Falkener, Edward; Belli, Onorio: A description of some important theatres and other remains in Crete: from a ms. history of Candia by Onorio Belli in 1586 (London, 1854)

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ON A MS. HIST. OF CANDIA, BY ONORIO BELLI.

GNOSSUS.

At about equal distance from Canclia and Mount Juctas, being
about three miles from each, are the ruins of this city, which was
founded by King Minos in a plain almost entirely surrounded
by mountains, in the manner of a theatre. The hills upon
which the city was built are of low elevation, and the walls
may be four miles in circumference. Homer distinguishes this
city as great and noble. It is now almost wholly destroyed,
and none of its buildings are remaining entire. Several large
masses of walling exist in different places, built of stone, but
much decayed. The foundations of a theatre or other building,
of great size, are visible, but it is not easy to determine its plan.*
From time to time have been found many fine statues, which
were sent to Venice by different Proveditori, and among these
Jacopo Eoscarini sent over many fine and perfect statues. Strabo
says it was called anciently Cseratus, from the river which flowed
beneath it, but Polybius describes Ceeratus as a different city.
Belli found no remains of the famous labyrinth contrived by
Dsedalus; which is not astonishing, for Pliny says there were
no remains of it in his time. It is probable, however, as we
learn from Plutarch, that the labyrinth signified merely a place
of great strength, from which it was very difficult for prisoners
to escape. (A. Z.)

OAXUS.

The site of this city is described by Belli as eighteen miles
south of Milojwtamo, and thirty-six from Rettimo, and lying

* It is impossible to say what the building is, but it resembles a circus more
than a theatre.