Durazzo

1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun.

Durazzo, Durracium, Dyrrachium, Epidamnus, called by the Turks, Drazzi, by the French, Duras; is a very ancient and much celebrated City of Macedonia, in the Kingdom of Albania. It has now a strong Castle, and a large Haven; seated on the Eastern Shoar of the Adriatick Sea, upon the River Argentaro or Arzento, North-East of Brindisi or Brundusium in the Kingdom of Naples, from which it is distant one hundred and twenty Miles. Built by the Corcyreans (now called Corfu) in the Year of the World 3327. One hundred and thirty years after Rome, and six hundred twenty one before the Birth of our Saviour. In the Year of the World 3512. being much streightned by its Fugitives, it had recourse to the Assistance of the Corinthians: but the Corcyreans taking part with those Exiles, the Corinthians were beaten; which drew on an Athenian War, and that the Peloponnesian. This City fell first with the rest of Greece under the Power of the Kings of Macedonia; and together with Macedonia was subject to the Romans, who made it a Roman Colony. In the times of the Civil War between Caesar and Pompey, it was the Seat of great Actions: for Pompey chose it, and it was the only prosperous Scene of that Party; and had proved the ruin of Caesar, if Pompey had pursued his first successes with vigor. Not long before, it had given entertainment to Cicero in his Exile; and appears every where favourable to the Republicans. It was also a Roman Colony, but when setled I cannot now find. In the times of Christianity it became an Archbishops See under the Patriarch of Constantinople, as it is still; in the later times of the Greek Empire it had Princes of the Caroline Line of France, from whom it passed to the Venetians; and from them it was taken by Mahomet III. But the Venetians Sacked it in 1554. by their Fleet.

Long. 44. 20. Lat. 41. 42.//Paris Meridian was used in the book