Book 17
3.23
The country deep in the interior, and above the Syrtis and Cyrenaea, a very sterile and dry tract, is in the possession of Libyans. First are the Nasamones, then Psylli, and some Gaetuli, then Garamantes; somewhat more towards the east (than the Nasamones) are the Marmaridae, who are situated for the most part on the boundaries of Cyrenaea, and extend to the temple of Ammon. It is asserted, that persons directing their course from the recess of the Great Syrtis, (namely,) from about the neighbourhood of Automala,Groskurd has a long note on this passage, and reads τοὑς κατ’ αὐτὸν νασαμῶνας. The words in the original text, τοὺς κατ’ αὐτὸ μαλακῶς, present the great difficulty; but Kramer reads τοῦ for τοὺς, and has adopted in the text Falconer’s proposed correction, κατ’ αὐτομάλά πως. The name Augila is wanting in the text; it is supplied by Groskurd, and approved by Kramer, who refers to Herod. iv. 172, 182. in the direction of the winter sunrise, arrive on the fourth day at Augila.Aujela, an oasis in the desert of Barca; it still retains its ancient name, and forms one of the chief stations on the caravan route from Cairo to Fezzan. This place resembles Ammon, and is productive of palm trees, and is well supplied with water. It is situated beyond Cyrenaea to the south: for 100 stadia the soil produces trees; for another 100 stadia the land is only sown, but from excessive heat does not grow rice.
