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[9]

These are the distances which he gives.

Stadia.
From the Caspian Sea to the Cyrus about1800
Thence to the Caspian Gates5600
Thence to Alexandreia in the territory of the Arii6400
Thence to the city Bactra, which is called also Zariaspa3870
Thence to the river Iaxartes, which Alexander reached, about5000
———
Making a total of22,670
———

He also assigns the following distances from the Caspian Gates to India.

Stadia.
To Hecatompylos11960
To Alexandreia2 in the country of the Arii (Ariana)4530
Thence to Prophthasia3 in Dranga4 (or according to others 1500）1600
Thence to the city Arachoti54120
Thence to Ortospana on the three roads from Bactra62000
Thence to the confines of India1000
———
Which together amount to15,3007
———

We must regard as continuous with this distance, in a straight line, the length of India, reckoned from the Indus to the, Eastern Sea.

Thus much then respecting the Sacæ.

1 There is great doubt where it was situated; the distances recorded by ancient writers not corresponding accurately with known ruins. It has been supposed that Damgham corresponds best with this place; but Damgham is too near the Pylee Caspiæ: on the whole it is probable that any remains of Hecatompylos ought to be sought in the neighbourhood of a place now called Jah Jirm. Smith, art. Hecatompylos.

2 Now Herat, the capital of Khorassan. See Smith, art. Aria Civitas.

3 Zarang.

4 Sigistan.

5 Ulan Robât, but see Smith, art. Arachotus.

6 Balkh. See Smith.

7 The sum total is 15,210 stadia, and not 15,300 stadia. This latter sum total is to be found again in b. xv. c. ii. § 8, but the passage there referred to has served to correct a still greater error in the reading of this chapter, viz. 15,500. Corrections of the text have been proposed, but their value is doubtful.

The Geography of Strabo. Literally translated, with notes, in three volumes. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.

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