438 
plint's katueal history. 
[Book Y. 
On the promontory is Seleucia\ called Pieria, a free city. 
(22.) Beyond it lies Mount Casius^, a different one from the 
mountain of the same name^ which we have already mentioned. 
The height of this mountain is so vast, that, at the fourth 
watch ^ of the night, you can see from it, in the midst of the 
darkness, the sun rising on the east ; and thus, by merely 
turning round, we may at one and the same time behold both 
day and night. The winding road which leads to its summit 
is nineteen miles in length, its perpendicular height four. 
Upon this coast there is the river Orontes, which takes its 
rise near Heliopolis'', between the range of Libanus and An- 
tilibanus. The towns are, E^hosos^, and, behind it, the Grates 
of Syria^, Ijiiig the space between the chain of the Kho- 
sian mountains and that of Taurus. On the coast there is the 
town of Myriandros^, and Mount Amanus^, upon which is the 
town of Bomitse This mountain separates Cilicia from Syria. 
CHAP. 19. (23.) — THE REMAINING PARTS OE SYRIA. 
We must now speak of the interior of Syria. Coele Syria 
^ Now Seleuca, or Kepse, at the foot of Mount Pieria. It has been 
referred to in a previous note. ^ ]S^ow known as Djebel-el-Akra. 
3 In the extreme north-east of Egypt. See pp. 422 and 424. 
The beginning of the fourth watch was three o'clock in the morning. 
The height of this mountain does not in reahty appear to be anything 
remarkable, and has been ascertained to be but 5318 feet. There is 
probably no foundation for the marvellous story here told by Pliny ; 
nevertheless, we are told by Spartianus, that the Emperor Adrian passed 
a night upon the mountain, for the purpose of seeing tliis extraordinary 
sight ; but a storm arising, it prevented the gratification of his curiosity. 
It lay near Nymphseum and Seleucia, and its base was washed by the 
waters of the Orontes. ^ Or Baalbec, in the interior of Syria. 
^ According to Ansart, it still retains that name. 
7 Now called Bylan. This was the name of the narrow pass between 
a portion of Mount Taurus and the Rock of E-ossicum. According to 
Ansart, the spot is called at the present day Saggal Doutan. 
^ This was a Phoenician colony, on the eastern side of the Grulf of 
Issus ; it is said by Ansart still to retain its ancient name. 
^ Now called Aima-Dagh, a branch of Mount Taurus, running from 
the head of the Gulf of Issus, north-east, to the prmcipal chain, and 
dividing Syria from Cilicia and Cappadocia. There were two passes in 
it, the Syrian Grates and the Amanian Grates. It is often spoken of by 
Cicero, who was the Roman governor of Cihcia. 
The locality of this place is unknown, as Pliny is the only authoy 
who mentions it. 
