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τὰ . . . ἐχόμενα, ‘the various kinds of corn already mentioned’; the perfect ἀπῖκται has been thought to refer to a previous description by Hecataeus (v. s.). It is, however, only a picturesque anticipation of criticism; cf. Matzat, pp. 438-9.

σησάμων. Layard (Nineveh, ii. 423) confirms this; cf. Xen. Anab. iv. 4. 13 for this and other substitutes for olive oil (in Armenia). It was made from the ‘sesame’ seed.

φοίνικες. H. is quite right as to their abundance.

καρποφόροι marks the contrast to those in the Aegean regions, which do not ripen their fruits. Cf. Theop. Hist. Plant. iii. 3. 5.

Dates were a main article of food in Babylonia; for the manifold uses of the palm-tree cf. Strabo 742, who says they were 360 in number, and E. B.11 xx. 642 s. v.

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