Epirus was of somewhat less extent than Thessaly, and far less fertile; it was inhabited by various tribes, some Greek, some barbarian, the chief of which was the Molossi, governed by kings who boasted their descent from Achilles.

Epirus has little importance or interest in history until the sun of Athens had set, during the ascendency of the Macedonian kings.

It contained the independent state of Ambracia, peopled from Corinth, and governed by republican institutions.

Here also were the sacred oaks of the oracular Dodona.
XIII.

We now come to the states of the Peloponnesus, which contained eight countries.
Beyond Megaris lay the territory of Corinth: its broad bay adapted it for commerce, of which it availed itself early; even in the time of Homer it was noted for its wealth.