Histories

for he would be compelled to sail around Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya, until he completed his voyage and came to the Persian Gulf [53.83,25.583] (gulf), AsiaArabian Gulf. Xerxes agreed to this, and Sataspes went to Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt where he received a ship and a crew from the Egyptians, and sailed past the Pillars of Heracles.

Having sailed out beyond them, and rounded the Libyan promontory called Solois,[*](Probably Cape Cantin, in the latitude of Madeira.) he sailed south; but when he had been many months sailing over the sea, and always more before him, he turned back and made sail for Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt.

Coming to King Xerxes from there, he related in his narrative that, when he was farthest distant, he sailed by a country of little men, who wore palm-leaf clothing; these, whenever he and his men put in to land with their ship, left their towns and fled to the hills; he and his men did no harm when they landed, and took nothing from the people except cattle.

As to his not sailing completely around Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya, the reason (he said) was that the ship could move no farther, but was stopped. But Xerxes did not believe that Sataspes spoke the truth, and, as the task appointed was unfulfilled, he impaled him, punishing him on the charge first brought against him.