Kitap 17
3.16
About the middle of the gulf of Carthage is the island Corsura.Pantellaria. On the other side of the strait opposite to these places is Sicily and Lilybaeum,Marsala. at the distance of (about) 1500 stadia; for this is said to be the distance from Lilybaeum to Carthage. Not far from Corsura and Sicily are other islands, among which is Aegimurus.Kramer is of opinion that this passage from the beginning of the section is an interpolation. Cossura (the island Pantellaria) is nowhere else spelt Corsura; Cossuros is the spelling observed immediately below. Its distance from Aspis is differently stated in b. vi. c. ii. § 11, to be 88 miles from Aspis. Aegimurus is the small island Zembra, near Cape Bon; near it is also another small low rocky island. From the shape and appearance of the former, more especially in some positions, we may attribute the name Arae (altars), given to them, as in Pliny: Aegimuree Arae, scopuli verius quam insulae; and they are the Arae of Virgil, Aen. i. 108. From Carthage there is a passage of 60 stadia to the nearest opposite coast, from whence there is an ascent of 120 stadia to Nepheris, a fortified city built upon a rock. On the same gulf as Carthage, is situated a city Tunis; hot springs and stone quarries are also found there; then the rugged promontory Hermaea,i. e. sacred to Mercury. Cape Bon. on which is a city of the same name; then Neapolis; then Cape Taphitis,Cape Aclibia, from the Latin Clypea. B. vi. c. 2, § 11. on which is a hillock named Aspis, from its resemblance (to a shield), at which place Agathocles, tyrant of Sicily, collected inhabitants when he made his expedition against Carthage. These cities were destroyed by the Romans, together with Carthage. At the distance of 400 stadia from Taphitis is an island Cossuros, with a city of the same name, lying opposite to the river Selinus in Sicily. Its circuit is 150 stadia, and its distance from Sicily about 600 stadia. Melite,Malta. an island, is 500 stadia distant from Cossuros. Then follows the city Adrumes,Sousah. with a naval arsenal; then the Taracheiae, numerous small islands; then the city Thapsus.Demass. and near it Lopadussa,Lampedusa. an island situated far from the coast; then the promontory of Ammon Balithon, near which is a look-out forKramer’s proposed emendation is followed. the approach of thunny; then the city Thena, lying at the entrance of the Little Syrtis.Gulf of Cabes. There are many small cities in the intervening parts, which are not worthy of notice. At the entrance of the Syrtis, a long island stretches parallel to the coast, called Cercinna; it is of considerable size, with a city of the same name; there is also another smaller island Cercinnitis.
