Strabo continues his monumental geographical survey by focusing extensively on the Peloponnesus, detailing its regions such as Elis, Messenia, Laconia, Argolis, and Achaia. He examines the political shifts, ancient settlements, and physical characteristics of each territory, contrasting contemporary landscapes with accounts found in classical poetry, particularly Homer. Particular attention is given to the shifting boundaries of cities, the rise and fall of regional powers like the Lacedæmonians and the Argives, and the historical evolution of governance through various eras.
The narrative proceeds to the central regions of Greece, beginning with Attica and Boeotia, where the author analyzes topographical features, river systems, and the complex hydrology of internal lakes and subterranean channels. Strabo contrasts the natural advantages of these fertile provinces with historical accounts of their inhabitants, detailing cities such as Athens, Thebes, and Plataea, along with their associated sanctuaries and historical conflicts.
Further north, the text addresses Phocis, Locris, and Thessaly, examining the strategic passes of Thermopylae, the geography of Mount Parnassus, and the revered oracle at Delphi. Strabo details the distribution of tribes, the significance of the Amphictyonic councils, and the physical geography of the Thessalian plains, river networks, and surrounding mountain ranges.
The survey extends westward to Ætolia and Acarnania, cataloging coastal formations, river courses, and adjacent island groups. Throughout the work, the author relies on historical sources, poets, and personal observation to reconcile discrepancies between myth and geographical reality, presenting an exhaustive record of the ancient Mediterranean world.
