The Geography of Strabo, Volume 2 (of 3): Literally Translated, with Notes

"The Geography of Strabo, Volume 2" by Strabo is a historical and geographical account written in the late 1st century BC to early 1st century AD. This volume specifically continues the detailed examination of Europe, with a focus on Greece and its neighboring regions, refining previous accounts by various poets and historians. The author provides thorough geographic descriptions along with insights into the regions’ cultures, people, and mythology. The opening of the volume sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of Greece, beginning with a review of Macedonia and extending through various Greek tribes like the Acarnanians and the Ætolians. Strabo references earlier geographic writings and critically examines the historical narrative shaped by famous poets such as Homer. He emphasizes the complexity of historical accounts and aims to distinguish between myth and reality while laying out the geography of the region, which includes notable mentions of Greece's cities, rivers, and key geographical features. Overall, the beginning highlights Strabo's intention to provide an accurate and scholarly assessment of the Hellenic world as a complement to the literary depictions familiar to his readers.