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10 4B6 PLINY's NATURAL HISTOHT. [Book V. Botrys (>igarta^ Trieris^ Calamos^ Tripolis^ inhabited by the Tyriaiis, Sidonians, and Aradians ; Orthosia^ the river Eleutleros^ the towns of Simyra and Marathos^ ; and opposite, Arados^, a town seven stadia long, on an island, distant 200 paces from the mainland. After passing through the country in which the before-named mountains end and the plains that lie between, Mount Bargylus'" is seen to rise. CHAP. 18. — STEIA ANTIOCHIA. Here Phoenicia ends, and Syria recommences. The towns situate at the foot of Lebanon. The ancient name seems to have been Gebal, and the Geblites are mentioned in Joshua, xiii. 5 ; 1 Kings, v. 18 ; and Ezek. xxvii. 9. The ruins of the ancient city are very extensive. Astarte and Isis seem to have been worshipped here. 1 Now Batrun, a small town about twelve miles north of Byblus, said to have been founded by Ithobal, king of Tyre. 2 Now Gazir, according to D'AnviUe. 3 Twelve miles from Tripohs. Its name would seem to bear reference to a trireme, or galley. It has been said that this is the place referred to in the Book of Daniel, xi. 30. 4 Polybius speaks of this place as being burnt by Antiochus. Its site still beai-s the name of Calamon, according to D'AnviUe. 5 This properly consisted of three distinct cities, 600 feet apart, each with its own walls, but all connected in a common constitution ; having one place of assembly, and forming in reality one city only. They were colonies,, as here suggested by PHny, of Tyre, Sidon, and Arados respec- tively. It is still a considerable place, called Tarabolos, or Tarablis, by the Turks. 6 Its site is stiU known as Ortosa, or Tortosa. ^ Probably the same as the Nalu'-el-Kebir, or " Great River," to the north of Tripolis. It may have derived its Greek name, which signifies "free," from its similarity to that given to it by the people of the countrv. 8 This was an important city, near Antarados. Its nuns are spoken of as very extensive. Simyra is stiU caUed Sumira. " Now called Ruad ; an island off the northern coast of Phoenicia, at a distance of twenty stadia from the mainland, Pliny falling short here in his measurement. The city of Arados was very populous, though built on a mere rock ; and, contrary to Eastern custom, the houses con- tained many stories. It is spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel under the name of Arvad : see c. xxvii. 8, 11. In importance, it ranked next to the cities of Tyre and Sidon. ^^ Its modern name does not appear to be known.