704
Athenian
Ath. Come now, what is this State going to be, shall we suppose I am not asking for its present name or the name it will have to go by in the future; for this might be derived from the conditions of its settlement, or from some locality, or a river or spring or some local deity might bestow its sacred title on the new State. The point of my question about it is rather this,—is it to be an inland State, or situated on the sea-coast?
Clinias
Clin. The State which I mentioned just now, Stranger, lies about eighty stades, roughly speaking, from the sea.
Athenian
Ath. Well, has it harbors on the sea-board side, or is it quite without harbors?
Clinias
Clin. It has excellent harbors on that side, Stranger, none better.
Athenian
Ath. Dear me! how unfortunate!This remark is explained by what is said below, Plat. Laws 705a. But what of the surrounding country? Is it productive in all respects, or deficient in some products?
5
Clinias
Clin. There is practically nothing that it is deficient in.
Athenian
Ath. Will there be any State bordering close on it?
Clinias
Clin. None at all, and that is the reason for settling it. Owing to emigration from this district long ago, the country has lain desolate for ever so long.
Athenian
Ath. How about plains, mountains and forests? What extent of each of these does it contain?
Clinias
Clin. As a whole, it resembles in character the rest of Crete.
10
Athenian
Ath. You would call it hilly rather than level?