Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/488

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474
STRABO.
CASAUB. 308.

Tauric or Scythian Chersonese.[p 1] This, according to some, is 360 stadia across. The Putrid Lake[1] is said to extend 4000 stadia (in circumference), and forms part of the [Palus] Mæotis on its western side, with which it communicates by a large opening. It abounds in marshy tracts, and is scarcely navigable with “sewn”[2] boats. The shallower parts are soon uncovered, and again covered with water, by the force of the wind; but the marsh will not bear boats of a deeper draught. In the bay are three small islands; and in sailing along the coast, some shallows are met with, and rocks which rise above water.

2. On the left in sailing out of the bay [Carcinites] there is a small town and another harbour[3] belonging to the people of the Chersonese; for in coasting along the bay, there projects towards the south a large promontory, which is a part of the great Chersonese. Upon it stands a city of the Heracleotæ, who are a colony from Heraclea[p 2] in the Euxine; it bears the same name, Chersonesus, as the territory. It is distant from the Dniester,[p 3] in following the coast, 4400 stadia. In this city is a temple of the Virgin, some goddess,[4] after whom the promontory, which is in front of the city, at the distance of 100 stadia, is called Parthenium. It has a shrine of the goddess and a statue. Between the city[5] and the promontory are three harbours; next is the Old city Chersonesus in ruins; then follows a harbour with a narrow entrance. It was called Symbolon Limen, or Signal Harbour; and here principally was carried on a system of piracy against those who took

  1. ↑ The Sivash, or Putrid Lake. It communicates at the present day, not by a large opening, but by the narrow strait of Yenitche, or Tonka, with the Sea of Azof, (the Palus Mæotis,) from which it is separated by the Tonka, or Tongue of Arabat.
  2. ↑ ῥαπτοῖς πλοίοις. Boats probably composed of frame-work covered with hides.
  3. ↑ Casaubon suggests, and Gossellin adopts, the reading καλὸς λιμὴν, Fair Haven, for ἄλλος λιμὴν, another harbour. Whatever harbour was meant, its situation is uncertain.
  4. ↑ In speaking of the Virgin as “some goddess,” it may be doubted whether Diana is here meant, or some Scythian or Eastern divinity. Parthenium, a village, is mentioned, c. 4, 5. The scene of the Iphigenia in Tauris of Euripides is laid some where on these shores.
  5. ↑ The New Chersonesus, Cape Cherson, and the three small harbours near Khut.
  1. ↑ The Crimea.
  2. ↑ Tereklias.
  3. ↑ The ancient Tyras.
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