Book 16
1.21
The Tigris flows through the middle of the lake called ThopitisThe Van. B. xi. c. xiv. § 8. in the direction of its breadth, and after traversing it to the opposite bank, sinks under ground with a loud noise and rushing of air. Its course is for a long space invisible, but it rises again to the surface not far from Gordyaea. According to Eratosthenes, it traverses the lake with such rapidity, that although the lake is saline and without fish,In b. xi. c. xiv. § 8, Strabo says that this lake contains one kind of fish only. yet in this part it is fresh, has a current, and abounds with fish.
1.22
The contracted shape of Mesopotamia extends far in length, and somewhat resembles a ship. The Euphrates forms the larger part of its boundary. The distance from Thapsacus to Babylon, according to Eratosthenes, is 4800 stadia, and from the (ZeugmaNow Roumkala, from the fortress which defends the passage of the river. bridge in Commagene, where Mesopotamia begins, to Thapsacus, is not less than 2000 stadia.
1.23
The country lying at the foot of the mountains is very fertile. The people, called by the Macedonians Mygdones, occupy the parts towards the Euphrates, and both Zeugmata, that is, the Zeugma in Commagene, and the ancient Zeugma at Thapsacus. In their territory is Nisibis,Nisibin. which they called also Antioch in Mygdonia, situated below Mount Masius,Kara-dagh. and Tigranocerta,Sered. and the places about Carrhae, Nicephorium,Haran. Chordiraza,Racca. and Sinnaca, where Crassus was taken prisoner by stratagem, and put to death by Surena, the Parthian general.B. C. 51.
