Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/379

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B. V. C. IV. § 7.
ITALY. CAMPANIA.
365

the facile nature of the sand, which contains much gypsum, and will cement and consolidate thoroughly. For mixing this sand with chalk-stones they construct moles in the sea, thus forming bays along the open coast, in which the largest transport ships may safely ride. Immediately above the city lies the Forum-Vulcani,[p 1] a plain surrounded with hills which seem to be on fire, having in many parts mouths emitting smoke, frequently accompanied by a terrible rumbling noise; the plain itself is full of drifted sulphur.

7. After Dicæarchia is Neapolis,[p 2] [founded[1] originally] by the Cumæi, but afterwards being peopled by Chalcidians, and certain Pithecussæans and Athenians,[2] it was on this account denominated Naples.[3] Here is pointed out the tomb of

  1. ↑ Innumerable accounts exist relative to the foundation of this city. The most prevalent fiction was that the siren Parthenope was cast upon its shores, and from her it derived the name, by which it was usually designated by the ancient poets.
    Sirenum dedit una suum memorabile nomen
    Parthenope muris Acheloïas: æquore cujus
    Regnavere diu cantus, quum dulce per undas
    Exitium miseris caneret non prospera nautis. Sil. Ital. xii. 33.

    Scymnus of Chios mentions both the Phocæi and Cumæi as its founders. Stephanus of Byzantium attributes its foundation to the Rhodians; their proximity is favourable to the claims of the Cumæi, and hence the connexion of Naples with Eubœa, alluded to by Statius, who was born there.
    At te nascentem gremio mea prima recepit
    Parthenope, dulcisque solo tu gloria nostro
    Reptasti; nitidum consurgat ad æthera tellus
    Eubois, et pulchra tumeat Sebethos alumna. Silv. i. 2.

    A Greek inscription mentions a hero named Eumelus as having had divine honours paid to him, possibly as founder of the city. [See Capaccio, Hist. Nap. p. 105. Martorelli de’ Fenici primi abitatori di Napoli.] This may illustrate the following lines,—
    Di patrii, quos auguriis super æquora magnis
    Littus ad Ausonium devexit Abantia classis,
    Tu ductor populi longe emigrantis Apollo,
    Cujus adhuc volucrem leva cervice sedentem
    Respiciens blande felix Eumelis adorat. Silv. iv. 8, 45.
  2. ↑ Probably those mentioned in a fragment of Timæus, quoted by Tzetzes, (ad Lycophr. v. 732–737,) as having migrated to Italy under the command of Diotimus, who also instituted the λαμπαδηφορία, which was still observed at Naples in the time of Statius:
    Tuque Actæa Ceres, cursu cui semper anhelo
    Votivam taciti quassamus lampada mystæ. Silv. iv, 8, 50.
  3. ↑ Neapolis, or Naples, signifying the new city.
  1. ↑ La Solfa-terra.
  2. ↑ Naples.
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