ASAMA
ASAMA (
Ἀσάμα), a river of Mauretania Tingitana, falling into the Atlantic, in 32° N. lat. (
Ptol. 4.1.3), 30′ S. of Port Rhusibis, and 20′ N. of the river Diour. All along this coast, the positions may be safely determined by Ptolemy's
latitudes (his
longitudes are greatlyout); consequently Asaima
is Wadi-Tensift, the river which,in its upper course, flows past
Marocco: Portus Rhusibis is
Saffee, and the river Diour is
Wad-al Gored, which falls into the ocean by
Mogador. (Comp. Rennell,
Geog. of Herod. vol. ii. p. 16.) Pliny, who calls it Asana, places it, on the authority of native report, 150 M.P. from Sala (
Sallee : it is nearly 200 in a direct line), and adds the description, “
marino haustu sed portu spectabile” (5.1. s. 1).
It is thought by some to be the same as the river Anatis,. which Pliny mentions a little before, on the authority of Polybius, as 205 M. P. from Lixus ; but the distances do not agree. Some also identify it with the Anidus (
Ἄνιδος) or, according to the emendation of Salmasius,
[p. 1.230]Adonis of Scylax (p. 52, or p. 123; ed. Gronov.); but that river is much further N., between Lixus and the Straits.
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P.S]
