PROMONTORIES.-Ampelos, Sanium, near which was a mine of silver, from which the Athenians derived an immense revenue. Scyllæum, Malea (St. Angelo), Tenarum (Matapan,) Araxum

ISLANDS.-In the Ægæan Sea, west of Thessaly, were several small islands, among which were Halonessus Dromo,) Prepanthus, Scopetas (Scopetus), and Sciathus (Sciathe).

The large island of Eubon (Negropont), was separated from the continent by the Straits of Euripus, which were so narrow as to admit a bridge to be built over them. The ebb and flow

of the tide was here said to be seven times in a day and night. In the Saronic Gulf were Salamis (Colouri), and Egina (Eugia.) These were surrounded by smaller islands, which rendered the navigation dangerous.

East of Peloponnesus were the CYCLADES, SO called from being in the form of a circle round Delos. The chief of these Islands were, Naxos (Naxia), which was fertile in wines. Paros, distinguished for its beautiful white marbles; Andros (Andro), Tenos (Teno), Myconus (Myconi), Ceos, Cythuos (Cephanto), and Melos.

The Island of Cythera (Cerigo), was south of Laconia.

In the Ionian Sea were Zacynthus (Zante), Cephalenia (Cefalonia), Ithaca (Theati), Corcyta (Corfu), and Leucadia (Lefkathia, or St. Maura). This island was formerly a penin sula. On the south-west point of it a white rock projects into the sea, which gave name to the island.*

Creta or Crete (Candia), was the largest island belonging to Greece. It was mountainous and woody, with fertile valleys interspersed. It produced chalk, and was thence called Creta. It was once famous for its hundred cities, of which the principal were Gnossus (Candia), Gortyna, and Cydonia.

MOUNTAINS. The distinguishing feature of Arcadia was its mountains. The principal were, Mount Menalus, Erymanthus, Stymphalus, and Cyllene. In Laconia was Taygetus (Mountains of the Mainotes). In Græcia Propria was Pentelicus, celebrated for its marble quarries, Hymettus for producing honey, and also the mountains of Citharon, Helicon, and Par

nassus.

In the east were on the west, Pin

Thessaly was surrounded by mountains. Pelion and Ossa; on the north, Olympus; dus, and on the south, Othrys and Eta. Mount Ithos was in Macedonia.

*It was fabled that a leap into the sea from this rock was a cure for the passion of love; hence it was called the Lover's Leap.

The Acro Ceraunii mountains in Epirus are so called from their tops being struck with thunder. They were surrounded by rocks which projected into the sea and were dangerous to mariners; from this place was the shortest passage to Italy.

RIVERS.-In Peloponnesus were the Inachus, Eurotas, Alpheus and Peneus (Belvidere). The Crathis received the waters of the Styx.*

In Græcia Propria the Evenus (Fidari), was in Etolia; the Cephissus which emptied into Lake Copais, the Asopus and Thermodon in Boeotia; in Attica, Athens was situated at the junction of the Ilissus and Cephissus.

In Epirus were the Acheron and Cocytus near Lake Avernus.t

In Thessaly the Apidanus and Enipeus emptied into the Peneus. From Larissa to the Egæan sea, the Peneus, enclosed between Mount Ossa and Olympus, was narrow and rapid. Along this passage was the beautiful Vale of Tempe distinguished for its delightful temperature and picturesque

scenery.

In Macedonia the principal rivers were the Strymon (Jeurboli), Axius (Vardar), Erigon, Haliacmon and Echedorus, said not to be sufficient to supply the army of Xerxes with

water.

ITALIA OR ITALY.

ANCIENT Italy, next to Greece, is the most interesting coun try of which history gives an account.

The arts and sciences, originating among the Greeks, was by them taught to the Romans; and through this channel, has been conveyed to us.

The Roman empire at its greatest extent, was the most powerful which the world has yet witnessed; and Rome, its capital, the most populous and splendid city.

CIVIL DIVISIONS.-The three large divisions of Italy were Cisalpine Gaul, Italia Propria, and Magna Græcia. Cisalpine Gaul was bounded on the north by the Alps, on the east by the

*These waters were said to be so cold and deadly that they proved fatal to those who tasted them. Their wonderful properties suggested the idea that it was a river of hell, especially as it disappeared a little below its fountain head, From these it is supposed Homer took his names of the infernal rivers. See Map No. 3.

Adriatic Gulf; on the south by the river Rubicon, a line drawn from the Rubicon to the Gulf Ligusticus, and the Gulf Ligusticus; and on the west by the Alps. Italia Propria extended from the Rubicon to the Gulf of Urias. The southern part

for a short time only retained the name of Magna Græcia, and was then included in Italy Proper.

The chief divisions of Cisalpine Gaul were

Whose principal cities were Tergeste (Trieste), Patavium (Padua), Aquileia.

Ravenna retains its ancient name.

Mutina (Modena).

Venetia, {

Ligones,
Boii,

Liguria,

Genua (Genoa), Nice (Nice).

Taurini,

Insubres,

Etruria,

Latium,

Campania,

Lucania,

Bruttium,

Calabria,

Apulia,

Picenum,

Augusta Taurinorum (Turin).

Mediolanum (Milan), Ticinum (Pavia).

DIVISIONS OF ITALY PROPER.

