the first country of Free Greece, or Greece Proper, bounded on the west by the Sinus Ambracius, and separated from Epirus by the river Achelous on the east, and by the Sinus Ambracius from Epirus. The people were called Acarnanes, denoting persons unhorned; other Eolians, to the east of the Achelous, being called Curetes (Homer) from being horned. According to Lucian, they were noted for effeminacy and incontinence; hence the proverb, Porcellus Acarnanus. This country was famous for an excellent breed of horses; so that Ἀκαρνανοὶ ἵπποι is a proverbial saying for a thing excellent in its kind. It is now called la Carnia and il Despotato.