Ægialus is a line of sea-coast, in length more than 100 stadia. On it is a village of the same name,[1124] which the poet mentions in these lines,
“Cromna, and Ægialus, and the lofty Erythini;”[1125]
but some authors write,
“Cromna and Cobialus.”
The Erythini are said to be the present Erythrini, and to have their name from their (red) colour. They are two rocks.[1126]
Next to Ægialus is Carambis, a large promontory stretching towards the north, and the Scythian Chersonesus. We have frequently mentioned this promontory, and the Criu-metopon opposite it, which divides the Euxine into two seas.[1127]
Next to Carambis is Cinolis,[1128] and Anti-Cinolis, and Aboniteichos,[1129] a small city, and Armene,[1130] which gave rise to the common proverb;
“He who had nothing to do built a wall about Armene.”
It is a village of the Sinopenses, with a harbour.
11. Next is Sinope itself, distant from Armene 50 stadia, the most considerable of all the cities in that quarter. It was founded by Milesians, and when the inhabitants had established a naval force they commanded the sea within the Cyanean rocks, and were allies of the Greeks in many naval battles beyond these limits. Although this city was independent for a long period, it did not preserve its liberty to the last, but was taken by siege, and became subject first to Pharnaces, then to his successors, to the time when the Romans put an end to the power of Mithridates Eupator. This prince was born and brought up in this city, on which he conferred distinguished honour, and made it a capital of the kingdom. It has received advantages from nature which have been improved by art. It is built upon the neck of a peninsula; on each side of the isthmus are harbours, stations for vessels, and fisheries worthy of admiration for the capture of the pelamydes. Of these fisheries we have said[1131] that the people of Sinope have the second, and the Byzantines the third, in point of excellence.