et ABUDOS Graece dicta quod sit introitus Hellesponti maris, in quo Xerxes pontem ex navibus fecit, et in Graeciam transiit.

[17] The island Abydos in Europe, situated over the Hellespont, separated by a narrow and perilous sea, and called ABUDOS in Greek because it is the entrance of the sea of the Hellespont, in which Xerxes made a bridge out of ships and crossed into Greece.

[18] Coos insula adiacens provinciae Atticae, in qua Hippocrates medicus natus est; quae, ut Varro testis est, arte lanificii prima in ornamento feminarum inclaruit.

[18] Coos island adjacent to the province of Attica, in which Hippocrates the physician was born; which, as Varro attests, was first in the art of wool-working to become renowned in women’s adornment.

[19] Cyclades insulae antiquitus Graeciae fuerunt, quas inde Cyclades autumant dictas quod, licet spatiis longioribus a Delo proiectae, in orbem tamen circa Delum sitae sint; nam orbem KUKLON Graii loquuntur. Quidam vero non quod in orbem digestae, sed propter scopulos qui circa eadem sunt, dictas putant Cyclades.

[19] The Cyclades islands were in antiquity of Greece, whence they assert that they are called Cyclades because, although projected at longer spaces from Delos, nevertheless they are situated in a circle around Delos; for the Greeks speak KUKLON for “circle.” But some indeed think them called Cyclades not because they are arranged in an orb, but on account of the crags which are around the same.

[20] Haec in Hellesponto inter Aegeum et Maleum mare constitutae circumdantur etiam pelago Myrtoo. Sunt autem numero quinquaginta tres, tenentes a septentrione in meridiem milia quingenta, ab oriente in occasum milia ducenta. Metropolis earum Rhodos.

[20] These, situated in the Hellespont between the Aegean and the Malean sea, are also surrounded by the Myrtoan sea. They are in number 53, extending from the north to the south 500 miles, and from east to west 200 miles. Rhodes is their metropolis.

[21] Delos insula in medio Cycladum sita. Et dicta Delos fertur, quod post diluvium, quod Ogygi temporibus notatur, cum orbem multis mensibus continua nox inumbrasset, ante omnes terras radiis solis inluminata est; sortitaque ex eo nomen, quod prima manifestata fuisset visibus; nam DELON Graeci manifestum dicunt. Ipsa est et Ortygia, eo quod primum ibi visae sunt coturnices aves, quas Graeci ORTUGAS vocant.

[21] Delos, an island set in the middle of the Cyclades. And it is said to be called Delos, because after the deluge which is recorded in the times of Ogygus, when a continuous night had overshadowed the world for many months, before all lands it was illuminated by the rays of the sun; and from this it obtained its name, because it had first been made manifest to the eyes; for the Greeks say DELON for “manifest.” It is also Ortygia, for the reason that quail-birds were first seen there, which the Greeks call ORTUGAS.

In hac insula Latona enixa est Apollinem et Dianam. Delos autem et civitas dicitur et insula.

In this island Latona gave birth to Apollo and Diana. Delos, moreover, is called both a city and an island.

[22] Rhodos Cycladum prima ab oriente, in qua rosae capitulum dicitur esse inventum, dum ibi civitas conderetur, ex quo et urbs et insula Rhodos est appellata. In hac urbe Solis colossus fuit aereus septuaginta cubitorum altitudine; fuerunt et alii centum numero in eadem insula colossi minores.

[22] Rhodes, the first of the Cyclades from the east, in which the flower-head of the rose is said to have been discovered while a city was being founded there, whence both the city and the island have been called Rhodos. In this city there was a brazen Colossus of the Sun, with a height of 70 cubits; and there were also 100 other lesser colossi on the same island.

[23] Tenedos una ex Cycladibus a septentrione sita, in qua olim civitas a Tene quodam condita est. Vnde nomen urbis illius vel potius insulae fuit; nam Tenes iste infamatus quod cum noverca sua concubuisset, [et] fugiens hanc insulam vacuam cultoribus obtinuit; unde et Tenedos dicta est. Sic Cicero (2 Verr.

[23] Tenedos, one of the Cyclades, situated to the north, in which once a city was founded by a certain Tenes. Whence the name of that city, or rather of the island, arose; for this Tenes, infamed because he had lain with his stepmother, [and] fleeing, obtained this island empty of cultivators; whence also it is called Tenedos. Thus Cicero (2 Verr.

1,49): 'Tenen ipsum, cuius ex nomine Tenedos nominatum.'

1,49): 'Tenes himself, from whose name Tenedos was named.'

[24] Carpathos unaex Cycladibus a meridie posita contra Aegyptum; a qua Carpathium mare appellatum est, vocata propter celerem fructuum maturitatem. Est enim inter Aegyptum et Rhodum. Ex hac insula dicuntur et carpasiae naves, magnae et spatiosae.

[24] Carpathos, one of the Cyclades, situated to the south opposite Egypt; from it the Carpathian Sea has been named, so called on account of the swift maturation of fruits. For it lies between Egypt and Rhodes. From this island ships too are called Carpathian, large and spacious.

[25] Cytherea insula una ex Cycladibus a parte occidua sita, cuius Porphyris antea nomen fuit. Cytherea autem vocata quod ibi Venus sit orta.

[25] The island Cytherea, one of the Cyclades, situated on the western side, whose name formerly was Porphyris. It is called Cytherea because there Venus arose.

