Histories

I was unable to learn anything from anyone else, but this much further I did learn by the most extensive investigation that I could make, going as far as the city of Elephantine to look myself, and beyond that by question and hearsay.

Beyond Elephantine, as one travels inland, the land rises. Here one must pass with the boat roped on both sides as men harness an ox; and if the rope breaks, the boat will be carried away by the strength of the current.

This part of the river is a four days' journey by boat, and the Nahr an- Nil [31.1,30.166] (river), AfricaNile here is twisty just as the Buyukmenderes Nehri [27.183,37.466] (river), Turkey, Asia Maeander; a distance of twelve schoeni must be passed in the foregoing manner. After that, you come to a level plain, where there is an island in the Nahr an- Nil [31.1,30.166] (river), AfricaNile, called Takhompso.

The country above Elephantine now begins to be inhabited by Ethiopians: half the people of the island are Ethiopians, and half Egyptians. Near the island is a great lake, on whose shores live nomadic Ethiopians. After crossing this, you come to the stream of the Nahr an- Nil [31.1,30.166] (river), AfricaNile, which empties into this lake.

Then you disembark and journey along the river bank for forty days; for there are sharp projecting rocks in the Nahr an- Nil [31.1,30.166] (river), AfricaNile and many reefs, through which no boat can pass.