The historie of the vvorld: commonly called, The naturall historie of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first [-second] tome

CHAP. VII.

¶ Greece and Attica.

AT the streights of Isthmus beginneth Hellas, of our countrymen called Graecia: the first tract thereof is Attica, in old time named Acte. It reacheth vnto Isthmus on that part [unspec D] thereof which is called Megaris of the colony Megara, or against Pagae. These 2 townes as Peloponnesus lieth out in length, are seated on either hand, as it were vpon the shoulders of Hellas. The Pageans, and more than so, the Aegosthenienses lie annexed to the Magarensians, and owe seruice to them. In the coast thereof is the hauen Schoenus. Townes, Sidus, Cremyon, Scironia rocks for three miles long, Geranea, Megara, and Eleusin. There were besides, Oenoa and Probalinthus, which now are not to be seen, 52 myles from Isthmus. Pyraeeus and Phalera, two hauens ioined to Athens by a wall, with in the land fiue miles. A free citie this is, and nee∣deth no more any mans praise: so noble and famous it is otherwise, beyond all measure. In At∣tica be these fountains, Cephissia, Larine, Callirrhoe, and Enneacreunos. Mountains, Brilessus, Megialcus, Icarius, Hymettus, & Lyrabetus: also the riuer Ilissos. From Pyraeeum 42 miles off, [unspec E] is the promontorie Sunium, likewise the promontorie Doriscum. Also Potamos and Brauron, townes in times past. The village Rhamnus, and the place Marathon, the plain Thriastius, the town Melita and Oropus, in the confines or marches of Boeotia. Vnto which belong Anthedon, Onchestos, Thespre a free town Lebadea: and Thebes surnamed Boeotia, not inferior in fame and renown to Athens, as being the natiue country, & as men would haue it, of two gods, Liber and Hercules. Also they attribute the birth of the Muses in the wood Helicon. To this Thebes, is assigned the forest Cithaeron, and the riuer Ismenus. Moreouer fountains in Boeotia, Oedipo∣dium, Psammate, Dirce, Epigranea, Arethusa, Hippocrene, Aganippe, and Gargaphiae. Moun∣tains ouer and besides the forenamed, Mycalessus, Adylisus, Acontius. The rest of the towns be∣tweene Megara & Thebes, Eleutherae, Haliartus. Plateae, Pherae, Aspledon, Hyle, Thisbe, Ery∣thrae, [unspec F] Glissas, and Copae. Neere to the riuer Cephissus, Lamia, and Anichia: Medeon, Phligone, Grephis, Coronaea, Chaeronia. But in the outward borders, beneath Thebes, Ocale, Elaeon, Sco∣los, Scoenos, Peteon, Hyrie, Mycalessus, Hyreseon, Pteleon, Olyros, Tanagia, a free State; and in

the very mouth of Euripus, which the Island Euboea maketh by the opposite site thereof, Au∣lis, [unspec G] so renowned for the large hauen that it hath. The Boeotians in old time were named Hyan∣tes. The Locrians also are named withall Epicnemidij, in times past Letegetes, through whom the riuer Cephissus runneth into the sea. Townes, Opus (whereof commeth the gulfe Opunti∣nus) and Cynus. Vpon the sea coast of Phocis, one & no more, to wit Daphnus. Within-forth among the Locrians, Elatea, and vpon the bank of Cephissus (as we haue said) Lilea: & toward Delphos, Cnenius and Hiampolis: again, the marches of Locri, wherein stand Larymna and Thronium, neere vnto which the riuer Boagrius falleth into the sea. Townes, Narycion, Alope, Scarphia: after this, the vale called of the people there dwelling, Maliacus Sinus, wherein bee these townes, Halcyone, Econia, and Phalara. Then Doris, wherin are Sperchios, Erineon, Boi∣on, Pindus, Cytinum. On the back-side of Doris is the mountain Oeta. Then followeth Aemo∣nia that so often hath changed name. For one and the same hath bin called Pelasgicum, Argos, [unspec H] and Hellas, Thessalia also, and Dryopis, and euermore tooke name of the kings. In it was borne a king called Graecus, of whom Greece bare the name: there also was Hellen borne, from whence came the Hellenes. These being but one people, Homer hath giuen three names vnto, that is to say, Myrmidones, Hellenes, and Achaei. Of these, they be called Phthiotae who inhabit Doris. Their towns be Echinus, in the very gullet & entrance of the riuer Sperchius: and the streights of Thermopylae, so named by reason of the waters: and foure miles from thence Heraclea, was called Trachin. There is the hill Callidromus: and the famous townes, Hellas, Halos, Lamia, Phthia, and Arne.