[26] Icaria insula una de Cycladibus, quae Icario mari nomen dedit. Haec inter Samum et Myconum procurrentibus saxis inhospitalis est, et nullis sinibus portuosa. Dicitur autem Icarum Cretensem ibi naufragio interisse, et de exitu hominis inpositum nomen loco.

[26] Icaria, an island, one of the Cyclades, which gave its name to the Icarian sea. This lies between Samos and Myconos; with rocks jutting out it is inhospitable, and it has no harbors in any inlets. It is said, moreover, that Icarus the Cretan there perished by shipwreck, and from the man’s end the name was imposed upon the place.

[27] Naxos insula a Dionysio dicta, quasi Dionaxos, quod fertilitate vitium vincat ceteras. Est autem a Delo decem et octo milia passuum separata, ex qua olim Iovis fertur adversus Titanas fuisse profectus.

[27] Naxos island is said to be named from Dionysus, as if “Dionaxos,” because by the fertility of its vines it conquers the others. Moreover, it is separated from Delos by 18 miles, and from it Jove is said once to have set out against the Titans.

[28] Melos ex numero Cycladum, una omnium insularum rotundissima; unde et nuncupata.

[28] Melos, one of the Cyclades, the most rotund of all the islands; whence also it is named.

[29] Historia dicit ex Ias(i)one natum fuisse Philomelum et Plutum, ex Philomelo Pareantum genitum, qui de suo nomine Paron insulam et oppidum appellavit: prius autem Minoia, deinde Paros dicta. De qua Vergilius (Aen. 3,126):

[29] History says that from Iasion were born Philomelus and Plutus, and from Philomelus Pareantus was begotten, who from his own name appellated the island and the town Paron: previously, however, it was called Minoia, then Paros. Concerning which Virgil (Aen. 3,126):

Niveamque Paron.

and snowy Paros.

Gignit enim marmor candidissimum, quod Parium dicunt. Mittit et sardam lapidem marmoribus quidem praestantiorem, et inter gemmas vilissimum.

For it produces the most snow-white marble, which they call Parian. It also sends forth the sard stone, indeed more preeminent than marbles, and among gems the very cheapest.

[30] Chios insula Syra lingua appellatur eo quod ibi mastix gignitur; Syri enim masticem 'chio' vocant.

[30] The island Chios is called in the Syrian tongue for this reason, that mastic is produced there; for the Syrians call mastic 'chio'.

[31] Samos insula est in mari Aegeo, ubi nata est Iuno; ex qua fuit Sibylla Samia et Pythagoras Samius, a quo philosophiae nomen inventum est. In hac insula reperta prius fictilia vasa traduntur; unde et vasa Samia appellata sunt.

[31] Samos is an island in the Aegean Sea, where Juno was born; from it came the Samian Sibyl and Pythagoras the Samian, by whom the name philosophy was invented. In this island fictile vessels are reported to have been first discovered; whence also Samian vessels have been so called.

[32] Sicilia a Sicano rege Sicania cognominata est, deinde a Siculo Itali fratre Sicilia. Prius autem Trinacria dicta propter tria AKRA, id est promontoria: Pelorum, Pachinum et Lilybaeum. Trinacria enim Graecum est, quod Latine triquetra dicitur, quasi in tres quadras divisa.

[32] Sicily was surnamed Sicania from King Sicanus, then Sicily from Siculus, brother of Italus. Previously, however, it was called Trinacria on account of three AKRA, that is, promontories: Pelorum, Pachinum, and Lilybaeum. For Trinacria is Greek, which in Latin is called triquetra, as if divided into three quarters.

Haec ab Italia exiguo fretu discreta, Africum mare prospectans, terris frugifera, auro abundans, cavernis tamen et fistulis penetrabilis, ventisque et sulphure plena; unde et ibi Aethnae montis extant incendia.In cuius fretu Scylla est et Charybdis, quibus navigia aut absorbuntur aut conliduntur.

This island, separated from Italy by a narrow strait, looking out upon the African sea, is fruitful in its soils, abundant in gold, yet penetrable with caverns and fistulas (vents), and full of winds and sulphur; whence also there stand forth the conflagrations of Mount Aetna. In whose strait are Scylla and Charybdis, by whom ships are either absorbed or dashed together.

[33] Fuit autem quondam patria Cyclopum, et postea nutrix tyrannorum; frugum fertilis, ac primum terris omnibus commissis seminibus aratro proscissa. Principem urbium Syracusas habet, fontem Arethusam et Alpheum fluvium 'magnorum generatorem equorum' (cf. Virg. Aen.

[33] It was once the fatherland of the Cyclopes, and afterwards the nurse of tyrants; fertile in crops, and, the first, with seeds committed to all lands, furrowed by the plow. It has as chief of cities Syracuse, the fountain Arethusa and the river Alpheus, 'the begetter of great horses' (cf. Virg. Aen.

3,704). In ea insula primum est inventa comoedia.

3,704). On that island comedy was first invented.

[34] Achaten lapidem ipsa primum ex Achate flumine dedit. Parturit et mare eius corallium; gignit et sales Agrigentinos in igne solubiles, crepitantes in aquis. Omnis ambitus eius clauditur stadiorum tribus milibus.

[34] She herself first gave the agate stone from the river Achates. Her sea too bears coral; and it begets the Agrigentine salts, soluble in fire, crackling in waters. Its whole circuit is enclosed by three thousand stadia.

Sallustius (Hist. 4,26) autem dicit Italiae coniunctam fuisse Siciliam sed medium spatium impetu maris divisum et per angustiam scissum.

Sallustius (Hist. 4,26) however says that Sicily had been joined to Italy, but that the intervening space was divided by the impetus of the sea and split through a narrows.

