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

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 trans- port ships may safely ride. Immediately above the city lies the Forum- Vulcani, 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 Dicaearchia is Neapolis, 2 [founded 3 originally] by the Cumcei, but afterwards being peopled by Chalcidians, and certain Pithecussreans and Athenians, 4 it was on this account denominated Naples. 5 Here is pointed out the tomb of Par- 1 La Solfa-terra. 2 Naples. 3 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 Acheloias : aequore cujus Regnavere diu cantus, quum dulce per undas Exitium miseris caneret non prospera nautis. Sil. Ital. xii. 33. Scymnus of Chios mentions both the Phocaei and Cumaei as its founders. Stephanus of Byzantium attributes its foundation to the Rhodians ; their proximity is favourable to the claims of the Cumaei, and hence the con- nexion of Naples with Euboea, 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 aethera 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 aequora 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. 4 Probably those mentioned in a fragment of Timaeus, quoted by Tzetzes, (ad Lycophr. v. 732 737,) as having migrated to Italy under the command of Diotimus, who also instituted the XafjnradijQopia, which was still observed at Naples in the time of Statius : Tuque Actoea Ceres, cursu cui semper anhelo Votivam taciti quassamus lampada mystae. Silv. iy, 8, 50. 5 Neapolis, or Naples, signifying the new city.