Insani Montes

INSA´NI MONTES(τὰ Μαινόμενα ὄρη, Ptol. 3.3.7), a range of mountains in Sardinia, mentioned by Livy (Liv. 30.39) in a manner which seems to imply that they were in the NE. part of the island; and this is confirmed by Claudian, who speaks of them as rendering the northern part of Sardinia rugged and savage, and the adjoining seas stormy and dangerous to navigators. (Claudian, B. Gild. 513.) Hence, it is evident that the name was applied to the lofty and rugged range of mountains in the N. and NE. part of the island: and was, doubtless, given to them by Roman navigators, on account of the sudden and frequent storms to which they gave rise. (Liv. 1. c.). Ptolemy also places the Μαινόμενα ὄρη —a name which is obviously translated from the Latin one—in the interior of the island, and though he would seem to consider them as nearer the W. than the E. coast, the position which he assigns them may still be referred to the same range or mass of mountains, which extends from the neighbourhood of Olbia (Terra Nova) on the E. coast, to that of Cornus on the W. [SARDINIA]
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