[35] Thapsus insula stadiis decem a Sicilia remota iacens et planior, unde et nuncupata. De qua Vergilius (Aen. 3,689):

[35] The island Thapsus, lying ten stadia removed from Sicily and flatter, whence also named. About which Vergil (Aen. 3,689):

Thapsumque iacentem.

And Thapsus lying low.

[36] Aeoliae insulae Siciliae appellatae ab Aeolo Hippotae filio, quem poetae finxerunt regem fuisse ventorum: sed ut Varro dicit, rector fuit istarum insularum, et quia ex earum nebulis et fumo futuros praedicebat flatus ventorum, ab inperitis visus est ventos sua potestate retinuisse. Eaedem insulae et Vulcaniae vocantur, quod et ipsae sicut Aethna ardeant.

[36] The Aeolian islands of Sicily, so appellated from Aeolus, son of Hippotes, whom the poets feigned to have been king of the winds: but, as Varro says, he was the rector of those islands; and because from their mists and fume he used to foretell the future flatus of the winds, he seemed to the unskilled to have restrained the winds by his own power. The same islands are also called Vulcanian, because they themselves burn just like Aetna.

[37] Sunt autem novem habentes propria nomina. Quarum primam Liparus quidam Liparen vocavit, qui eam ante Aeolum rexit; altera Hiera vocatur, quod sit collibus eminentissimis; reliquae vero, id est Strongyle, Didyme, Eriphusa, Hephaestia, Phaenicusa, Euonymos, Tripodes, Sonores, quoniam nocte ardent, Aeoliae sive Vulcaniae dicuntur. Ex his quaedam ab initio non fuerunt; postea mare editae usque [ad] nunc permanent.

[37] They are, however, nine, having their own names. Of these, a certain Liparus called the first Lipara, who ruled it before Aeolus; the second is called Hiera, because it is with most eminent hills; but the rest, that is, Strongyle, Didyme, Eriphusa, Hephaestia, Phaenicusa, Euonymos, Tripodes, Sonores, since they burn at night, are called Aeolian or Vulcanian. Of these, some were not from the beginning; afterwards, brought forth by the sea, they remain up to [ad] now.

[38] Stoechades insulae Massiliensium sexaginta milium spatio a continenti in fronte Narbonensis provinciae, qua Rhodanus fluvius in mare exit. Dictae autem Graece STOICHADES, quasi opere in ordinem sint positae.

[38] The Stoechades islands of the Massilians, at a distance of sixty miles from the mainland, lie opposite the Narbonensian province, where the river Rhone goes out into the sea. They are called in Greek STOICHADES, as if by workmanship they were set in order.

[39] Sardus Hercule procreatus cum magna multitudine a Libya profectus Sardiniam occupavit, et ex suo vocabulo insulae nomen dedit. Haec in Africo mari facie vestigii humani, in orientem quam in occidentem latior prominet, ferme paribus lateribus quae in meridiem et septentrionem vertunt; ex quo ante commercium a navigantibus Graecorum ICHNOS appellata est.

[39] Sardus, begotten by Hercules, having set out from Libya with a great multitude, occupied Sardinia and gave the island its name from his own vocable. This, in the African sea, with the semblance of a human footprint, projects broader toward the east than toward the west, with sides almost equal which face to the south and to the north; whence, before commerce, it was called ICHNOS by Greek navigators.

[40] Terra patet in longitudine milia centum quadraginta, in latitudine quadraginta. In ea neque serpens gignitur neque lupus, sed solifuga tantum, animal exiguum hominibus perniciosum. Venenum quoque ibi non nascitur, nisi herba per scriptores plurimos et poetas memorata, apiastro similis, quae hominibus rictus contrahit et quasi ridentes interimit.

[40] The land extends in length 140 miles, in breadth 40. In it neither serpent is begotten nor wolf, but only a solifuge, a small animal pernicious to human beings. Poison too is not produced there, save a herb, remembered by very many writers and poets, similar to apiastrum, which contracts the mouths of men and, as if they were laughing, kills them.

Fontes habet Sardinia calidos, infirmis medellam praebentes, furibus caecitatem, si sacramento dato oculos aquis eius tetigerint.

Sardinia has hot springs, providing a remedy to the infirm, blindness to thieves, if, an oath having been given, they should touch their eyes with its waters.

[41] Corsicae insulae exordium incolae Ligures dederunt appellantes eam ex nomine ducis. Nam quaedam Corsa nomine Ligus mulier, cum taurum ex grege, quem prope litora regebat, transnatare solitum atque per intervallum corpore aucto remeare videret, cupiens scire incognita sibi pabula, taurum a ceteris digredientem usque ad insulam navigio prosecuta est. Cuius regressu insulae fertilitatem cognoscentes Ligures ratibus ibi profecti sunt, eamque nomine mulieris auctoris et ducis appellaverunt.

[41] The inhabitants, the Ligurians, gave the origin of the island of Corsica, appellating it from the name of their leader. For a certain Ligurian woman named Corsa, when she saw a bull from the herd which she was driving near the shores accustomed to swim across and, after an interval, to return with its body augmented, wishing to know the pasturage unknown to her, pursued the bull as it separated from the others all the way to the island by a boat. On its return, the Ligurians, recognizing the fertility of the island, set out thither on rafts, and they named it by the name of the woman, the originator and leader.

[42] Haec autem insula Graece KURNE dicitur, a Cyrno Herculis filio habitata. De qua Vergilius (Ecl. 9,30):

[42] This island, moreover, is called in Greek KURNE, inhabited by Cyrnus, the son of Hercules. About which Virgil (Ecl. 9, 30):

Cyrnea taxos.

