The Geography of Strabo, Volume 1 (of 3)

when he says that Æolus is the steward of the winds;[2363] however, we have formerly said enough as to this.[2364] We will now return to the point whence we digressed.

11. We have noticed the islands of Lipari and Thermessa. As for Strongyle,[2365] it takes its name from its form.[2366] Like the other two, it is subigneous, but is deficient in the force of the flames which are emitted, while their brightness is greater. It is here they say that Æolus resided.[2367] The fourth is Didyma; this island also is named from its form.[2368] Of the others, [the fifth and sixth] are [CAS. 276] Ericussa[2369] and Phœnicussa;[2370] they are called from the plants which they produce, and are given up to pasture. The seventh [island] is called Euonymus;[2371] it is the farthest in the sea and barren. It is called Euonymus because it lies the most to the left when you sail from the island of Lipari to Sicily,[2372] and many times flames of fire have been seen to rise to the surface, and play upon the sea round the islands: these flames rush with violence from the cavities at the bottom of the sea,[2373] and force for themselves a passage to the open air. Posidonius says, that at a time so recent as to be almost within his recollection, about the summer solstice and at break of day, between Hiera and Euonymus, the sea was observed to be suddenly raised aloft, and to abide some time raised in a compact mass and then to subside. Some ventured to approach that part in their ships; they observed the fish dead and driven by the current, but being distressed by the heat and foul smell, were compelled to turn back. One of the boats which had approached nearest lost some of her crew, and was scarcely able to reach Lipari with the rest, and they had fits like an epileptic person, at one time fainting and giddy, and at another returning to their senses; and many days afterwards a mud or clay was observed rising in the sea, and in many parts the flames issued, and smoke and smoky blazes; afterwards it congealed and became a rock like mill-stones. Titus Flaminius,[2374] who then commanded in Sicily, despatched to the senate [of Rome] a full account of the phenomenon; the senate sent and offered sacrifices to the infernal and marine divinities both in the little island [which had thus been formed] and the Lipari Islands. Now the chorographer reckons that from Ericodes to Phœnicodes are 10 miles, from thence to Didyma 30, from thence to the northernmost point[2375] of Lipari 29, and from thence to Sicily 19, while from Strongyle are 16.[2376] Melita[2377] lies before[2378] Pachynus; from thence come the little dogs called Maltese;[2379] so does also Gaudus,[2380] both of them are situated about 88 miles distant from that promontory. Cossura[2381] is situated before Cape Lilybæum, and opposite the Carthaginian city Aspis, which they call [in Latin] Clypea, it is situated in the midst of the space which lies between those [CAS. 277] two places, and is distant from each the number of miles last given.[2382] Ægimurus also and other little islands lie off Sicily and Africa. So much for the islands.