ndeed that they are ignorant of the art of ploughing, and some
districts where the soil is fertile are regularly sown; nor are trees
wanting to plant in suitable spots: many of the people too support
themselves by commerce.

52. In this province are two rivers of universal celebrity the Oxus and
the Maxera, which tigers sometimes, when urged by hunger, cross by
swimming, and unexpectedly ravage the neighbouring districts. It has
also besides other smaller towns some strong cities, two on the
sea-shore named Socunda and Saramanna; and some inland, such as Azmorna
and Sole, and Hyrcana, of higher reputation than either.

53. Opposite to this tribe, towards the north, live the Abii, a very
devout nation, accustomed to trample under foot all worldly things, and
whom, as Homer somewhat fabulously says, Jupiter keeps in view from
Mount Ida.

54. The regions next to the Hyrcaneans are possessed by the Margiani,
whose district is almost wholly surrounded by high hills, by which they
are separated from the sea; and although the greater part of this
province is deserted from want of water, still there are some towns in
it; the best known of which are Jasonium, Antiochia, and Nisaea.

55. Next to them are the Bactrians, a nation formerly very warlike and
powerful, and always hostile to the Persians, till they drew all the
nations around under their dominion, and united them under their own
name; and in old time the Bactrian kings were formidable even to
Arsaces.

56. The greater part of their country, like that of the Margiani, is
situated far from the sea-shore, but its soil is fertile, and the cattle
which feed both on the plains and on the mountains in that district are
very large and powerful; of this the camels which Mithridates brought
from thence, and which were first seen by the Romans at the siege of
Cyzicus, are a proof.

57. Many tribes are subject to the Bactrians, the most considerable of
which are the Tochari: their country is like Italy in the number of its
rivers, some of which are the Artemis and the Zariaspes, which were
formerly joined, and the Ochus and Orchomanes, which also unite and
afterwards fall into the Oxus, and increase that large river with their
streams.

58. There are also cities in that country, many of them on the border of
different rivers, the best of which are Chatra, Charte, Alicodra,
Astacea, Menapila, and Bactra itself, which has given its name both to
the region and to the people.