Cyrnean yews.

Dividitur autem a Sardinia viginti milium freto, cincta Ligustici aequoris sinu ad prospectum Italiae. Est autem multis promuntoriis angulosa, gignens laetissima pabula et lapidem quem catochiten Graeci vocant.

It is divided from Sardinia by a strait of 20 miles, girdled by the bay of the Ligustic (Ligurian) sea facing toward the prospect of Italy. Moreover, it is angular with many promontories, producing most luxuriant pastures and a stone which the Greeks call catochite.

[43] Ebosus insula Hispaniae dicta quod a Zanio non procul sit, quasi abozus; nam septuaginta stadiis ab ea distat. Cuius terram serpentes fugiunt. Huic contraria est Colubraria, quae feta est anguibus.

[43] The island Ebosus of Hispania is so called because it is not far from Zanos, as if “abozus”; for it is distant from it by seventy stadia. Serpents flee its soil. Opposite to it is Colubraria, which is teeming with snakes.

[44] Baleares insulae Hispaniae duae sunt: Aphrosiades et Gymnaside, maior et minor; unde et eas vulgus Maioricam et Minoricam nuncupant. In his primum insulis inventa est funda qua lapides emittuntur, unde et Baleares dictae; BALLEIN enim Graece mittere dicitur; unde et ballista, quasi missa, et fundibalum. Vergilius (Georg. 1,309):

[44] The Balearic islands of Spain are two: Aphrosiades and Gymnaside, the greater and the lesser; whence also the common folk name them Majorca and Minorca. On these islands first was invented the sling by which stones are emitted, whence also they are called the Baleares; for BALLEIN in Greek is said “to send”; whence also ballista, as if “sent,” and fundibalum. Vergil (Georg. 1,309):

Balearis verbera fundae.

Balearic lashes of the sling.

VII. DE PROMVNTORIIS.

7. ON PROMONTORIES.

[1] Commune est insulis ut promineant. Inde et loca earum promuntoria dicitur. Sic Sallustius de Sardinia (Hist.

[1] It is common to islands that they project. Thence also their places are called promontories. Thus Sallust about Sardinia (Hist.

2, fr. 2): 'In Orientem quam in Occidentem latior prominet.'

2, fr. 2): 'It projects more broadly toward the East than toward the West.'

[2] Sigeum promuntorium Asiae, ubi Hellespontus apertius dilatatur. Dictum autem Sigeum propter Herculis taciturnitatem, quia prohibitus hospitio a Laumedonte Troianorum rege, simulavit abscessum, et inde contra Troiam cum silentio venit, quod dicitur SIGE.

[2] Sigeum, a promontory of Asia, where the Hellespont is more openly dilated. And it was called Sigeum on account of the taciturnity of Hercules, because, being prohibited from hospitality by Laomedon, king of the Trojans, he feigned a withdrawal, and from there came against Troy in silence, which is called SIGE.

[3] Maleum promuntorium Graeciae, quod intrat mare, et per milia quinquaginta protenditur; ubi unda ita saeva est ut persequi navigantes videatur. Hoc autem promuntorium a Maleo rege Argivorum nomen accepit.

[3] the Maleum promontory of Greece, which enters the sea and is extended for fifty miles; where the wave is so savage that it seems to pursue those navigating. This promontory, however, took its name from Maleus, king of the Argives.

[4] Pelorum promuntorium Siciliae respiciens Aquilonem, secundum Sallustium (Hist. 4,39) dictum a gubernatore Hannibalis illic sepulto.

[4] The promontory of Pelorus in Sicily, facing Aquilon (the North Wind), according to Sallust (Hist. 4,39), is said to be named from Hannibal’s helmsman buried there.

[5] Pachynum promuntorium Siciliae Austrum spectans, ab aeris crassitudine dictum, nam PACHUS est pinguis et crassus: Austro enim perflatur.

[5] The Pachynus promontory of Sicily, facing the Auster, is said to be named from the thickness of the air, for PACHUS is ‘fat’ and ‘thick’: for it is blown through by the Auster.

[6] Lilybaeum promuntorium Siciliae, solis occasum intendens, vocatum ab eiusdem nominis civitate, quae ibi est sita.

[6] Lilybaeum, a promontory of Sicily, pointing toward the sun’s setting, named from the city of the same name which is situated there.

[7] Borion promuntorium Numidiae, vocatum ita quod Aquilonem intendat. Hoc Hipponem Regium postea dictum, pro eo quod sit aequore interruptum. Calpis Hispaniae promuntorium.

[7] The Borion promontory of Numidia, called thus because it aims toward Aquilon (the north). This was afterward called Hippo Regius, on account of its being broken by the sea. Calpis, a promontory of Spain.

VIII. DE MONTIBVS CETERISQVE TERRAE VOCABVLIS.

8. ON THE MOUNTAINS AND THE OTHER TERMS OF THE EARTH.

[1] Montessunt tumores terrarum altissimi, dicti quod sint eminentes. Quidam autem propriis ex causis vocati sunt, ex quibus notandi sunt qui opinione maximi celebrantur.

[1] Mountains are the very high tumors/swellings of the lands, so called because they are eminent. Some, however, are called by their proper causes, among which those are to be noted that are celebrated as greatest in opinion.

[2] Mons Caucasus ab India usque ad Taurum porrectus, pro gentium ac linguarum varietate quoquo versum vadit, diversis nominibus nuncupatur. Vbi autem ad orientem in excelsiorem consurgit sublimitatem, pro nivium candore Caucasus nuncupatur. Nam orientali lingua 'caucasum' significat candidum, id est nivibus densissimis candicantem.

