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H. here uses Cilicia in the wide sense, as including not only (1) the strip of coast, but also (2) the Taurus region to the north as far as, and even beyond, the Halys (i. 72. 2), and (3) the country to the north-east (the later Commagene) as far as the Euphrates (v. 52. 3). Hence the tribute of this satrapy was a heavy one, 500 talents (v. 49. 6). As, however, 140 talents was spent in the province, it is only reckoned as 360 talents in the total (c. 95). Cilicia was held by native rulers who all bore the Semitic name Συέννεσις (cf. i. 74. 3; v. 118. 2; vii. 98. 1); perhaps this was a title (cf. ‘Pharaoh’). Their dependence on the central power varied according to its strength or weakness.

The ‘white horses’ were sacred to the sun-god Mithra (for their sacrifice cf. vii. 113. 2 n.); hence one is paid for each of the 360 days in the year. They were also sacred to Ormazd (vii. 40). Strabo (525) says there was a similar tribute of horses, besides other cattle, from Cappadocia and from Media (1,500 and ‘about 3,000’ horses respectively).

For the tribute in kind cf. i. 192 n. and App. VI. 8.

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