Kitap 17
1.45
Then follows the isthmus, extending to the Red Sea near Berenice,The ruins are situated lat. 23° 56′ N., and about 35° 34′ E. which has no harbour, but good landing-places, because the isthmus is conveniently situated. Philadelphus is said to be the first person that opened, by means of his army, this road, which had no supply of water, and to have provided stations.After σταθμοὺ, in the text, follows ὥσπερ τοὶς ἐμποοͅίοις ὁδεύμασι καὶ διὰ τῶν καμήλων, which Kramer considers to be an interpolation. Groskurd corrects, and reads σταθμοὺς προσφόρους τοῖς ἐμπόροις ὁδεύουσι καὶ πεζή͂ κὰ διὰ τῶν καμήλων, stations for the service of travellers on foot and on camels. This he did because the navigation of the Red Sea was difficult, particularly to those who set out from the recess of the bay. Experience showed the great utility of this plan, and at present all the Indian, Arabian, and such Ethiopian merchandise as is imported by the Arabian Gulf is carried to Coptos, which is the mart for such commodities. Not far from Berenice is Myos Hormus,Near old Kosseir; the Veneris Portus of Pliny. It was founded by Ptolemy Philadelphus, B. C. 274. The Greek name may signify, Harbour of the Mouse, but more probably it means the Harbour of the Mussel, (μύειν, to close, e. g. the shell,) since on the neighbouring coast the pearl-mussel is collected in large quantities. It is uncertain whether the ruins at the village of Abuschaar, represent the site of the ancient Myos Hormus. See Smith’s Dict., art. Myos Hormus a city with a naval station for vessels which navigate this sea; at no great distance from Coptos is the city of Apollo, so that two cities are the boundaries of the isthmus, one on each side. But at present Coptos and Myos Hormus are in repute, and they are frequented.