[2] The Caucasus mountain, stretched from India as far as Taurus, goes in every direction, and according to the variety of peoples and of tongues it is called by diverse names. But where toward the east it rises into a loftier sublimity, on account of the whiteness of the snows it is called the Caucasus. For in the Oriental tongue 'caucasum' signifies 'candid,' that is, gleaming white with the densest snows.

Vnde et eum Scythae, qui eidem monti iunguntur, Croacasim vocaverunt. 'Casim' enim apud eos candor sive nix dicitur.

Whence also the Scythians, who are joined to the same mountain, called it Croacasim. For among them 'casim' is said to mean whiteness or snow.

[3] Mons Taurus a plerisque idem vocatur et Caucasus.

[3] Mount Taurus is by most called the same as the Caucasus.

[4] Libanus mons Phoenicum altissimus, cuius meminerunt prophetae; dictus a ture, quia ibi colligitur. Cuius ea pars, quae est super eum ad orientalem plagam respiciens, Antilibanus appellatur, id est contra Libanum.

[4] Mount Lebanon, the highest of the Phoenicians, which the prophets have mentioned; named from incense, because it is gathered there. That part of it which lies beyond it, facing the eastern quarter, is called Anti-Lebanon, that is, opposite Lebanon.

[5] Ararat mons Armeniae, in quo arcam historici post diluvium sedisse testantur. Vnde et usque hodie ibidem lignorum eius videntur vestigia.

[5] Mount Ararat of Armenia, on which historians testify that the Ark settled after the Deluge. Whence even to this day in the same place the vestiges of its timbers are seen.

[6] Acroceraunii montes propter altitudinem et fulminum iactus vocati sunt; Graece enim fulmen KERAUNOS dicitur. Sunt autem inter Armeniam et Iberiam, incipientes a portis Caspiis usque ad fontem Tigridis fluvii.

[6] The Acroceraunian mountains were named on account of their altitude and the hurlings of thunderbolts; for in Greek a thunderbolt is called KERAUNOS. They are, moreover, between Armenia and Iberia, beginning from the Caspian Gates up to the source of the river Tigris.

[7] Hyperborei montes Scythiae, dicti quod supra, id est ultra, eos flat Boreas.

[7] The Hyperborean mountains of Scythia, so called because above, that is, beyond them, Boreas blows.

[8] Riphaei montes in capite Germaniae sunt, a perpetuo ventorum flatu nominati; nam RIFE Graece impetus et ORME dicitur, APO TOU RIPTEIN.

[8] The Riphaean mountains are at the head of Germany, named from the perpetual blast of the winds; for RIFE in Greek means “impetus,” and ORME is said from APO TOU RIPTEIN, “to hurl.”

[9]Olympus mons Macedoniae nimium praecelsus, ita ut sub illo nubes esse dicantur. De quo Vergilius (Lucan. 2,271):

[9]Mount Olympus of Macedonia, exceedingly high, such that clouds are said to be beneath it. Concerning which Vergil (Lucan. 2,271):

Nubes excessit Olympus.

Olympus has surpassed the clouds.

Dictus autem Olympus quasi Ololampus, id est quasi caelum.

Moreover, Olympus is called as if Ololampus, that is, as if heaven.

[10] Hic mons Macedoniam dividit a Thracia. Athos mons Macedoniae, et ipse altior nubibus, tantoque sublimis ut in Lemnum umbra eius pertendat, quae ab eo septuaginta sex milibus separatur.

[10] This mountain divides Macedonia from Thrace. Mount Athos of Macedonia, itself higher than the clouds, and so sublime that its shadow extends to Lemnos, which is separated from it by 76 miles.

[11] Parnasus mons Thessaliae iuxta Boeotiam, qui gemino vertice est erectus in caelum. Hic in duo finditur iuga: Cyrrham et Nissam; unde et nuncupatus; eo quod in singulis iugis colebantur Apollo et Liber. Haec iuga a duobus fratribus Cithaeron et Helicon appellantur.

[11] Mount Parnassus of Thessaly, near Boeotia, which with a twin summit is raised into the sky. This mountain is split into two ridges: Cyrrha and Nysa; whence it is also named, because on the individual ridges Apollo and Liber were worshiped. These ridges are called after two brothers, Cithaeron and Helicon.

Nam Helicon dictus ab Helicone fratre Cythaeronis.

For Helicon is named after Helicon, the brother of Cithaeron.

[12] Item Ceraunii sunt montes Epiri, a crebris dicti fulminibus. Graece enim fulmen KERAUNOS dicitur.

[12] Likewise the Ceraunian are mountains of Epirus, named from the frequent thunderbolts; for in Greek lightning is called KERAUNOS.

[13] Appenninus mons appellatus quasi Alpes Poeninae, quia Hannibal veniens ad Italiam easdem Alpes aperuit. Vnde et Vergilius (Aen. 10,13):

[13] The Apennine mountain was named, as it were, the Poenine Alps, because Hannibal, coming to Italy, opened those same Alps. Whence also Virgil (Aen. 10,13):

Alpes inmittit apertas;

He sends in the opened Alps;

has enim Hannibal post bella Hispaniae aceto rupit; Iuvenalis (10,153):

for Hannibal, after the wars of Spain, broke these with vinegar; Juvenal (10,153):

Et montem rupit aceto.

And he ruptured the mountain with vinegar.

Et inde loca ipsa, quae rupit, Appenninae Alpes vocantur.

