The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 1 (of 6)Pliny, the Elder
History
The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 1 (of 6)
Pliny, the Elder
Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works
The Atlantes[3479], if we believe what is said, have lost all
characteristics of humanity; for there is no mode of distinguishing
each other among them by names, and as they look upon the rising and
the setting sun, they give utterance to direful imprecations against
it, as being deadly to themselves and their lands; nor are they
visited with dreams[3480], like the rest of mortals. The Troglodytæ
make excavations in the earth, which serve them for dwellings; the
flesh of serpents is their food; they have no articulate voice, but
only utter a kind of squeaking noise[3481]; and thus are they utterly
destitute of all means of communication by language. The Garamantes
have no institution of marriage among them, and live in promiscuous
concubinage with their women. The Augylæ worship no deities[3482] but
the gods of the infernal regions. The Gamphasantes, who go naked, and
are unacquainted with war[3483], hold no intercourse whatever with
strangers. The Blemmyæ are said to have no heads, their mouths and
eyes being seated in their breasts. The Satyri[3484], beyond their
figure, have nothing in common with the manners of the human race,
and the form of the Ægipani[3485] is such as is commonly represented
in paintings. The Himantopodes[3486] are a race of people with feet
resembling thongs, upon which they move along by nature with a
serpentine, crawling kind of gait. The Pharusii, descended from the
ancient Persians, are said to have been the companions of Hercules when
on his expedition to the Hesperides. Beyond the above, I have met with
nothing relative to Africa[3487] worthy of mention.
CHAP. 9. (9.)—EGYPT AND THEBAIS.
Joining on to Africa is Asia, the extent of which, according to
Timosthenes, from the Canopic mouth of the Nile to the mouth of the
Euxine, is 2639 miles. From the mouth of the Euxine to that of Lake
Mæotis is, according to Eratosthenes, 1545 miles. The whole distance to
the Tanais, including Egypt, is, according to Artemidorus and Isidorus,
6375[3488] miles. The seas of Egypt, which are several in number, have
received their names from those who dwell upon their shores, for which
reason they will be mentioned together.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account