Greek Texts & Translations

golden apples of the Hesperides, the Islands of the Blessed ^note they speak of, which we know are still pointed out to us not far distant from the extremities of Maurusia, and opposite to Gades. 14

I repeat that the Phoenicians were the discoverers [of these countries], for they possessed the better part of Iberia and Libya before the time of Homer, and continued masters of those places until their empire was overthrown by the Romans. This also is an evidence of the wealth of Iberia: in the expedition of the Carthaginians under Barcas, ^note they found, according to historians, that the people of Turdetania used silver goblets ^note and casks. One might guess too that it was on account of this great opulence that the men of the country, and their chiefs in particular, were styled long-lived. Wherefore Anacreon thus sings, Neither would I desire the horn of Amalthea, nor to reign over Tartessus one hundred and fifty years. Herodotus too has preserved the name of the king, whom he calls Arganthonius. ^note The passage of Anacreon must therefore either be understood [of this king], or some other like him; or else more generally thus, nor to reign for a length- ened period in Tartessus. Some writers ^note are of opinion that Tartessus is the present Carteia. 15

The Turdetani not only enjoy a salubrious climate, but their manners are polished and urbane, as also are those of the people of Keltica, by reason of their vicinity [to the Turdetani], or, according to Polybius, on account of their