SECTION III.

OF EUROPE, ACCORDING TO HERODOTUS.

The Europe of Herodotus extended far into North Asia-the southern and eastern parts best known to him—proof that he knew much more than he describes-pointed description of Thessaly knew more than Polybius, respecting the north-east part of Europe; but was ignorant of the north-west partCassiterides, meant for Britain-Celta, and Cynæta-Italy, under the name of notria-Rome, of no importance in the politics of Greece, at that day—Iberia-Course of the Danube -Great extent of Thrace-Getæ, one of its tribes believe themselves immortal-Thracian widows, like those of India, sacrifice themselves-Distinction of Eastern and Western Scythia.

It was the idea of HERODOTUS, that EUROPE very much exceeded in length the other divisions of ASIA and AFRICA; but that it was far inferior in breadth to either; and, on the whole, that Europe was larger than Asia; Melpom. 36, 42, and 45. But he also observes, that the boundaries of Europe had not, to that time, been carefully examined; and that it was by no means certain, whether on the east and north, it was limited, or surrounded, by the ocean; Melp. 45. It follows, of course, that whatsoever tracts are described by him to extend towards those quarters, from the great body of Europe, taken according to the common acceptation, and which are

not classed as belonging to Asia, must necessarily have been reckoned by him a part of Europe.

He adds, that he had endeavoured, but without success, to meet with some one, who, from ocular observation, might describe to him the sea which washes the western part of Europe; concerning which part, any more than the islands called Cassiterides, from whence they were said to have their tin, he was unable to speak with decision: but that it was nevertheless certain, that both their tin and amber were brought from those extreme regions ; and the amber in particular, from the river Eridanus, which discharged itself into the North Sea. On this name Eridanus, our Author observes, Thalia, 115, that it is certainly of Greek derivation, and not barbarous; and was, as he conceives, introduced by one of their poets 2.

Our Author differs from all others, Procopius excepted, respecting the eastern boundary of Europe. Others have assigned the Tanais, (or Don3:) but Herodotus extends Europe eastward to the utmost bounds of his knowledge; placing Asia rather to the

1 Thalia, 115. His want of information, in this matter, can only be referred to the jealousy of the Phoenicians.

2 Larcher, quoted by Mr. Beloe, observes, that "the Eridanus here alluded to, could not possibly be any other than the Rho-daune, which empties itself into the Vistula, near Dantzic; and on the banks of which, amber is now found in large quantities." Such a modification of the name appears very probable.

3 The Tanais divides Asia from Europe, says Strabo, p. 310; Pliny, lib. iv. c. 12.; and Diodorus, lib. i. c. 4. Africa is contained between the Nile and the Pillars of Hercules; Asia between the Nile and Tanais, says Polybius, lib. iii. c. 4.

south, than to the east, of Europe. Accordingly, the Colchian Phasis is reckoned by him the common boundary of Europe and Asia, from the point at which the Euxine ceases to form it. Beyond this, the boundary remains indefinite; but may be conceived to pass by the north of the Caspian sea, towards the mountains that give rise to the river Irtish; of which more in the sequel, when we enter into the detail of the regions properly belonging to Asia, but which he assigns to Europe.

Of this division of the earth, the parts most familiarly known to him, and to the Greeks of his time, were those situated along the Mediterranean and Euxine seas; for the extent of the former, and that of Europe along its borders, were very well known, by the frequent voyages made by the Greeks; and from the notices collected from the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Egyptians. Herodotus calls it "the sea frequented by the Greeks." The extent of the western coasts of Europe, must have been known in like manner, by the voyages to and from Tartessus, Gades, the Cassiterides, and the Baltic. Such particulars could hardly have been concealed; nor would a general idea of distance and juxtaposition have enabled a rival to derive much advantage. But there are, however, no notices concerning either the extent of the Mediterranean sea, or of the western coasts of Europe, to be found in our Author: nor indeed, could they be looked for, since such were foreign to

In his specification of the regions of Asia, Melp. 37, et seq. the Phasis is evidently taken for the boundary of Asia. Procopius speaks positively; Bell. Goth. lib. iv.

the scope of his history. of his history. Much less could it be expected that he should enter into a description of the geography of Greece, and the surrounding countries; although the scene of the glorious events which it is the ultimate purpose of his book to record. The reason clearly is, that he considered himself as speaking to men who were perfectly well informed on the subject: so that, instead of describing the geography of Greece, he even alludes to certain parts of it, as well as of Italy, in order to explain his descriptions of other countries. For instance, in the description of the Taurian Chersonese, in Melpom. 99, he refers to certain parts of the coasts of Attica and Magna Græcia. His descriptions of the country of Thessaly, the Strait of Thermopyla, and other places, prove how well he had considered the scenes of particular actions: and we shall select, in a note, that of Thessaly, as one of the most pointed, clear, and concise imaginable '.

5

Polymnia, 129. "Thessaly is said to have been formerly a marsh, on all sides surrounded by lofty mountains; to the east by Pelion and Ossa, whose bases meet each other; to the north by Olympus, to the west by Pindus; to the south by Othrys. The space betwixt these is THESSALY, into which depressed region many rivers pour their waters, but more particularly these five, the Peneus, the Apidanus, the Onochonous, the Enipeus, and the Pamisus: all these, flowing from the mountains which surround Thessaly, into the plain, are till then distinguished by specific names. They afterwards unite in one narrow channel, and are poured into the sea. After their union, they take the name of Peneus only. It is said, that formerly, before this aperture to the sea existed, all these rivers, and also the lake Bobeis, had not, as now, any specific name, but that their body of water was as large as at present, and the whole of Thessaly a sea." The

Had he written a system of geography, it would have been unquestionably his province to describe Greece, &c. but as a historian, he refers to the known parts of geography, to illustrate his history; and when the geography was supposed to be unknown to his readers, or not sufficiently generalized, he very properly enters into a description of it.

Since our Author has given no idea of the extent of Europe, westward, it is not possible to know what his opinions were, on that subject; that is, accurately; for it will appear hereafter, in discussing the subject of Africa, that he seems to allow an extent of space between Egypt and Mount Atlas that agrees generally with the actual geography: but the notices are very far from being positive, and the chain of distance is so often interrupted, that, although much internal evidence arises out of the whole data, yet the question by no means admits of direct proof.

There can, however, be no doubt that Herodotus knew, and that critically, the extent of the Mediterranean, and of Europe along its coasts; since it is known from the Periplus of Scylax, written as it may be concluded, long before the days of our Author, that the distances had been estimated generally, throughout the Mediterranean; and along the western coast of Africa, as far as Arguin at least o.

remarks of Xerxes on Thessaly in the succeeding chapter, are worth attention; as is the description of Thermopyla in chapter 176.

The Periplus of Scylax is supposed to have been written subsequent to the expedition of Hanno, and before the time of Xerxes.