Pillars, called the Atlantic, are all one ocean. The Caspian forms one unconnected sea*: a swift-oared boat would in fifteen days measure its length, its extreme breadth in eight. It is bounded on the west by mount Caucasus, the largest and perhaps the highest mountain in the world. Caucasus is inhabited by various nations 258, , many of whom are said to subsist on what the soil spontaneously produces. They have trees whose leaves possess a most singular property: they beat them

to

*Hence it appears that Herodotus doubts whether the ocean entirely encircled the earth; on this subject Major Rennel observes with his usual perspicuity:

It has appeared, that Herodotus doubts whether the ocean completely encompasses the earth; but he admits that it surrounds it on three sides. For, speaking of the Caspian sea, as being unconnected with all others, (in effect a lake) he says, that the Erythrean sea, and the one frequented by the Greeks, as well as the Atlantic, are parts of the same ocean : Clio, 203. And as he always says, Melp. 13, 36, that the Hyperboreans, whom he places to the northward of the Scythians and Issedones, EXTENDED TO THE SEA; this is saying in other words, that the sea bordered on, and confined Europe and Asia on the north. We have here then, in express terms, a north, a south, and a west sea; but no eastern sea; so that he considered the eastern part of the world as composed of land only: for he says, that "the Indians are the last nation towards the east; and that beyond them is a vast desert, unknown and unexplored." Melp. 40. Again he says, Melp. S. "They affirm, without proving it, that the ocean, commencing at the east, flows round the earth.”

258 Various nations.]-Of these the principal were the Colchians, of the excellent produce and circumstances of whose country a minute and entertaining account is given by Strabo.-T.

to powder, and then steep them in water; this forms a dye 259, with which they paint figures of animals on their garments. The impression is so very strong, that it cannot be washed out; it appears to be interwoven in the cloth, and endures as long as the garment. The sexes communicate promiscuously, and in public, like the brutes.

CCIV. Caucasus terminates that part of the Caspian which extends to the west: it is bounded on the east by a plain of prodigious extent, a considerable part of which forms the country of the Massagetæ, against whom Cyrus meditated an attack. He was invited and urged by many strong incentives. When he considered the peculiar circumstances of his birth, he believed himself more than human. He reflected also on the prosperity of his arms, and that wherever he had extended his incursions, he had been followed by success and victory.

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CCV. The Massageta* were then governed by a queen, who was a widow, and named Tomyris.

259 Forms a dye.]-Perhaps it may be allowed to conjecture at this place, that Herodotus intended to speak of indigo.

* Some modern writers of great authority have supposed that the word Scythia, Skute, or Kutha, was only another reading

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myris. Cyrus sent ambassadors to her with overtures of marriage; the queen, concluding that his real object was the possession, not of her person, but her kingdom, forbad his approach. Cyrus, on finding these measures ineffectual, advanced to the Araxes, openly discovering his hostile designs upon the Massagetæ. He then threw a bridge of boats over the river, for the passage of his forces, which he also fortified with turrets.

CCVI. Whilst he was engaged in this difficult undertaking, Tomyris sent by her ambassadors this message: " Sovereign of the Medes, uncertain as you must be of the event, we advise you to desist from your present purpose. Be satisfied with the dominion of your own kingdom, and let us alone, seeing how we govern our subjects*. You

reading of Geta, as also that these are of the same nation with the Massageta; which is, indeed, very probable, although there is no necessity for supposing it. Probably the early Greeks hearing of a nation of Getæ beyond the Caspian and Jaxartes, (for the remains of the Getæ existed in the same tract, and under the same name, so late as the time of Tamerlane) gave them the name of Massa-Getæ, to distinguish them from the Geta in the west; but might be in doubt whether to regard them absolutely as Scythians.

* I insert this passage on the authority of Larcher, strengthened by Boerheck. The latter says, if for opew we might read Βρεων, it would be better, as Strabo observes that the Massagetæ possessed many mountainous districts; and Justin relates that Tomyris laid her ambuscade for Cyrus among the mountains.

You will not, however, listen to this salutary counsel, loving any thing rather than peace: If, then, you are really impatient to encounter the Massagetæ, give up your present labour of constructing a bridge; we will retire three days march into our country, and you shall pass over at your leisure; or, if you had rather receive us in your own territories, do you as much for us." On hearing this, Cyrus called a council of his principal officers, and, laying the matter before them, desired their advice how to act. They were unanimously of opinion, that he should retire, and wait for Tomyris in his own dominions.

CCVII. Croesus the Lydian, who assisted at the meeting, was of a different sentiment, which he defended in this manner: "I have before remarked, O king! that since Providence has rendered me your captive, it becomes me to exert all my abilities in obviating whatever menaces you

with misfortune. I have been instructed in the severe but useful school of adversity. If you were immortal yourself, and commanded an army of immortals, my advice might be justly thought impertinent; but if you confess yourself a humani leader, of forces that are human, it becomes you to remember that sublunary events have a circular motion, and that their revolution does not permit the same man always to be fortunate. Upon this present subject of debate I dissent from the ma

jority. If you await the enemy in your own dominions, a defeat may chance to lose you all your empire; the victorious Massagetæ, instead of retreating to their own, will make farther inroad

into your territories. If you conquer, you will still be a loser by that interval of time and place, which must be necessarily employed in the pursuit. I will suppose that, after victory, you will instantly advance into the dominions of Tomyris; yet can Cyrus the son of Cambyses, without disgrace and infamy, retire one foot of ground from a female adversary? I would therefore recommend, that having passed over with our army, we proceed on our march till we meet the enemy; then let us contend for victory and honour. I have been informed the Massagetæ lead a life of the meanest poverty, ignorant of Persian fare, and of Persian delicacies. Let these therefore be left behind in our camp: let there be abundance of food prepared, costly viands, and flowing goblets of wine. With these let us leave the less effective of the troops, and with the rest again retire towards the river. If I err not, the foe will be allured by the sight of our luxurious preparations, and afford us a noble occasion of victory and glory."

CCVIII. The result of the debate was, that Cyrus preferred the sentiments of Croesus: he therefore returned for answer to Tomyris, that he would