Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/17

B. vin. c. in. 5. GREECE. ELIS. 9 we consider the commencement of the coast of Eleia. Pro- ceeding thence towards the west is Cyllene, 1 the naval arsenal of the Eleii, from whence is an ascent of 120 stadia to the pre- sent city. This Cyllene Homer mentions in these words, " Cyllenian Otus, chief of the Epeii," for he would not have given the title of chief of Epeii to one who came from the Arcadian mountain of this name. It is a village of moderate size, in which is preserved the ^Esculapius of Colotes, a statue of ivory, of admirable workmanship. Next to Cyllene is the promontory Chelonatas, 2 the most westerly point of the Peloponnesus. In front of it there is a small island and shoals .on the confines of Hollow Elis, and the territory of the Pisata3. From hence [Cyllene] to Cephallenia is a voyage of not more than 80 stadia. Somewhere on the above-mentioned confines is the river Elisson, or Elissa. 5. Between the Chelonatas and Cyllene the river Peneius empties itself, and that also called by the poet Sellei's, which flows from the mountain Pholoe. On this river is situated Ephyra, a city to be distinguished from the Thesprotian, Thessalian, and Corinthian Ephyras ; being a fourth city of this name, situated on the road leading to the Lasion sea- coast, and which may be either the same place as Boeonoa, (for it is the custom to call CEnoe by this name,) or a city near this, distant from Elis 120 stadia. This Ephyra seems to be the reputed birth-place of Astyochea, the mother of Tle- polemus, the son of Hercules, "Whom Hercules brought from Ephyra, from the river Selleis;" 3 (for this was the principal scene of the adventures of Her- cules ; at the other places called Ephyra, there is no river Selleis ;) hence came the armour of Meges, " Which Phyleus formerly brought from Ephyra, from the river Selleis;" 4 from this Ephyra came also mortal poisons. For Minerva says, that Ulysses went to Ephyra " In search of a mortal poison wherewith to anoint his arrows :" 5 And the suitors say of Telemachus ; " Or he will go to the rich country of Ephyra to bring back poison de- structive of our lives." 6 1 Chiarenza, in ruins. 2 Cape Tornese. 3 II. ii. 650. II. xv. 531. 5 Od. i. 261. 6 Od. ii. 328.