Histories

The Phoenicians and the Syrians of +Palestine [35.333,31.916] (region (general)), Asia Palestine acknowledge that they learned the custom from the Egyptians, and the Syrians of the valleys of the Thermodon and the Parthenius, as well as their neighbors the Macrones, say that they learned it lately from the Colchians. These are the only nations that circumcise, and it is seen that they do just as the Egyptians.

But as to the Egyptians and Ethiopians themselves, I cannot say which nation learned it from the other; for it is evidently a very ancient custom. That the others learned it through traffic with Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, I consider clearly proved by this: that Phoenicians who traffic with Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas cease to imitate the Egyptians in this matter and do not circumcise their children.