[6] Ephorus relates that Miletus was first founded and fortified by the Cretans on the spot above the sea-coast where at present the ancient Miletus is situated, and that Sarpedon conducted thither settlers from the Miletus in Crete,1 and gave it the same name; that Leleges were the former occupiers of the country, and that afterwards Neleus built the present city. The present city has four harbours, one of which will admit a fleet of ships.2 The citizens have achieved many great deeds, but the most important is the number of colonies which they established. The whole Euxine, for instance, and the Propontis, and many other places, are peopled with their settlers. Anaximenes of Lampsacus says, that the Milesians colonized both the island Icarus and Lerus, and Limnæ on the Hellespont, in the Chersonesus; in Asia, Abydus, Arisba, and Pæsus; on the island of the Cyziceni, Artace and Cyzicus; in the interior of the Troad, Scepsis. We have mentioned, in our particular description of places, other cities which this writer has omitted. Both the Milesians and Delians invoke Apollo Ulius, as dispensing health and curing diseases; for οὔλειν3 is to be in health, whence οὐλή4 a wound healed, and the phrase in Homer,5 οὖλέ τε καὶ μέγα χαῖοͅε, ‘health and good welcome;’ for Apollo is a healer, and Artemis has her name from making persons ἀοͅτεμέας, or sound. The sun, also, and moon are associated with these deities, since they are the causes of the good qualities of the air; pestilential diseases, also, and sudden death are attributed to these deities.
1 According to Pausanias, vii. 2, a friend of Sarpedon, named Miletus, conducted the colony from Crete, founded Miletus, and gave his name to it. Before his arrival the place bore the name of Anactoria, and more anciently Lelegis.
2 More than 80, according to Pliny, v. 29.
3 To be well.
4 Hence the English weal, the mark of a stripe.
5 Od. xxiv. 402.
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