SECTION XVIII. Historical account of Messenia-Early wars with Sparta, Summary of the Lacedæmonian history from the earliest period to the subjugation of Greece by the Romans— Ancient kingdoms of Argos and Mycena-Republic of the SECTION XIV. PELOPONNESUS. Geographical view of the Peninsula—Inquiry into the origin of its inhabitants-Divisions. PELOPONNESUS, prior to the migration of the Phrygian Pelops, from whom it derived its name, is said to have borne that of Apia, which is acknowledged both by Homer and other poets. Καὶ μὲν τοῖσιν ἐγὼ μεθομίλεον ἐκ Πύλου ἐλθὼν, Rhianus, who is cited by Stephanus Byz., (ν. ̓Απία,) supposed Apis to have been an Argive chief, son of Phoroneus. τοῦ δὲ κλυτὸς ἐκ γένετ ̓ Απις Ὅς ῥ ̓ ̓Απίην ἐφατίζε καὶ ἀνέρας ̓Απιδανῆας. (Cf. Pausan. Corinth. 5. Strab. VIII. p. 371. Eustath. ad Dionys. Per. p. 59. Plin. IV. 5.) Peloponnesus, though inferior in extent to the northern portion of Greece, may be looked upon, says Strabo, as the acropolis of Hellas, both from its position, and the power and celebrity of the different people by which it was inhabited. In shape it resembles the leaf of a plane tree, being indented by numerous bays on all sides. (Strab. VIII. p. 335. Plin. IV. 5.) Πέλοπος δ ̓ ἐπὶ νῆσος ὁπηδεῖ, Ειδομένη πλατάνοιο μυουρίζοντι πετήλῳ. Ακρῳ μὲν γὰρ ἔοικεν ἐεργόμενος στενὸς Ἰσθμὸς Κόλποις εἰναλίοις ἐστεμμένη ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα. DIONYS. PERIEG. 403. It is from this circumstance that the modern name of Morea is doubtless derived, that word signifying a mulberry leaf. Strabo estimates the breadth of the peninsula at 1400 stadia from Cape Chelonatas, now C. Tornese, its westernmost point to the isthmus being nearly equal to its length from Cape Malia, now C. St. Angelo, to Ægium Vostizza in Achaia. Polybius reckons its periphery, setting aside the sinuosities of the coast, at 4000 stadia, and Artemidorus at 4400; but if these are included, the number of stadia must be increased to 5600. Pliny says that "Isidorus computed its circumference at 563 miles, and as "much again if all the gulfs were taken into the "account." "The narrow stem from which it expands," says the same writer, "is called the IsthAt this point the Ægæan and Ionian seas, breaking in from opposite quarters north and east, "eat away all its breadth, till a narrow neck of five 66 66 "mus. 66 |