Book 11
2.9
Beyond Corocondame is a large lakeAk Tengis. which is called from the place Corocondametis. It discharges itself into the sea at the distance of 10 stadia from the village. A branchAnother branch of the Kuban. of the river Anticeites empties itself into the lake, and forms an island, which is surrounded by the waters of the lake, of the Maeotis, and of the river. Some persons give this river the name of Hypanis,The Kuban, anciently also the Vardanus. as well as to thatThe Bog. near the Borysthenes.The Dnieper.
2.10
Upon sailingIt is probable that the Kuban Lake is here confounded with, or considered a portion of, the Lake Ak Tengis. Considering the intricacy of all this coast, the changes that have taken place, and the absence of accurate knowledge, both in ancient and modern times, of these unfrequented parts, much must be left to conjecture. The positions therefore assigned to ancient cities are doubtful. The names indeed are inserted in Kiepert’s maps, but without the assistance of recent travellers it would be hazardous to pretend to fix upon their exact sites. into the Corocondametis, we meet with Phanagoria, a considerable city, Cepi, Hermonassa, and Apa turum, the temple of Venus (Apatura). Of these cities Phanagoria and Cepi are situated in the above-mentioned island on the left hand at the entrance of the lake; the others are on the right hand in Sindica beyond the Hypanis. There is Gorgipia,ἔστι δὲ καὶ γοοͅγιπία. Some word or words appear to be wanting here. Kiepert assigns a place to this name, but it seems doubtful whether a place or a district is to be understood. Below, § 14, the Sindic harbour and city are mentioned, which may have been situated at Sound-jouk-kale. D’ Anville places them here or at Anapa, but the contour of the coast in his map does not resemble that of any modern maps. but the royal seat of the Sindi is in Sindica near the sea, and Aborace.
