Geography of Media
But, indeed, even before that he was a formidable
note
enemy owing to the importance of his province. For the whole of the royal horses
out at grass are entrusted to the Medes; note
and they have an incalculable quantity of corn and cattle.
Of the natural strength and extent of the district it would
be impossible to speak highly enough. For Media lies
nearly in the centre of Asia and in its size, and in the height
of its steppes compares favourably with every other district of
Asia. And again it overlooks some of the most warlike and
powerful tribes. On the east lie the plains of the desert
which intervenes between Persia and Parthia; and, moreover,
it borders on and commands the "Caspian Gates," and touches
the mountains of the Tapyri, which are not far from the
Hyrcanian Sea. On the south it slopes down to Mesopotamia
and the territory of Apollonia. It is protected from Persia by
the barrier of Mount Zagrus, which has an ascent of a
hundred stades, and containing in its range many separate
peaks and defiles is subdivided by deep valleys, and at certain
points by cañons, inhabited by Cosseans, Corbrenians, Carchi,
and several other barbarous tribes who have the reputation of
being excellent warriors. Again on the west it is coterminous
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with the tribe called Satrapeii, who are not far from the tribes
which extend as far as the Euxine. Its northern frontier is
fringed by Elymaeans, Aniaracae, Cadusii, and Matiani, and
overlooks that part of the Pontus which adjoins the Maeotis.
Media itself is subdivided by several mountain chains running
from east to west, between which are plains thickly studded
with cities and villages.
