138 
JOURNEY FROM 
numerous quadrangular buildings which are scattered in all direc- 
tions over the Syrtis, in passing from Sooleb to Bengazi. These 
structures may be said to commence at Mahad Hassan ; but they 
assume at Zaffran the appearance of regular forts, and may there 
be considered as the commencement ,of a chain of fortified posts 
extending itself through the whole of the Syrtis*. They usually 
occupy the higher grounds, although some of them are situated in 
the plains, and are generally so placed as to have been originally 
seen from each other. Indeed no opportunity appears to have been 
neglected by the ancients of securing the advantages of pasturage 
and water which occur in the regions of the Syrtis ; wherever these 
exist we find fortresses erected, or regular stations established, which 
would materially contribute to facihtate the march of troops and to 
prevent at the same time the predatory incursions of the Arabs and 
the establishment of their tribes in these desirable positions. 
If it be considered necessary to fix the sight of the roTo? A<r«5 at 
the first place where remains of ancient building are found, after the 
lake which is laid down by Strabo, we must place it at Mahad 
Hassan ; but if it must be identified with the port mentioned with 
it, which does not seem, indeed, to be necessary, we are then obhged 
to fix it at the first place where a port is to be met with, after the 
termination of the marsh, and this wiU bring us to Mersa Zaffranf . 
* Buildings of the same nature are also found in the Cyrenaica. 
t Aspis is laid down in Ptolemy on the western side of the gulf, at about sixty miles 
within the promontory of Triaeorium ; but this distance would only bring us within nine 
miles of J aireed, and we have already stated that Mahad Hassan is the first place in the 
