1841.] Marnier s and Habits of the Torkoman Tribes. 293 



very great. It is scarcely to be expected from posthumous historians 

 that in relating the transactions which occurred in a distant and 

 nearly unknown country, where a different language prevailed, that 

 the correctness of their geographical information should be such as to 

 enable us to trace with minuteness the various cities and petty king- 

 doms which they have occasion to mention at the distance of two 

 thousand years.* It is with difficulty we can even guess at the 

 principal places reported by these historians of Alexander the Great 

 to have been subdued by him. 



One of the most interesting places to inquire the situation of, it 

 appears to me to be the hill fort, which seems to have been occupied 

 by the Sogdians. This I imagine is no other than the Killat Nadir,\ 

 which very accurately corresponds with the description given of it by 

 Arrian and Quintus Curtius. The names of nations and cities are very 

 much confounded together, and this would appear to be the case with 

 the Sogdians, Scythians, and Bactrians.J This rock may perhaps be 

 thought likewise to answer to that of Aornas, since travellers have 

 in vain inquired for it on the banks of the Indus ; for Arrian says, 

 that Alexander leaving Herat (Aria) went to the cities of Aornas 

 and Bactria. Killat Nadir is situated on the borders of the Desert, 



* With reference to the above, the following are submitted; some of them I 

 have endeavoured to settle: — 



Drapsaca? Budukshan. 



Margiana. Marghina, the valley of the Moorgab river and the territory adjoining. 



Nantaca ? Sogdiana. 



Drangce ? People inhabiting one of the mountain ranges of the Parapamisan spine. 

 They are characterized by Quintus Curtius as " Bellecosa Natione." 



Dai. The Cashgar people inhabiting the Western hills as far as Darwas. These 

 hills are called the " Beeloor Tay" I believe. 



Maeotis. The lake Aral. 



Paratucas ? 



Choriensis Petra ? This is perhaps the present Kellati Nadir in Khorassan. 



Nicaea sacro ? 



Thyrceas ? 



Ara Sacos ? This may be conceived a place of worship of the Sacse, who were a 

 tribe of Scythians. 



Jenippa ? Is represented a vastly rich and populous country, which attracted, by its 

 fruitfulness, settlers from all parts. This territory was situated on the borders of 

 Scythia and would correspond to the present Fergana. 



t Vide B. Frazer. It is situated north of Meshid, on the borders of the Desert. 



% These are described as all horsemen who exercise the profession of plunderers 

 I even in the time of peace. The Torkomans of the present day are now more bar- 

 barous in their cruelties, if possible, in quiet times, than during war. 



