Histories

from this Serbonian marsh, where Typho is supposed to have been hidden,[*](Hot winds and volcanic agency were attributed by Greek mythology to Typhon, cast down from heaven by Zeus and “buried” in hot or volcanic regions. Typhon came to be identified with the Egyptian god Set; and the legend grew that he was buried in the Serbonian marsh.) the country is Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt. Now between Ienysus and the Casian mountain and the Serbonian marsh there lies a wide territory for as much as three days' journey, terribly arid.

I am going to mention something now which few of those who sail to Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt know. Earthen jars full of wine are brought into Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt twice a year from all Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeGreece and +Phoenicia (region (general)), Asia Phoenicia besides: yet one might safely say there is not a single empty wine jar anywhere in the country.

What then (one may ask) becomes of them? I shall explain this too. Each governor of a district must gather in all the earthen pots from his own township and take them to Mit Rahina [31.25,29.85] (inhabited place), Giza, Upper Egypt, Egypt, AfricaMemphis, and the people of Mit Rahina [31.25,29.85] (inhabited place), Giza, Upper Egypt, Egypt, AfricaMemphis must fill them with water and carry them to those arid lands of +Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria; so the earthen pottery that is brought to Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt and unloaded or emptied there is carried to +Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria to join the stock that has already been taken there.

Now as soon as the Persians took possession of Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, they became the caretakers of the entryway into it, having it provisioned with water in the way I have described.