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.

Listen to something else about the Colchians, in which they are like the Egyptians: they and the Egyptians alone work linen and have the same way of working it, a way peculiar to themselves; and they are alike in all their way of life, and in their speech. Linen has two names: the Colchian kind is called by the Greeks Sardonian [*](There seems to be no reason for connecting Colchian linen with +Sardinia [9,40] (region), Italy, Europe Sardinia (as *sardwniko/n would imply). The Colchian word may have had a similar sound.) ; that which comes from Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt is called Egyptian.

As to the pillars that Sesostris, king of Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, set up in the countries, most of them are no longer to be seen. But I myself saw them in the +Palestine [35.333,31.916] (region (general)), Asia Palestine district of +Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria, with the aforesaid writing and the women's private parts on them.