And thence the very places which he broke through are called the Apennine Alps.

[14] Mons Aethna ex igne et sulphure dictus; unde et Gehenna. Constat autem hunc ab ea parte, qua Eurus vel Africus flat, habere speluncas plenas sulphuris et usque ad mare deductas, quae speluncae recipientes in se fluctus ventum creant, qui agitatus ignem gignit ex sulphure; unde est quod videtur incendium.

[14] Mount Aetna, said to be from fire and sulphur; whence also Gehenna. But it is agreed that this, on the side where the Eurus or the Africus blows, has caves full of sulphur and drawn down as far as the sea; which caves, receiving the waves into themselves, create a wind, which, when agitated, begets fire from the sulphur; whence it is that a conflagration is seen.

[15] Pyrenaeus et ipse a crebris fulminum ignibus nuncupatus; Graece enim ignis PUR vocatur. Iste est qui inter Galliam atque Hispaniam quasi de industria munimentum interiacet.

[15] Pyrenaeus too is named from the frequent lightning-fires; for in Greek fire is called PUR. This is that which lies, as if by deliberate design, as a muniment between Gaul and Spain.

[16] Solurius a singularitate dicitur, quod omnibus Hispaniae montibus solus altior videatur [sive quod oriente sole ante radius eius quam ipse cernatur].

[16] Solurius is named from singularity, because he alone appears higher than all the mountains of Hispania [or because, with the sun rising, its ray is perceived before it itself is discerned].

[17] Calpes mons in ultimis finibus Oceani, qui dirimit Europam ab Africa, quem Athlantis finem esse dicunt. De quo Lucanus (1,555):

[17] Mount Calpe at the farthest bounds of the Ocean, which separates Europe from Africa, which they say is the end of the Atlantic. About which Lucan (1,555):

Hesperiam Calpem, summumque implevit Athlantem.

He filled Hesperian Calpe, and the highest Atlas.

Athlans frater Promethei fuit et rex Africae, a quo astrologiae artem prius dicunt excogitatam; ideoque dictus est sustinuisse caelum. Ob eruditionem igitur disciplinae et scientiam caeli nomen eius in montem Africae derivatum est, qui nunc Athlans cognominatur: qui propter altitudinem suam quasi caeli machinam atque astra sustentare videtur.

Athlans was the brother of Prometheus and king of Africa, by whom they say the art of astrology was first excogitated; and therefore he was said to have sustained the heaven. On account of the erudition of the discipline and the science of the sky, therefore, his name was derived to a mountain in Africa, which now is surnamed Athlans: which, on account of its height, seems as if to sustain the sky’s machine and the stars.

[18] Alpes autem proprie montes Galliae sunt. De quibus Vergilius (Georg. 3,474):

[18] The Alps, moreover, are properly the mountains of Gaul. About which Vergil (Georg. 3,474):

Aerias Alpes;

Airy Alps;

et dicendo aerias verbum expressit a verbo. Nam Gallorum lingua 'alpes' montes alti vocantur. Haec sunt enim quae Italiae murorum exhibent vicem.

and by saying “aerial” he expressed the word from the word. For in the language of the Gauls, ‘alpes’ are called lofty mountains. These, indeed, are those which serve in the stead of walls for Italy.

[19] Colles sunt praeminentiora iuga montium, quasi colla.

[19] Hills are the more preeminent yokes (ridges) of mountains, as if necks.

[20] Iuga autem montium ex eo appellata sunt quod propinquitate sui iungantur.

[20] The yokes of mountains, moreover, are so named from this: that by their nearness they are joined.

[21] Tumulus est mons brevis, quasi tumens tellus. Item tumulus terra congesta, ubi nulla memoria est.

[21] A tumulus is a small hill, as if the earth swelling. Likewise, a tumulus is heaped-up earth where there is no memorial.

[22] Valles sunt humilia loca, quasi vulsa. Hinc et convalles depressa loca terrarum inter montes.

[22] Valleys are low places, as if torn up. Hence also “convalles” are the depressed places of the earth between mountains.

[23] Campus est terrarum planities. Dictus autem campus quod brevis sit pedibus, nec erectus, ut montes, sed patens et spatio suo porrectus et iacens; unde et Graece PEDION dicitur. Sumpsit autem nomen ex Graeca etymologia; CHAMAI enim Graeci breve dicunt.

[23] A campus is a plainness of lands. It is called a campus because it is short to the feet, and not erect, like mountains, but open and by its own expanse protracted and lying; whence in Greek it is called PEDION. It has, moreover, taken its name from a Greek etymology; for the Greeks call CHAMAI ‘short’.

[24] Solum est omne quod sustinet, a soliditate dictum scilicet. Vnde et de mari Vergilius ait (Aen. 5,199):

[24] The soil is everything that supports; so-called, namely, from solidity. Whence also about the sea Vergil says (Aen. 5,199):

Subtrahiturque solum.

And the ground is drawn away.

[25] Saltus sunt vasta et silvestria loca, ubi arbores exiliunt in altum.

[25] Saltūs are vast and sylvan places, where the trees spring up to a height.

[26] Fauces sunt aditus angustorum locorum inter arduos montes, loca angusta et brevia, dicta a faucium similitudine, quasi foces.

[26] Fauces are the approaches of narrow places between steep mountains, places narrow and short, named from the likeness of the fauces (throat), as if “foces.”

[27] Confrages loca in qua undique venti currunt ac sese frangunt. Vt Naevius ait (trag. 58):

[27] Confrages are places in which on all sides the winds run and break themselves. As Naevius says (trag. 58):

In montes ubi venti frangebant locum.

