experienced an earthquake, down to the time of M. Varro[1] Mucianus however has informed us, that it has been twice so visited. Aristotle states that this island received its name from the fact of its having so suddenly made its appearance[2] on emerging from the sea; Aglaosthenes, however, gives it the name of Cynthia, and others of Ortygia[3], Asteria, Lagia, Chlamydia, Cynthus, and, from the circumstance of fire having been first discovered here, Pyrpile. Its circumference is five miles only; Mount Cynthus[4] here raises his head.
Next to this island is Rhene[5], which Anticlides calls by the name of Celadussa, and Callidemus, Artemite; Scyros[6], which the old writers have stated to be twenty miles in cir- cumference, but Mucianus 160; Oliaros[7]; and Paros[8], with a city of the same name, distant from Delos thirty-eight miles, and famous for its marble[9]; it was first called Platea,
- ↑ That is, according to Yarro, whose statement is ridiculed by Seneca. Some of the editors, however, punctuate this passage differently, making it to mean, " the only island that has never experienced an earthquake. Mucianus however has informed us, that down to the time of M. Yarro, it has been twice so visited."
- ↑ From its then becoming (
Greek characters), "plain," or "manifest." It was after the fall of Corinth that Delos became so famous for its commerce. Its bronze was in great request.
- ↑ From (Greek characters), "a quail"; the legend being, that Latona was changed into that bird by Jupiter, in order to effect her escape thither from the anger of Juno. Its name of Asteria was derived from (Greek characters), "a star," either inconsequence of its being devoted to the worship of the great luminary Apollo, or of its being considered by the gods the star of the earth. It was also called Lagia, from (Greek characters), "a hare," that animal abounding there; and Cynæthus, from (Greek characters), "a dog," it being famous for its hounds.
- ↑ A bare granite rock, not more than 500 feet in height. The island is now a mass of ruins; a great part of its remains having been carried away in the middle ages to Venice and Constantinople.
- ↑ Divided by a strait of four stadia in width from Delos. Nicias connected the two islands by a bridge. Its name of Celadussa was said to be derived from the noise of the waves, (Greek characters), and of Artemite, from Artemis, or Diana.
- ↑ Now Syra; famous for its wine and corn.
- ↑ Now Antiparos; famous for its stalactite grotto, which is not mentioned by the ancient writers.
- ↑ Now Paro; south of Delos and west of Naxos. The ruins of its town are still to be seen at the modem Paroikia. The Parian Chronicle, inscribed on marble, and containing a chronicle of Grecian history from Cecrops, B.C. 1582, to B.C. 261, was found here. It is preserved at Oxford.
- ↑ Chiefly obtained from a mountain called Marpessa.
