Greek Texts & Translations

who examine these marks communicate the result to the public for their information. For it is known long before, by these marks, and by the time ^note elapsed from the commencement, what the future rise of the river will be, and notice is given of it. This information is of service to the husbandmen with reference to the distribution of the water; for the purpose also of attending to the embankments, canals, and other things of this kind. It is of use also to the governors, who fix the revenue; for the greater the rise of the river, the greater it is expected will be the revenue.

At Syene there is a well which indicates the summer solstice, because these places lie under the tropical circle, ^note [and occasions the gnomons to cast no shadows at midday]. ^note For on proceeding from the places in our country, in Greece I mean, towards the south, the sun is there first over