Into the mountains where the winds were breaking the place.

[28] Scabra sunt loca situ aspera. Vnde et scabies dicitur, a corporis asperitate.

[28] Scabrous are places, rough from neglect. Whence also scabies is so called, from the asperity of the body.

[29] Lustra obscura latibula ferarum et luporum cubilia sunt. Vnde et lupanaria lustra dicuntur, per contrarium videlicet, quia parum inlustrantur.

[29] Dark dens are the hiding-places of wild beasts and the lairs of wolves. Whence also brothels are called lustra, namely by contrariety, because they are scarcely illuminated.

[30] Lucus est locus densis arboribus septus, solo lucem detrahens. Potest et a conlucendo crebris luminibus dici, quae ibi propter religionem gentilium cultumque fiebant.

[30] A grove (lucus) is a place enclosed with dense trees, depriving the ground of light. It can also be said to be from “conlucendo,” by frequent lights which were made there on account of the religion of the gentiles and their cult.

[31] Deserta vocata quia non seruntur et ideo quasi deseruntur; ut sunt loca silvarum et montium, contraria uberrimarum terrarum, quae sunt uberrimae glebae.

[31] Deserts are so called because they are not sown and therefore, as it were, are deserted; such are the places of forests and of mountains, contrary to the most fertile lands, which are the most fertile glebes.

[32] Devia sunt loca secreta et abdita, quasi extra viam. Ipsa sunt et invia. Inde et aviaria secreta loca et a via remota, aut tantum adibilia avibus.

[32] Devious places are secret and hidden, as if outside the way. These themselves are also wayless. Hence also aviaries: secret places and removed from the way, or only approachable by birds.

Vnde est illud (Virg. Georg. 2,430):

Whence is that (Virgil, Georgics 2,430):

Inculta rubent aviaria bacis.

The uncultivated aviaries redden with berries.

[33] Amoena loca Varro dicta ait eo quod solum amorem praestant et ad se amanda adliciant. Verrius Flaccus, quod sine munere sint nec quicquam his officia, quasi amunia, hoc est sine fructu, unde nullus fructus exsolvitur. Inde etiam nihil praestantes inmunes vocantur.

[33] Varro says that “pleasant places” are so called because they furnish only love and allure to themselves things to be loved. Verrius Flaccus [says], because they are without a due (munus) and no obligations are owed to them, as if “amunia,” that is, “without fruit,” whence no fruit is paid out. From this also those rendering nothing are called “immunes.”

[34] Aprica loca quae sole gaudent, quasi ANEUFRIKES, id est sine frigore; sive quod sint aperto caelo.

[34] Apricous places which rejoice in the sun, as it were ANEUFRIKES, that is, without frigidity; or because they are open to the sky.

[35] Opaca vero loca, quasi operto caelo, aprico contraria.

[35] Shaded places, indeed, as if with the sky covered, are contrary to sunny ones.

[36] Lubricum dici locum ab eo quod ibi quis labitur; et lubricum dicitur non quod labitur, sed in quo labitur.

[36] A place is called ‘lubricum’ from the fact that someone slips there; and ‘lubricum’ is said not of that which slips, but of that in which one slips.

[37] Aestiva sunt loca umbrosa, quibus per aestatem vitant pecora solis ardorem. Statius (Theb. 1,363):

[37] Aestiva are shady places, by which during the summer the herds avoid the sun’s ardor. Statius (Thebaid 1,363):

Et umbrosi patuere aestiva Lycaei.

And the summer-quarters of umbrageous Lycaeus lay open.

[38] Navalia sunt loca ubi naves fabricantur. Hoc et textrinum vocatur.

[38] Navalia are places where ships are fabricated. This is also called a textrinum.

[39] Statio est ubi ad tempus stant naves; portus, ubi hiemant; inportunum autem, in quo nullum refugium, quasi nullus portus.

[39] A station is where ships stand for a time; a port is where they winter; an inportunum, however, is that in which there is no refuge, as if there were no port.

[40] Portus autem locus est ab accessu ventorum remotus, ubi hiberna opponere solent: et portus dictus a deportandis commerciis. Hunc veteres a baiolandis mercibus baias vocabant, illa declinatione a baia baias, ut a familia familias.

[40] A port, moreover, is a place removed from the access of winds, where they are accustomed to set up winter-quarters; and it is called a port from the deporting of commerce. This the ancients used to call baias from bearing merchandise, with that declension: from baia to baias, as from familia to familias.

[41] Litus est terra aquae et mari vicina: et dictum litus quia fluctu eliditur, vel quod aqua adluitur. Cicero in Topicis (32): 'Litus est qua fluctus eludit.'

[41] The shore is land neighboring to water and to the sea: and it is called shore because it is dashed by the wave, or because it is washed by water. Cicero in the Topics (32): 'The shore is where the wave sports.'

[42] Circumluvium locus quem aqua circumluit; adluvium consumptio riparum ex aquis. Margo est pars cuiuslibet loci, utputa maris; unde et nomen accepit. Maritima quasi maris intima.

[42] Circumluvium, a place which water washes around; adluvium, the consumption of banks by the waters. Margin is the part of any place, for example of the sea; whence it also received its name. Maritime, as if the inmost of the sea.

[43] Ostia ab ingressu et exitu fluminis dicta in mari. Continens perpetua terra nec ullo mari discreta, quem Graeci EPEIRON vocant.

[43] Ostia, in the sea, are so called from the ingress and egress of a river. The continent is continuous land, not separated by any sea, which the Greeks call EPEIRON.

