ngdom through the
neighing of his horse.

37. In this district a medical oil is prepared with which if an arrow be
smeared, and it be shot gently from a loose bow (for it loses its effect
in a rapid flight), wherever it sticks it burns steadily, and if any one
attempts to quench it with water it only burns more fiercely, nor can it
be put out by any means except by throwing dust on it.

38. It is made in this manner. Those skilful in such arts mix common oil
with a certain herb, keep it a long time and when the mixture is
completed they thicken it with a material derived from some natural
source, like a thicker oil. The material being a liquor produced in
Persia, and called, as I have already said, naphtha in their native
language.

39. In this district there are many cities, the most celebrated of which
are Zombis, Patigran, and Gazaca; but the richest and most strongly
fortified are Heraclia, Arsacia, Europos, Cyropolis, and Ecbatana, all
of which are situated in the Syromedian region at the foot of Mount
Jasonius.

40. There are many rivers in this country, the principal of which are
the Choaspes, the Gyndes, the Amardus, the Charinda, the Cambyses, and
the Cyrus, to which, on account of its size and beauty, the elder Cyrus,
that amiable king, gave its present name, abolishing that which it used
to bear, when he was proceeding on his expedition against Scythia; his
reason being that it was strong, as he accounted himself to be, and that
making its way with great violence, as he proposed to do, it falls into
the Caspian Sea.

41. Beyond this frontier ancient Persia, stretching towards the south,
extends as far as the sea, and is very thickly peopled, being also rich
in grain and date-trees, and well supplied with excellent water. Many of
its rivers fall into the gulf already mentioned, the chief of which are
the Vatrachites, the Rogomanis, the Brisoana, and the Bagrada.

42. Its inland towns are very considerable; it is uncertain why they
built nothing remarkable on the sea-coast. Those of most note are
Persepolis, Ardea, Obroatis, and Tragonice. The only islands visible
from that coast are these:--Tabiana, Fara, and Alexandria.

43. On the borders of this ancient Persia towards the north is Parthia,
a country subject to snow and frost; the principal river which
intersects that region is the Choatres; the chief towns are Genonia,
Moesia, Charax, Apamia, Artacana, and Hecatompylos; from its frontier
along the