Florentia (Florence), Portus Herculis (Leghorn), Vei.

ROME (See description of cities) Tibur (Tivoli), where is the great cascade of the Anio, Alba Longa, Appii Forum, Praneste.

Neapolis (Naples), Cuma, Puteoli, Capua, (Capua), Herculaneum, Pompeii. Pastum.

Rhegium (Reggio), Sybaris.

Hydruntum (Otranto), Brundusium, remark

able for the excellence of its harbour.

From

these two places was the shortest passage to Greece.

Venusia (Venosa), the Canna.

Umbria, Spoletium (Spoletto).

GULFS.-Ligusticus (Genoa), Crater (Naples), Pæstanus (Salerno), Laiis (Polecastro), Tarentum (Tarento), Urias (Manfredonia), Tergeste (Trieste), Adriatic Sea (Gulf of Venice).

RIVERS.-Padus (Po). Its branches were the Trebia, Tavus, Gabellas, Rhenus (Rheno), Mincius (Mincio), Addua (Adda), Ticinus (Ticeno). Besides the Padus and its branches, were the Arnus (Arno), Tiberis (Tiber), Liris, Metaurus, Aufidus, Rubicon.

ISLANDS.-Sicily, from its triangular figure sometimes called Trinaria, is the largest and most important island in the Mediterranean; and was from its fertility formerly called the granary of the Roman empire. Its chief cities were Syracuse (Syracuse), Hybla, famous for its honey. Messana (Messina), Panormus (Palermo), Catana (Catania), Agrigentum, and Lilybæum. Mount Etna retains its ancient name. The other islands adjacent to Italy, were Sardinia or Ichnusa, Corsica or Cyrnus, Ilva (Elba), which abounded in iron.

The Eolia or Vulcania. Lipari Isles, famous for the volcano of Strombolo or Strongyle (Stromboli), and Melite (Malta).

LAKES. The lakes of Italy were more remarkable for their beauty than their extent. The principal were Verbanus (Maggiore), Larius (Como), Benacus (Gardo), Fucinus (Celano), and Thrasymenus.

PROMONTORIES.-Herculis (Spartivento) Japygium (Cape

Di Leuco.)

On the Italian side of the straits of Messina, anciently called Fretum Siculum, was Scylla, a rocky point, and on the Sicilian side was Charybdis, a vast whirlpool.

BRITANNIA INCLUDING CALEDONIA.*

THIS Country was also called Albion, from the white rocks on its coast. It was divided by the Romans, who effected the conquest of the southern part about the time of the Christian era, into Britannia Romania or Roman Britain, and Britannia Barbara or Barbarous Britain. The last was the northern part, and was also called Caledonia. It was inhabited by the Caledonians and Picts, so called because they painted their bodies.

The Scoti or Scots are not mentioned by writers till some centuries after the Christian era, and are supposed to have come from Ireland.

The Caledonians preserved in the northern extremity of the island, their wild independence; for which they were not less indebted to their poverty than their valour. The Romans, who, though masters of the fairest and most wealthy part of the globe, had taken much pains to subdue the southern part of the island, turned with contempt from these northern regions, which

* See Map No. 2.

they described as a country of gloomy hills, assailed by wintry tempests; of lakes concealed in a blue mist; and of cold and lonely heaths, over which the deer of the forest were chased by a troop of half-naked barbarians.

When the Romans invaded Britain, it was divided into a number of small independent states. At that time they had hardly any thing answering to our ideas of a city or town. Their dwellings, like those of the ancient Germans, were scattered sometimes on the banks of a rivulet, and sometimes on the skirts of a wood, according as their object was water or game.

The walls built by the Romans were chains of forts, to secure their conquests against the Caledonians. That of Antoninus extended from the Frith of Forth to the Clyde; that of Adrian, from Solway Frith to the Tyne.

The four principal tribes of Britain were, the Brigantes, Silures, Iceni, and Belge. The sections of the country which each inhabited was called by the name of the tribe.

MOUNTAINS.-The Grampian Hills were the only ones to which the Romans gave names.

SEAS.-Britanicus Oceanus (English channel), Verginium Mare (St. George's channel), Mare Hibernicus (Irish Sea.) STRAITS.-Tretum Gallicum (Straits of Dover).

RIVERS.-Thamesis (Thames), Sabrina (Severn).

CITIES and TOWNS.-Londineum (London), Eboracum (York), Aqua Solis (Bath), Venta Belgarum (Winchester), Debris (Dover), Alatra Castra (Edinburgh), Verulanium (Verulam), Lemanis (Lime), supposed to be the place where Casar first landed.

ISLANDS.-Hibernia (Ireland), whose capital was Eblana (Dublin), Vectis (Wight), Capiterides (Islands of Scilly), famous in former days for tin; Mona (Anglesea), Ebudes (Hebrides), Orcades (Orkney Islands).

PROMONTORIES.-Bolerium (Land's End), Ocrinima (Lizard's Point).

GALLIA OR GAUL.

The Romans

THE Greeks called this country Galatia. named it Gallia: its inhabitants gave it the name of Celtica. The Romans considered it as being divided by the Alps into two parts, of which, that nearest Rome was called Cisalpine Gaul, and that beyond the Alps, Transalpine Gaul.