CHAP. X.

Substances

used for the Signets of Cyprus :

Their most antient form.

The signet stones of Cyprus, although cut in a variety of substances, were more frequently of red carnelian than of any other mineral. Some of the most diminutive size were finely executed in red garnet, the carbuncle of the 'Antients. Others were formed of plasma, onyx, blood-stone, topaz, jasper, and even of quartz. Of all these, the most antient had the scarabæan form. Two very interesting

examples are here represented. The first is of the most remote antiquity. It was found among the ruins whence the idols recently alluded to were discovered. The substance of it is an onyx, in a very advanced state of decomposition. The characters are evidently Phoenician, and correspond with those exhibited by inscriptions found upon the same spot, and published by Pococke'. The subject represented appears to be the dove, a very antient symbol of Venus; but whether the figure placed before the bird be a grain' of the bearded wheat so common in Cyprus, or any other type connected with its antient mythology, it is not easy to conjecture. The second is a carnelian scarabæus, bought in

the

(1) See Pococke's Travels, vol. II. p. 213.

the bazar of Nicotia, representing, in front, a sepulchral Stêlê. One of the letters is evidently a compound; and four others agree with characters in the Etruscan alphabet. There is, moreover, the following inscription upon the back of this stone, which is evidently Phoenician; but this also exhibits Etruscan letters. Hence it seems manifest that the Etruscans and Phoenicians were originally the same people.

2

CHAP. X.

7.3 AP W 94 24 m

#

(2) It is a curious circumstance, that Leonhart Rauwolff, in his Itinerary into the Eastern Countries, (as published by Ray in 1693. Part 2. ch. 13.) calls the Druses of Mount Libanus by the name of TRUSCI. This people now use the Arabic language; but very mistaken notions prevail concerning their origin.

Antient Geography of the Island-Situation of Citium-Phoenician Settlements-Illustrious Citieans Last Remains of the CityReports concerning Baffa-Minerals of Cyprus-Journey to Nicotia -Women of Cyprus-Gardens of Larneca-Desolate Appearance of the Country-Village of Attién-Primeval Mills-Curious Mode of heeping Bees-Carob Tree-Appearance of Nicotia-Banishment of Prostitutes Palace of the English Dragoman-Visit to the Turkish Governor his Reception of the Author-Oriental Mode of entertaining Guests-Guyûmjee, or Goldsmiths of Turkey-Antiquities obtained in the Bazar-Polished Stones of Cyprus - Antient Gems found in Nicotia-Camels-Rivers of the Island-Antient Phonician Medal-Tetradrachm of Tyre- Return to the Fleet-Loss of the Iphigenia.

CHAP. XI. IT will now perhaps be interesting to ascertain from what Phoenician city the antiquities discovered at Larneca derived their origin; and if the Reader will give an Author credit for the difficulties he has encountered, in order to

Antient Geography of the Island.

ascertain

ascertain this point, he may perhaps spare himself some trouble, and render unnecessary any ostentatious detail of the volumes it was necessary to consult. The antient geography of Cyprus is involved in greater uncertainty than seems consistent with its former celebrity among enlightened nations. Neither Greeks nor Romans, have afforded any clue by which we can fix the locality of its Eastern cities. Certain of them, it is true, had disappeared in a very early period. Long prior to the time of Pliny, the towns of Cinyria, Malium, and Idalium, so necessary in ascertaining the relative position of other places, no longer existed'. Both the nature and situation of important land-marks, alluded to by antient geographers, are also uncertain. According to Strabo, the Cleides were two islands upon the north-east coast; Pliny makes their number four; and Herodotus mentions a promontory that had the name given to these islands. If we consult the text of Strabo, his description of Cyprus appears to be expressed with more than usual precision and perspicuity. Yet of two renowned cities, Salamis and Citium, the first distinguished for the birth of the historian Aristus, and the last conspicuous by the death of Cimon, neither the situation of the one nor of the other has been satisfactorily determined. D'Anville assigns

(1) After enumerating fifteen cities belonging to Cyprus, Pliny adds, “fuere et ibi Cinyria, Malium, Idalium." (Plin. lib. v. c. 31. L. Bat. 1635.) Idalium signifies, literally, the "place of the Goddess;" whence Idalia Venus. In Hebrew it was called Idala, and under this appellation it is mentioned in the Scriptures, (Jos. xix. 15.) as the name of a town belonging to the tribe of Zabulon. See Gale's "Court of the Gentiles," also Bochart Can. lib. i. cap. 3.

(2) Strabon. Geog. lib. xiv. p. 970. ed. Oxon.

CHAP. XI.

1

CHAP. XI.

Situation of
Citium.

assigns a different position for these cities, and for the present towns of Famagosta and Larneca ; although Drummond', "Vir haud contemnendus," as he is styled by a late commentator upon Strabo, and also Pococke3, whose proverbial veracity is beyond all praise1, from their own ocular testimony reconcile the locality of the antient and modern places. "At Larneca," observes the former of these writers, are undeniable proofs of its having been the antient Citium. Perhaps the antiquities now described may hereafter serve to confirm an opinion of Drummond's, founded upon very diligent inquiry, and repeated examination of the country. During the time he was Consul at Aleppo, he thrice visited Cyprus, and upon every occasion industriously surveyed the existing documents of its antient history. The sepulchral remains occupying so considerable a portion of the territory where the modern town is situated, appear to have been those of the Necropolis of Citium; and this city probably extended from the port all the way to Larneca, called also Larnec, and Larnic; implying, in its etymology, independently of its tombs,

(1) Travels, &c. in a Series of Letters, by Alexander Drummond, Lond. 1754. (2) See the Notes to the Oxford edition of Strabo, p. 972.

(3) Pococke's Description of the East, 2 vols. 1743-45. See vol. II. p. 213. (4) It should be observed, however, that Drummond, although he seems to agree with Pococke in the situation of Citium, criticises very severely the freedom used by that author, in presuming to trace the walls of the city from imaginary remains; and also for his erroneous map of the coast. See Drummond's Travels, Lett. xii. p. 248. (5) Drummond's Travels, Lett. xiii. p. 251.

(6) Larneca is the name in most common acceptation among foreign nations; but the inhabitants call it Larnec, and the Abbé Mariti writes it Larnic. The Bay of Salines is also sometimes called Larneca Bay.