Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/45

B. vni. c. iv. 5, 6. MESSENIA. 37 The Nedon, a different river from the Neda, flows through Laconia, and discharges its waters near Pherae. It has upon its banks a remarkable temple of the Nedusian Minerva. At Po3aessa also there is a temple of the Nedusian Minerva, which derives its name from a place called Nedon, 1 whence, they say, Teleclus colonized Pceaessa, 2 and Echeiae, and Tragium. 5. With respect to the seven cities promised to Achilles, we have already spoken of Cardamyle, and Pherae, and Pedasus. Enope, some say is Pellana ; others, some place near Carda- myle ; others, Gerenia. 3 Hira is pointed out near a mountain in the neighbourhood of Megalopolis 4 in Arcadia, on the road to Andania, which we have said is called by the poet CEcha- lia. Others say that the present Mesola was called Hira, which extends to the bay situated between Taygetum and Messenia. ^Epeia is now called Thuria, which we said bor- dered upon Pheroe. It is situated upon a lofty hill, whence its name. 5 The Thuriatic Gulf has its name from Thuria ; upon the gulf is a single city, named Rhium, opposite Taena- rum. Some say that Antheia is Thuria, and JEpeia Methone ; others, that Antheia is Asine, situated between Methone and Thuria, to which, of all the Messenian cities, the description, "with its rich pastures," is most appropriate. Near it on the sea is Corone. There are some writers who say that this town is called Pedasus by the poet. These cities are " all "near the sea ;" Cardamyle close to it ; Pherae at the distance of 5 stadia, having an anchorage, which is used in the summer. The rest are situated at unequal distances from the sea. 6. Near Corone, about the middle of the gulf, the river Pamisus 6 discharges itself, having, on the right hand, this city, and the rest in succession, the last of which, towards the west, are Pylus and Cyparissia, and between these is Erana, which some writers erroneously suppose to be the ancient 1 As Strabo remarks, in b. x., that the temple was built by Nestor on his return from Troy, Falconer suggests that it might have derived its name from the river Nedon, near Gerenia, the birth-place of Nestor. 2 In the island of Cos. 3 According to Pausanias, Gerenia is the Enope of Homer. 4 Hira in the time of Pausanias was called Abia (Palfeochora?). Some interpreters of Homer were misled by the name of a mountain, Ira, near Megalopolis, and placed there a city of the same name, but HiraPwas on the sea-coast. 5 -^Epys, aiirvg, lofty. 6 The Pirnatza.