Book 9
5.3
Such being its nature, Thessaly was divided into four parts. One part was called Phthiotis, another Hestiaeotis,“Hestiaeotis” is the Attic spelling, and “Histiaeotis” the Ionic and Doric spelling, according to Stephanus Byzantinus, s.v. Ἱστίαιαν. another Thessaliotis, and another Pelasgiotis. Phthiotis occupies the southern parts which extend alongside Oeta from the Maliac, or Pylaïc, Gulf as far as Dolopia and Pindus, and widen out as far as Pharsalus and the Thessalian plains. Hestiaeotis occupies the western parts and the parts between Pindus and Upper Macedonia.See Fr. 12. The remaining parts of Thessaly are held, first, by the people who live in the plains below Hestiaeotis (they are called Pelasgiotae and their country borders on Lower Macedonia), and, secondly, by the Thessaliotae next in order, who fill out the districts extending as far as the Magnetan seacoast. Here, too, there will be an enumeration of famous names of cities, and especially because of the poetry of Homer; only a few of the cities preserve their ancient dignity, but Larisa most of all.
