CHAP. 13.—SARDINIA.
Leucothea comes next, and after it, but out of sight, as it lies upon the verge of the African Sea, Sardinia. It is situate somewhat less[1516] than eight miles from the nearest point of Corsica, and the Straits between them are even still more reduced by the small islands there situate, called the Cuniculariæ[1517], as also those of Phintonis[1518] and Fossæ, from which last the Straits themselves have obtained the name of Taphros[1519].
(7.) Sardinia extends, upon the east side, a distance of 188 miles, on the west 175, on the south 77, and on the north 125, being 565 miles in circumference. Its promontory of Caralis[1520] is distant from Africa 200, and from Gades 1400 miles. Off the promontory of Gordis[1521] it has two islands called the Isles of Hercules[1522], off that of Sulcis, the island of Enosis[1523], and off that of Caralis, Ficaria[1524]. Some writers place Beleris not far from it, as also Callodis, and the island known as Heras Lutra[1525].
The most celebrated peoples of this island are the Ilienses[1526], the Balari, and the Corsi; and among its eighteen towns, there are those of the Sulcitani[1527], the Valentini[1528], the Neapolitani[1529], the Bosenses[1530], the Caralitani[1531], who enjoy the rights of Roman citizens, and the Norenses[1532]. There is also one colony which is called Ad Turrim Libysonis[1533]. Timæus has called this island Sandaliotis, on account of the similarity of its shape to the sole of a shoe, while Myrtilus has given it the name of Ichnusa[1534], from its resemblance to the print of a footstep. Opposite to the Gulf of Pæstum is Leucasia[1535], so called from a Siren who is buried there; opposite to Velia are Pontia and Isacia, both known by one name, that of Œnotrides, a proof that Italy was formerly possessed by the Œnotrians. Opposite to Vibo are the little islands called Ithacesiæ[1536], from the watch-tower of Ulysses situate there.