[124] To--the name Βόσπορος is derived from βοὸς πόρος, the passage of the Cow. [125] So Virgil calls them Indomitique Dahæ. In the Georgics, also, he speaks of the Chalybes as producers of iron. At Chalybes nudi ferrum. [126] Or triennial, from τρεῖς, three; and ἒτος, a year. [127] From Διόσκουροι, the sons of Jupiter, _i.e._, Castor and Pollux. [128] From ἡνίοχος, a charioteer. [129] The old name was Ἂξεινος, inhospitable; turned into εὔξεινος, friendly to strangers--εὐήθης, according to etymology, would mean "of a good disposition:" εὐφρόνη, "the time when people have happy thoughts;" Εὐμενίδες, "deities of propitious might." [130] A people living in one of the islands near Sicily, and changed by Jupiter as related, Ov. Met. xiv., into monkeys. [131] Two of the chief giants, Hom. Od. xi. [132] A time spoken of by Pliny as before the fourth watch. [133] These books are lost. [134] We must remark here Ammianus's complete ignorance of comparative geography and the bearings of the different countries of which he speaks. The Syrtes and Cape Ras are due _west_, not south of Egypt, The Ethiopians and Catadupi are on the north; while the Arabs, whom he places in the same line, are on the south-east. The Sea of Issus, on the Levant, which he places on the west, is on the north. [135] The Blemmyæ were an Ethiopian tribe to the south of Egypt. [136] These names seem derived from the real or fancied shape of the snakes mentioned: the amphisbæna, from ἀμφὶ and βαίνω, to go both ways, as it was believed to have a head at each end. The scytalas was like "a staff;" the acontias, like "a javelin;" the dipsas was a thirsty snake. [137] From ἀντὶ, opposite; and σκιὰ, shadow. BOOK XXIII. ARGUMENT. I. Julian in vain attempts to restore the temple at Jerusalem, which had been destroyed long before.--II. He orders Arsaces, king of Armenia, to prepare for the war with Persia, and with an army and auxiliary troops of the Scythians crosses the Euphrates.--III. As he marches through Mesopotamia, the princes of the Saracenic tribes of their own accord offer him a golden crown and auxiliary troops--A Roman fleet of eleven hundred ships arrives, and bridges over the Euphrates.--IV. A description of several engines, balistæ, scorpions, or wild-asses, battering-rams, helepoles, and fire-machines.--V. Julian, with all his army, crosses the river Aboras by a bridge of boats at Circesium--He harangues his soldiers.--VI. A description of the eighteen principal provinces of Persia, their cities, and the customs of their inhabitants. I. A.D. 363.