n the north,
opposite to which, at a distance of 2,500 furlongs, is the Criu-Metopon,
a promontory of Taurica. From this spot the whole of the sea-coast,
beginning at the river Halys, is like the chord of an arc fastened at
both ends.

21. On the frontiers of this district are the Dahae,[125] the fiercest
of all warriors; and the Chalybes, the first people who dug up iron, and
wrought it to the use of man. Next to them lies a large plain occupied
by the Byzares, the Saqires, the Tibareni, the Mosynaeci, the Macrones
and the Philyres, tribes with which we have no intercourse.

22. And at a small distance from them are some monuments of heroes,
where Sthenelus, Idmon, and Tiphys are buried, the first being that one
of Hercules's comrades who was mortally wounded in the war with the
Amazons; the second the soothsayer of the Argonauts; the third the
skilful pilot of the crew.

23. After passing by the aforesaid districts, we come to the cave Aulon,
and the river of Callichorus, which derives its name from the fact that
when Bacchus, having subdued the nations of India in a three years' war,
came into those countries, he chose the green and shady banks of this
river for the re-establishment of his ancient orgies and dances; and
some think that such festivals as these were those called
Trieterica.[126]

24. Next to these frontiers come the famous cantons of the Camaritae, and
the Phasis, which with its roaring streams reaches the Colchi, a race
descended from the Egyptians; among whom, besides other cities, is one
called Phasis from the name of the river; and Dioscurias,[127] still
famous, which is said to have been founded by the Spartans Amphitus and
Cercius, the charioteers of Castor and Pollux; from whom the nation of
Heniochi[128] derives its origin.

25. At a little distance from these are the Achaei, who after some
earlier Trojan war, and not that which began about Helen, as some
authors have affirmed, were driven into Pontus by foul winds, and, as
all around was hostile, so that they could nowhere find a settled abode,
they always stationed themselves on the tops of snowy mountains; and,
under the pressure of an unfavourable climate they contracted a habit of
living on plunder in contempt of all danger; and thus became the most
ferocious of all nations. Of the Cercetae, who lie next to them, nothing
is known worth speaking of.

26. Behind them lie the inhabitants of the Cimmerian Bosphorus, living
in cities fo