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CHAP. 13.—SARDINIA.

Leucothea comes next, and after it, but out of sight, as it lies upon the verge of the African Sea, Sardinia. It is situate somewhat less1 than eight miles from the nearest point of Corsica, and the Straits between them are even still more reduced by the small islands there situate, called the Cuniculariæ2, as also those of Phintonis3 and Fossæ, from which last the Straits themselves have obtained the name of Taphros4.

(7.) Sardinia extends, upon the east side, a distance of 188 miles, on the west 175, on the south 77, and on the north 125, being 565 miles in circumference. Its promontory of Caralis5 is distant from Africa 200, and from Gades 1400 miles. Off the promontory of Gordis6 it has two islands called the Isles of Hercules7, off that of Sulcis, the island of Enosis8, and off that of Caralis, Ficaria9. Some writers place Beleris not far from it, as also Callodis, and the island known as Heras Lutra10.

The most celebrated peoples of this island are the Ilienses11, the Balari, and the Corsi; and among its eighteen towns, there are those of the Sulcitani12, the Valentini13, the Neapoli- tani14, the Bosenses15, the Caralitani16, who enjoy the rights of Roman citizens, and the Norenses17. There is also one colony which is called Ad Turrim Libysonis18. Timæus has called this island Sandaliotis, on account of the similarity of its shape to the sole of a shoe, while Myrtilus has given it the name of Ichnusa19, from its resemblance to the print of a footstep. Opposite to the Gulf of Pæstum is Leucasia20, so called from a Siren who is buried there; opposite to Velia are Poiitia and Isacia, both known by one name, that of Œnotrides, a proof that Italy was formerly possessed by the Œnotrians. Opposite to Vibo are the little islands called Ithacesiæ21 from the watch-tower of Ulysses situate there.

1 The distance between is hardly five miles.

2 These rocks appear at the present day to be nameless. The old name seems to mean, the "Rabbit Warrens."

3 Phintonis, according to Hardouin, is the modern Isola di Figo, according to Mannert, Caprera. Cluver makes Fossæ to be the present Isola Rossa, while Mannert considers it to be the same with Santa Maddalena.

4 ταφρὸς being the Greek for the Latin word "fossa," the ordinary meaning of which is an "excavation."

5 Probably the Cape of Carbonara, from which however Africa is distant only 121 miles, and the gulf of Gades or Cadiz 980.

6 Now Capo Falcone.

7 Now Asinara or Zavara, and Isola Piana.

8 Now called Santo Antiocho, off La Punta dell' Ulga.

9 According to Cluver, the modern Coltelalzo.

10 The "Baths of Juno." The identity of these islands does not appear to have been ascertained.

11 Said by Pausanias to have been descended from persons who escaped on the fall of Troy under the command of Iolaüs.

12 Of the town of Sulcis. Its ruins are probably those seen at the village of Sulci, near the port Palma di Solo.

13 Their town was probably on the site of the present Iglesias.

14 Their town was probably either the present Napoli or Acqua di Corsari.

15 Their town is probably indicated by the ruins on the river Gavino.

16 Their town was Caralis, the present Cagliari.

17 Their town was probably Nora, the present Torre Forcadizo.

18 "At Libyso's Tower."

19 From the Greek ἴχνος, "a footstep."

20 Now La Licosa, a small rocky island.

21 Now Torricella, Praca, and Brace, with other rocks.

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  • Cross-references to this page (28):
    • Harper's, Antēnor
    • Harper's, Faleria
    • Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), A´DRIA
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    • Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), AU´XIMUM
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    • Smith's Bio, Diony'sius or Diony'sius the Elder or the Elder Diony'sius
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