Histories

for we have seen that (as the Egyptians themselves say, and as I myself judge) the Delta is alluvial land and but lately (so to speak) came into being. Then if there was once no land for them, it was an idle notion that they were the oldest nation on earth, and they need not have made that trial to see what language the children would first speak.

I maintain, rather, that the Egyptians did not come into existence together with what the Ionians call the Delta, but have existed since the human race came into being; and as the land grew in extent, there were many of them who stayed behind, and many who spread down over it. Be that as it may, the Theban district, a land of seven hundred and sixty-five miles in circumference, was in the past called Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt.

If, then, our judgment of this is right, the Ionians are in error concerning Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt; but if their opinion is right, then it is plain that they and the rest of the Greeks cannot reckon truly, when they divide the whole earth into three parts, Europe (continent)Europe, Asia (continent)Asia, and Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya;

they must add to these a fourth part, the Delta of Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, if it belongs neither to Asia (continent)Asia nor to Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya; for by their showing the Nahr an- Nil [31.1,30.166] (river), AfricaNile is not the river that separates Asia (continent)Asia and Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya; the Nahr an- Nil [31.1,30.166] (river), AfricaNile divides at the apex of this Delta, so that this land must be between Asia (continent)Asia and Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya.

We leave the Ionians' opinion aside, and our own judgment about the matter is this: Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt is all that country which is inhabited by Egyptians, just as Cilicia [34.333,36.666] (region (general)), Turkey, AsiaCilicia and Assyria are the countries inhabited by Cilicians and Assyrians, and we know of no boundary line (rightly so called) below Asia (continent)Asia and Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya except the borders of the Egyptians.