ar larger than in any other land: as to how it is
got, here again I am not able to say for certain, but it is said to be
carried off from the griffins by Arimaspians, a one-eyed race of men.
104 But I do not believe this tale either, that nature produces one-eyed
men which in all other respects are like other men. However, it would
seem that the extremities which bound the rest of the world on every
side and enclose it in the midst, possess the things which by us are
thought to be the most beautiful and the most rare.

117. Now there is a plain in Asia bounded by mountains on all sides, and
through the mountains there are five clefts. This plain belonged once
to the Chorasmians, and it lies on the borders of the Chorasmians
themselves, the Hyrcanians, Parthians, Sarangians, and Thamanaians; but
from the time that the Persians began to bear rule it belongs to the
king. From this enclosing mountain of which I speak there flows a great
river, and its name is Akes. This formerly watered the lands of these
nations which have been mentioned, being divided into five streams and
conducted through a separate cleft in the mountains to each separate
nation; but from the time that they have come to be under the Persians
they have suffered as follows:--the king built up the clefts in the
mountains and set gates at each cleft; and so, since the water has been
shut off from its outlet, the plain within the mountains is made into a
sea, because the river runs into it and has no way out in any direction.
Those therefore who in former times had been wont to make use of the
water, not being able now to make use of it are in great trouble: for
during the winter they have rain from heaven, as also other men have,
but in the summer they desire to use the water when they sow millet and
sesame seed. So then, the water not being granted to them, they come to
the Persians both themselves and their wives, and standing at the gates
of the king's court they cry and howl; and the king orders that for
those who need it most, the gates which lead to their land shall be
opened; and when their land has become satiated with drinking in the
water, these gates are closed, and he orders the gates to be opened for
others, that is to say those most needing it of the rest who remain:
and, as I have heard, he exacts large sums of money for opening them,
besides the regular tribute.

118. Thus it is with these matters: but of the seven men who had risen
against