Kitap 17
1.2
Two rivers empty themselves into it, which issue out of some lakes towards the east, and encircle Meroë, a considerable island.Although generally described as an island, it was, like Mesopotamia, a district included between rivers: the city Meroë was situated in lat. 16° 44. One of these rivers is called Astaboras,Tacazze. flowing along the eastern side of the island. The other is the Astapus, or, as some call it, Astasobas. But the AstapusBahr-el-Azrek, or Blue river. is said to be another river, which issues out of some lakes on the south, and that this river forms nearly the body of the (stream of the) Nile, which flows in a straight line, and that it is filled by the summer rains; that above the confluence of the Astaboras and the Nile, at the distance of 700 stadia, is Meroë, a city having the same name as the island; and that there is another island above Meroë, occupied by the fugitive Egyptians, who revolted in the time of Psammitichus,See b. xvi. c. iv. § 8, and Herod. ii. 30, who calls the Sembritae, Automoloi, that is, persons who had voluntarily quitted their abode. and are called Sembritae, or foreigners. Their sovereign is a queen, but they obey the king of Meroë.
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The lower parts of the country on each side Meroë, along the Nile towards the Red Sea, are occupied by Megabari and Blemmyes, who are subject to the Ethiopians, and border upon the Egyptians; about the sea are Troglodytae. The Troglodytae, in the latitude of Meroë, are distant ten or twelve days’ journey from the Nile. On the left of the course of the Nile live Nubae in Libya, a populous nation. They begin from Meroë, and extend as far as the bends (of the river). They are not subject to the Ethiopians, but live independently, being distributed into several sovereignties.
1.2
The extent of Egypt along the sea, from the Pelusiac to the Canobic mouth, is 1300 stadia.
1.2
Such is the account of Eratosthenes.
