[20] Demetrius of Callatis, speaking of the earthquakes which formerly occurred throughout the whole of Greece, states that a great portion of the Lichadian Islands and of Kenæum1 were submerged; that the hot springs of Ædepsus2 and Thermopylæ were suppressed for three days, and that when they commenced to run again those of Ædepsus gushed from new fountains. That at Oreus3 on the sea-coast the wall and nearly seven hundred houses fell at once. That the greater part of Echinus,4 Phalara,5 and Heraclæa of Trachis6 were thrown down, Phalara being overturned from its very foundations. That almost the same misfortune occurred to the Lamians7 and inhabitants of Larissa; that Scarpheia8 was overthrown from its foundations, not less than one thousand seven hundred persons being swallowed up, and at Thronium9 more than half that number. That a torrent of water gushed forth taking three directions, one to Scarphe and Thronium, another to Thermopylæ, and a third to the plains of Daphnus in Phocis. That the springs of [many] rivers were for several days dried up; that the course of the Sperchius10 was changed, thus rendering navigable what formerly were highways; that the Boagrius11 flowed through another channel; that many parts of Alope, Cynus, and Opus were injured,12 and the castle of Œum, which commands the latter city, entirely overturned. That part of the wall of Elateia13 was thrown down; and that at Alponus,14 during the celebration of the games in honour of Ceres, twenty-five maidens, who had mounted a tower to enjoy the show exhibited in the port, were precipitated into the sea by the falling of the tower. They also record that a large fissure was made [by the water] through the midst of the island of Atalanta,15 opposite Eubœa,16 sufficient for ships to sail in; that the course of the channel was in places as broad as twenty stadia between the plains; and that a trireme being raised [thereby] out of the docks, was carried over the walls.
1 A western promontory of Eubœa, called by the modern Greeks Kabo Lithari. The Lichadian Islands, which now bear the name of Litada, are close by.
2 A city of Eubœa; hood. Dipso.
3 In Eubœa, now Orio.
4 Now Echino; belonged to Thessaly and was near the sea.
5 Now Stillida; situated on the Bay of Zeitoun.
6 A little town situated in a plain amongst the mountains. It received its name from a tradition that Hercules abode there during the time that the pyre on Mount Œta was being prepared, into which he cast himself.
7 Lamia in Thessaly.
8 A city of the Epi-Cnemidian Locrians in Achaia; its present name is Bondoniza.
9 A town close to Scarpheia; its ruins are said to be still visible at Palaio Kastro.
10 Now Agriomela or Ellada, a river descending from Mount Œta, and emptying itself into the Bay of Zeitoun.
11 A torrent near Thronium; its present name is Boagrio.
12 Three cities of the Opuntian Locrians; Cynus, the port of Opus, is now called Kyno.
13 One of the principal cities of Phocis, near the river Cephissus; a little village called Leuta stands on the ancient site.
14 Probably the Alpene in Locris mentioned by Herodotus.
15 The modern Talanta.
16 Egripo.
The Geography of Strabo. Literally translated, with notes, in three volumes. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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