BOOK VI. xxxi. 131-134 



Medes and the Adiabeiii above Paraetacene and 

 Farsistan. The distance of Chalonitis from Farsistan 

 is 380 miles, and some persons say that by the shortest 

 route it is the same distance from the Caspian Sea 

 and from Syria. Between these races and Mesene 

 is Sittacene, which is also called Arbelitis and 

 Palaestine. Its town of Sittace is of Greek origin, 

 and also to the east of this is Sabdata and to the 

 west Antiochia, which hes between the two rivers, 

 Tigris and Tornadotus, and also Apamea, which 

 Antiochus named after his mother ; this to^vn is 

 surrounded by the Tigris, and the Archous intersects 

 it. Below is Susiane, in which is situated Susa, the 

 ancient capital of the Persian monarchy, founded by 

 Darius son of Hystaspes. Babylonia is 450 miles 

 from Seleucia, and the same distance from Ecbatana 

 of the Medes, by way of Mount Carbantus. On the 

 northern channel of the Tigris is the to\vn of Barbitace, 

 which is 135 miles from Susa. Here are the only 

 peo))le among mankind who have a hatred for gold, 

 which they collect together and bury, to prevent any- 

 one from using it. Adjoining the Susiani on the east 

 are the brigand Oxii and the forty independent and 

 savage tribes of the Mizaei. Above these and subject 

 to the Partliians are the Mardi and Saitae stretching 

 above Elymais, which we described as adjacent to§iii. 

 Farsistan on tlie coast. The distance of Susa from 

 the Persian Gulf is 250 miles. Near where the fleet 

 of Alexander came up the Pasitigris to the city of 

 Susa is a village on the Chaldaic lake called Aple, 

 the distance of which from Susa is a voyage of Q2^ 

 miles. The nearest people to the Susiani on the 

 east side are the Cossiaei, and beyond the Cossiaei 

 to the north is Massabatene, lying below Mount 



439 



