Kitap front
preface.12
The dates at which particular books were written, as attempted to be given by Groskurd and Coraÿ, must be received with caution.
preface.12
In book iv. c. vi. § 9, Strabo says that the Carni and Taurisci had quietly paid tribute for thirty-three years; and both these tribes were reduced to subjection by Tiberius and Drusus, B. C. 14. This book was therefore written in A. D. 19.
preface.13
In book vi. c. iv. § 2, Caesar Germanicus is spoken of as still living. He died in Syria, A. D. 20 (19). This book was therefore written before that year.
preface.13
In book xii. c. viii. § 11, Strabo says that Cyzicus was still a free state. It lost its liberty A. D. 25. This book was therefore written before A. D. 25. Whether Strabo was alive or dead at this date, we have no means of determining.
preface.13
The codices or manuscripts which exist of Strabo’s work appear to be copies of a single manuscript existing in the middle ages, but now lost. From the striking agreement of errors and omissions in all now extant (with such differences only as can be accounted for, arising from the want of ability or carelessness of the copyist), it appears most probable that to this single manuscript we are indebted for the preservation of the work. Strabo himself describes the carelessness of bad scribes both at Rome and Alexandria,Book xiii. c. i. § 54, vol. ii. p. 380. in the following expressive language: Some vendors of books, also, employed bad scribes and neglected to compare the copies with the originals. This happens in the case of other books, which are copied for sale both here and at Alexandria. After what Kramer has done for the text, we can hope for little improvement, unless, what is beyond all expectation, some other manuscript should be discovered which is either derived from another source, or is a more correct copy.
preface.13
The following is some account of those in existence:—
preface.13
Codices in the Imperial Library, Paris:
