CHAP. 40. (32.)—THE HELLESPONT AND MYSIA
The tide of the Hellespont now begins to run with greater violence, and the sea beats against the shore, undermining with its eddies the barriers that stand in its way, until it has succeeded in separating Asia from Europe. At this spot is the promontory which we have already mentioned as Trapeza1; ten miles distant from which is the city of Abydos2, where the straits are only seven stadia wide; then the town of Percote3; Lampsacus4, at first called Pityusa; the colony of Parium5, which Homer calls by the name of Adrastia; the town of Priapos6; the river Æsepus7; Zelia8; and then the Propontis9, that being the name given to the tract of sea where it enlarges. We then come to the river Granicus10, and the harbour of Artace11, where a town formerly stood. Beyond this is an island which Alexander joined to the continent, and upon which is Cyzicus12, a city of the Milesians, which was formerly called Arctonnesos13, Dolionis, and Dindymis; above it are the heights of Mount Dindymus14. We then come to the towns of Placia, Ariace15, and Scylace; in the rear of which places is Mount Olympus, known as the "Mysian Olympus," and the city of Olympena. There are also the rivers Horisius16 and Rhyndacus17, formerly called the Lycus; this last river rises in Lake Artynias, near Miletopolis, and receives the Macestos, and many other streams, dividing in its course Asia18 from Bithynia19.This country was at first called by the name of Cronia, after that, Thessalis, and then Malianda and Strymonis. The people of it are by Homer called Halizones20, from the fact that it was a nation begirt by the sea. There was formerly a vast city here, Attussa by name; at present there are twelve cities in existence; among which is Gordiucome21, otherwise Juliopolis; and, on the coast, Dascylos22. We then come to the river Gelbes23; and, in the interior, the town of Helgas, or Germanicopolis, which has also the other name of Booseœte24 Apamea25, now more generally known as Myrlea of the Colophonians: the river Etheleus also. the ancient boundary of Troas, and the commencement of Mysia. Next to this comes the gulf26 into which the river Ascanius flows, the town of Bryllion27, and the rivers Hylas and Cios, with a town of the same name as the last- mentioned river; it was founded by the Milesians at a place which was called Aseania of Phrygia, as an entrepôt for the trade of the Phrygians who dwelt in the vicinity. We may therefore look upon this as a not ineligible opportunity for making further mention of Phrygia.