THE HISTORY OF GREECE. CHAPTER I. DESCRIPTION OF GREECE. Geography of Greece-Divisions- Central Greece and Peloponnesus-Account -the different Countries-Rivers - Mountains, etc.-Islands of GreeceClimate-Character. 1. "GREECE" is the English form of the Roman name for the country, which its ancient inhabitants called Hellas; a projection from the main continent of Europe at its south-east extremity, 220 (geographical) miles long, and 140 miles in its greatest breadth. It lies between the 36th and 40th degrees of north latitude, within the 20th and 25th degrees of east longitude. Greece is separated, on the north, by the Cambunian mountains from Macedonia; and its coasts are washed on the east and south by the Ægean, and on the west by the Ionian, sea. The southern point is opposite to one of the fairest regions of Africa, and at an almost equal distance from Asia Minor. The irregularity of its shape, and the great number of gulfs and bays along its sea coast, made it a country favourable for navigation, and for commerce with the three quarters of the globe. 2. Greece has been divided into Northern Greece, extending from the Cambunian mountains to the mountain chain of Eta and Pindus; having the Maliac gulf on the east, and the Ambracian gulf on the west: Central Greece, or Hellas, reaching from mount Eta to the isthmus of Corinth; and Peloponnesus, the southern peninsula, now called the Morea. Northern Greece includes Thessaly on the east, and Epirus on the west. Thessaly, the largest of the Grecian countries, and the most fertile, is sixty miles from south to north, and sixty-four from east to west, B and contained the territories of Estiæotis, Pelasgiotis, Thessaliotis, Phthiotis, and Magnesia, Perrhæbia, and some others of less note. 3. The mountains of Thessaly are Pindus, Othrys, and Eta, in the south; and Ossa and Olympus in the north. Between Ossa and Olympus lies the beautiful vale of Tempé, watered by the Peneus. The Apidanus and some lesser streams are also rivers of Thessaly. Epirus, a wild country, next in extent to Thessaly, included Dodona, Molossis, and Thresprotia. To these, Illyria and Macedonia have been added by some writers. 4. Central Greece, or Hellas, comprises Attica, Megaris, Boeotia, Phocis, Locris, Doris, Ætolia, and Acarnania. 5. Attica is a "foreland," stretching towards the southeast, sixty miles in length, and twenty-four miles in its greatest breadth. Its mountains are Laurium, containing silver mines; Hymettus, famed for honey; Pentelicus, abounding in marble; and the headland of Sunium. Its rivers are the Cephissus and the Ilissus. Its only city is Athens, having three harbours at Piræus, Phalereus, and Munychius; but it contained some hamlets-Marathon, Eleusis, Decelea, and others. 6. Megaris, the smallest territory of Greece, only sixteen miles long, and with a breadth varying from four to eight miles, adjoined the isthmus of Corinth, and contained one city-Megara. 7. Baotia, a mountainous country, and abounding with marshes fifty-two miles long, and from twenty-eight to thirty-two miles broad, contained more independent cities than any other part of Greece-Thebes, Platæa, Tanagra, Thespiæ, Chæronea, Lebadea, Leuctra, and Orchomenusall celebrated in Grecian history. The principal rivers of Boeotia are Asopus and Ismenus; its principal mountains, Helicon and Cythæron. The lakes Copais and Hylica are in this country. 8. Phocis, forty-eight miles long, and from four to eight miles broad, is watered by the Cephissus. In this territory is Mount Parnassus, with the famed oracle of Apollo, at Delphi. The other principal cities are Elatea, in the interior; and Crissa, with the harbour of Cirrha, on the coast. 9. Locris is the name of a small district on the eastern |