9
But that I may not seem to be doing the easiest thing in assailing what others have said without exhibiting any specimen of my own,The same sentiment occurs in Isoc. 10.15. I will try briefly to expound the same subject — even though it is not serious and does not call for a dignified style — and show out of what elements you ought to have composed the eulogy and the speech in defense.
10
Of the noble lineage of Busiris who would not find it easy to speak? His father was Poseidon, his mother Libya the daughter of EpaphusCf. Aesch. PB 850, where Epaphus is said to be the son of Zeus and Io. the son of Zeus, and she, they say, was the first woman to rule as queen and to give her own name to her country. Although fortune had given him such ancestors, these alone did not satisfy his pride, but he thought he must also leave behind an everlasting monument to his own valor.
11
He was not content with his mother’s kingdom, considering it too small for one of his endowment; and when he had conquered many peoples and had acquired supreme power he established his royal seat in Egypt, because he judged that country to be far superior as his place of residence, not only to the lands which then were his, but even to all other countries in the world.
12
For he saw that all other regions are neither seasonably nor conveniently situated in relation to the nature of the universe, but some are deluged by rains and others scorched by heat; Egypt,Egypt here means the Delta of the Nile; cf. Hdt. 2.14. Praise of Egypt is found in Plat. Tim. 22c. however, having the most admirable situation of the universe,i.e., as regards climate and fertility. was able to produce the most abundant and most varied products, and was defended by the immortal ramparts of the Nile,