IX. DE INFERIORIBVS.

9. ON THE LOWER THINGS.

[1] Specus est fossa sub terra qua prospici potest; SPELAIA Graece, speluncae Latine.

[1] A specus is a fosse beneath the earth through which one can look out; SPELAIA in Greek, speluncae in Latin.

[2] Spiracula appellata omnia loca pestiferi spiritus, quae Graeci CHARONEIA appellant vel 'ACHERONTEIA. Etiam Varro spiraculum dicit huiuscemodi locum; et spiracula ex eo dicuntur loca qua terra spiritum edit.

[2] All places of pestiferous breath are called spiracula, which the Greeks call CHARONEIA or 'ACHERONTEIA. Varro also calls a place of this sort a spiraculum; and from this they are called spiracula, places where the earth emits spirit/breath.

[3] Hiatus praeruptio terrae profunda, quasi itus. Proprie autem hiatus est hominis oris apertio, translata a feris quarum aviditas oris adapertione monstratur.

[3] A hiatus is a deep break-off of the earth, as if an “itus.” Properly, however, a hiatus is the aperture of a human mouth, transferred from wild beasts, whose avidity is shown by the wide opening of the mouth.

[4] Profundum proprie quasi cuius porro sit fundus. Abusive autem profundum vel sursum vel deorsum dicitur, ut (Virg. Aen. 1,58):

[4] Properly, the profound is, as it were, that whose bottom lies farther on. Abusively, however, “profound” is said either upward or downward, as (Virg. Aen. 1,58):

Maria ac terras caelumque profundum.

The seas and the lands and the profound heaven.

[5] Baratrum nimiae altitudinis nomen est: et dictum baratrum quasi vorago atra, scilicet a profunditate.

[5] Baratrum is a name of excessive depth; and it is called baratrum as if a black vorago, namely from profundity.

[6] Erebus inferorum profunditas atque recessus. Styx APO TOUSTUGEROS, id est a tristitia, dicta, eo quod tristes faciat vel quod tristitiam gignat.

[6] Erebus is the profundity and recess of the infernal regions. Styx is said from APO TOUSTUGEROS, that is, from sadness, because it makes people sad or because it begets sadness.

[7] Cocytus locus inferi, de quo Iob ita loquitur Š Cocytus autem nomen accepit Graeca interpretatione, a luctu et gemitu.

[7] Cocytus is a place of the underworld, about which Job speaks thus Š Moreover, Cocytus received its name by Greek interpretation, from mourning and groaning.

[8] Tartarus vel quia omnia illic turbata sunt, APO TOUTARTARIKSEIN, aut, quod est verius, APO TESTARACHES, id est a tremore frigoris, quod est algere et rigere, scilicet quia lucem solemque caret; quia neque illic vapores sunt, qui ex solis luce gignuntur, neque flatus, qui eiusdem motibus incitatur, sed perpetuus stupor; TARTARIKSEIN enim horrere et tremere apud Graecos legitur. Illic enim 'fletus et stridor dentium' (cf. Matth. 8,12).

[8] Tartarus, either because all things there are thrown into disorder, APO TOUTARTARIKSEIN, or, what is truer, APO TESTARACHES, that is, from the trembling of cold, which is to be chilled and to be stiff, namely because it lacks light and the sun; for neither are there vapors there, which are engendered from the sun’s light, nor breaths, which are stirred by the same’s motions, but a perpetual stupor; for TARTARIKSEIN is read among the Greeks to mean to shudder and to tremble. For there are “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (cf. Matt. 8:12).

[9] Gehenna est locus ignis et sulphuris, quem appellari putant a valle idolis consecrata, quae est iuxta murum Hierusalem, repleta olim cadaveribus mortuorum; ibi enim Hebraei filios suos inmolabant daemonibus, et appellabatur locus ipse Gehennon. Futuri ergo supplicii locus, ubi peccatores cruciandi sunt, huius loci vocabulo designatur. Duplicem autem esse Gehennam et ignis et frigoris.

[9] Gehenna is a place of fire and sulfur, which they think is so called from a valley consecrated to idols, which is next to the wall of Jerusalem, once filled with cadavers of the dead; for there the Hebrews immolated their sons to daemons, and the place itself was called Gehennon. Therefore the place of future punishment, where sinners are to be tortured, is designated by the name of this place. Moreover, Gehenna is twofold: both of fire and of cold.

[10] Inferus appellatur eo quod infra sit. Sicut autem secundum corpus, si ponderis sui ordinem teneant, inferiora sunt omnia graviora, ita secundum spiritum inferiora sunt omnia tristiora; unde et in Graeca lingua origo nominis, quo appellatur inferus, ex eo quod nihil suave habeat resonare perhibetur.

[10] The infernal is appellated because it is below. And just as, with respect to the body, if things keep the order of their own weight, all lower things are heavier, so, with respect to the spirit, all lower things are sadder; whence also in the Greek language the origin of the name by which the “inferus” is appellated is held to resonate from the fact that it has nothing sweet.

[11] Sicut autem cor animalis in medio est, ita et inferus in medio terrae esse perhibetur. Vnde et in Evangelio legimus (Matth. 12,40): 'In corde terrae.' Philosophi autem dicunt quod inferi pro eo dicantur quod animae hinc ibi ferantur.

[11] Just as the heart of an animal is in the middle, so too the underworld is held to be in the middle of the earth. Whence also in the Gospel we read (Matth. 12,40): 'In the heart of the earth.' The philosophers, moreover, say that the inferi are so called for this reason, that souls are carried from here to there.