Histories

The Ister, since it flows through inhabited country, is known from many reports; but no one can speak of the source of the Nahr an- Nil [31.1,30.166] (river), AfricaNile; for Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya, though which it runs, is uninhabited and desert. Regarding its course, I have related everything that I could learn by inquiry; and it issues into Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt. Now Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt lies about opposite to the mountainous part of Cilicia [34.333,36.666] (region (general)), Turkey, AsiaCilicia;

from there, it is a straight five days' journey for an unencumbered man to +Sinope [35.15,42.0167] (Perseus) Sinope on the +Black Sea [38,42] (sea) Euxine; and +Sinope [35.15,42.0167] (Perseus) Sinope lies opposite the place where the Ister falls into the sea. Thus I suppose the course of the Nahr an- Nil [31.1,30.166] (river), AfricaNile in its passage through Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya to be like the course of the Ister.

It is sufficient to say this much concerning the Nahr an- Nil [31.1,30.166] (river), AfricaNile. But concerning Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, I am going to speak at length, because it has the most wonders, and everywhere presents works beyond description; therefore, I shall say the more concerning Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt.

Just as the Egyptians have a climate peculiar to themselves, and their river is different in its nature from all other rivers, so, too, have they instituted customs and laws contrary for the most part to those of the rest of mankind. Among them, the women buy and sell, the men stay at home and weave; and whereas in weaving all others push the woof upwards, the Egyptians push it downwards.