BOOK VI.] History of Nature. 139 



narrow Passage by Steps to Persepolis, the Head of the 

 Kingdom, and destroyed by Alexander. Moreover, in the 

 Frontiers standeth Laodicea, built by King Antiochus. 

 From thence towards the East the Magi hold the Castle of 

 Passagardae, wherein is the Tomb of Cyrus. Also the Town 

 Ecbatana belonging to the Magi, which Darius the King 

 caused to be translated to the Mountains. 1 Between the 

 Parthians and the Ariani are extended the Paraeraceni. 

 These Nations and the River Euphrates serve to limit the 

 lower Realms. Now are we to discourse of the Parts 

 remaining of Mesopotamia ; setting aside one point thereof, 

 and the People of Arabia, whereof we spoke in the former 

 Book. All Mesopotamia belonged to the Assyrians, dis- 

 persed in Villages, except Babylon and Ninus. The Mace- 

 donians collected it into Cities on account of the goodness of 

 their Soil. Besides the above-named Towns, it hath Seleucia, 

 Laodicea, and Artemita : likewise within the Nation of the 

 Arabians named Aroei and Mardani, Antiochia : and that 

 which, being founded by Nicanor, Governor of Mesopotamia, 

 is called Arabis. Upon these join the Arabians, but within 

 the Country are the Eldamarii. Above them is the Town 

 Bura, situated upon the River Pelloconta ; beyond which are 

 the Salmani and Masei, Arabians. Then there join to the 

 Gordisei the Aloni, by whom the River Zerbis passeth, and so 

 is discharged into the Tigris. The Azones and Silices, Moun- 

 taineers, together with the Orentes ; on the side of whom the 

 Town Gaugamela. Also Sue among the Rocks ; above are 

 the Sylici and Classitae, through whom the Lycus runneth 

 out of Armenia. Toward the South-east, Absittis, and the 

 Town Azochis. Presently in the Plains the Towns Diospage, 

 Polytelia, Stratonicea, and Anthemus. Nicephorion, as we 

 have already said, is seated near the River Euphrates, where 

 Alexander caused it to be founded, for the convenient Situ- 

 ation of the Place. Of the City Apamia we have before 



1 Pliny's statement as to the building of the palace, and indeed the 

 whole city of Shushan, by Darius Hystaspes, is contradicted by all Greek 

 and Oriental writers, who represent the city as extremely ancient vide 

 "Home." Wem. Club. 



