Res Gestae

At no great distance from these are the Tauri, divided into various kingdoms, among whom the Arichi, the Sinchi, and the Napaei are terrible for their ruthless cruelty, and since long continued license has increased their savageness, they have given the sea the name of Inhospitable; but in irony[*](The principle is probably irony in some cases, but in the case of the Furies it appears to be euphemism. Sometimes we have neither; cf. Plutarch, De Curios. 12, who says that some of the Greeks call night εὐφρόνη (kindly), because it brings good and salutary resolves; others, because it invites gaiety or refreshes the body.) it is called by the contrary name of Pontus εὔξεινος,[*](Hospitable. Cf. Ovid, Tristia, iv. 4, 55 f., frigida me cohibent Euxini litora Ponti, dictus ab antiquis Axenus (inhospitable) ille fuit. ) just as we Greeks call a fool εὐήθης, and night εὐφρόνη, and the Furies εὐμενίδες.[*](εὐήθης,Good-natured,εὐφρόνη,the well-wisher, and εὐμενίδες, kindly goddesses. There seem to be varying motives here; see note 1.)