Book 1
2.28
Ephorus likewise shows us the opinion of the ancients respecting Ethiopia, in his Treatise on Europe. He says, If the whole celestial and terrestrial globe were divided into four parts, the Indians would possess that towards the east, the Ethiopians towards the south, the Kelts towards the west, and the Scythians towards the north. He adds that Ethiopia is larger than Scythia; for, says he, it appears that the country of the Ethiopians extends from the rising to the setting of the sun in winter; and Scythia is opposite to it. It is evident this was the opinion of Homer, since he places Ithaca Towards the gloomy region,Odyssey ix. 26.Odyssey ix. 26. that is, towards the north,Strabo is mistaken in interpreting πρὸς ζόφον towards the north. It means here, as every where else, towards the west, and allusion in the passage is made to Ithaca as lying west of Greece. but the others apart, Towards the morning and the sun, by which he means the whole southern hemisphere: and again when he says, speed they their course With right-hand flight towards the ruddy east, Or leftward down into the shades of eve.Whether they fly to the right towards the morn and the sun, or to the left towards the darkening west. Iliad xii. 239.Iliad xii. 239. And again, Alas! my friends, for neither west Know we, nor east, where rises or where sets The all-enlightening sun.O my friends! since we know not where is the west, nor where the morning, nor where the sun that gives light to mortals descends beneath the earth, nor where he rises up again. Odyssey x. 190.Odyssey x. 190. Which we shall explain more fully when we come to speak of Ithaca.In Book x.
