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8
First, then, the Ethiopians next Egypt are actually separated into two divisions; one part being in Asia, the other
in Libya, otherwise there is no distinction between them. But
it was not on this account that Homer divided the Ethiopians,
nor yet because he was acquainted with the physical superiority of the Indians, (for it is not probable that Homer had
the slightest idea of the Indians, since, according to the assertion of Eudoxus, Euergetes was both ignorant of India, and of
the voyage thither,) but his division rather resulted from the
cause we formerly mentioned. We have shown that as for
the alteration of Crates, it makes no difference whether it be
read so or not. Posidonius, however, says that it does make
a difference, and would be better altered into towards the
descending [sun]. But in what can this be said to differ
from towards the west, since the whole section of the hemisphere west of the meridian is styled the west, not only
the mere semicircle of the horizon. This is manifested by the
following expression of Aratus,
Where the extremities of the west and east blend together. note
Phaenom. v. 61.
POLYBIUS, in his Chorography of Europe, tells us that it is not his intention to examine the writings of the ancient geographers, but the statements of those who have criticised them,
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Strabo, Geography (English) (XML Header) [genre: prose] [word count] [lemma count] [Str.].