Chap. 17.] 
ACCOUNT or COUNTRIES, ETC. 
29 
twenty-eight miles in extent. This narrow pass, too, is ren- 
dered still more difficult by a liquid salt which oozes from the 
rocks, and uniting in a single stream, makes its way along the 
pass. Besides this, it is frequented by such multitudes of 
serpents, that the passage is quite impracticable except in 
winter. 
(15.) Joining up to Adiabene are the people formerly known 
as the *Carduchi,* now the Cordueni,^^ in front of whom the 
river Tigris flows : and next to them are the Pratitae, entitled 
the Pa/r Odon^^^ who hold possession of the Caspian Gates.'^^ 
On the other side^^ of these gates we come to the deserts^^ of 
Parthia and the mountain chain of Cithenus ; and after that, 
the most pleasant locality of all Parthia, Choara^^ by name. 
Here were two cities of the Parthians, built in former times for 
their protection against the people of Media, Calliope, and 
Issatis, the last of which stood formerly^* on a rock. Heca- 
tompylos,^^ the capital of Parthia, is distant from the Caspian 
Gates one hundred and thirty- three miles. In such an effectual 
manner is the kingdom of Parthia shut out by these passes. 
After leaving these gates we find the nation of the Caspii, ex- 
tending as far as the shores of the Caspian, a race which has 
given its name to these gates as well as to the sea : on the left 
This was the name of the wild tribes which occupied the high moun- 
tainous district between the great upland of Persia and the low plains of 
Mesopotamia. In addition to the name mentioned by Pliny, they were 
called Gordyge, Cardaces, and Curtii. The present Kurds, inhabiting Kur- 
distan, are supposed to be descended from them. 
The Greek Trap' 6^6 " on the road" — meaning, probably, to the 
Caspian Gates. Hardouin says that the Pratitae were so called from the 
Greek Trparirat, merchants." 
*9 Although dwelling at a considerable distance, the custody of these 
gates was delivered to them, Hardouin says, by the kings of Media. 
^ To the south-east of them. 
51 Mentioned in c. 29 of the present Book. 
^2 Or Choarene. 
*3 Its site is unknown ; but it is mentioned by Appian as one of the 
many towns erected by Seleucus. 
5^ By the use of the word " quondam," he implies that in his time it 
was in ruins. 
^5 A place of considerable importance, which seems to have derived its 
name from its " hundred gates." It was one of the capitals of the Ar- 
sacidan princes ; but, extensive though it may have been, there is great 
doubt where it was situate, the distance recorded by ancient writers not 
corresponding with any known ruins. 
