Greek Texts & Translations

ings are required to obviate the suffocating heat the houses are long.

The beam made of the palm tree has a peculiar property, for although it retains its solidity, it does not as it grows old give way downwards, but curves upwards with the weight, and is a better support to the roof.

The cause of the scorching heat is said to be high, overhanging mountains on the north, which intercept the northern winds. These, blowing from the tops of the mountains at a great height, fly over without touching the plains, to the more southern parts of Susis. There the air is still, particularly when the Etesian winds cool the other parts of the country which are burnt up by heat. 11

Susis is so fertile in grain, that barley and wheat produce, generally, one hundred, and sometimes two hundred fold. Hence the furrows are not ploughed close together, for the roots when crowded impede the sprouting of the plant.

The vine did not grow there before the Macedonians planted it, both there and at Babylon. They do not dig trenches, but thrust down into the ground iron-headed stakes, which when drawn out are immediately replaced by the plants.

Such is the character of the inland parts. The sea-coast is marshy and without harbours; hence Nearchus says, that he met with no native guides, when coasting with his fleet from India to Babylonia, for nowhere could his vessels put in, nor was he able to procure persons who could direct him by their knowledge and experience. 12

The part of Babylonia formerly called Sitacene, and afterwards Apolloniatis, ^note is situated near Susis.

Above both, on the north and towards the east, are the Elymaei ^note and the Paraetaceni, predatory people relying for security on their situation in a rugged and mountainous country. The Paraetaceni lie more immediately above the Apolloniatae, and therefore annoy them the more. The Elymaei are at war with this people and with the Susians, and the Uxii with the Elymaei, but not so constantly at present as might be expected, on account of the power of the Parthians, to whom all the in-