BIBLIOTHECA AUGUSTANA

 

Isidorus Characenus

floruit ca. 50 a. Chr. n.

 

Σταθμοὶ Παρθικοί

 

Textus:

Parthian Stations by Isidore of Charax

An Account of the Overland Trade Route

Between the Levant and India

The greek text with a translation and

commentary by Wilfred H. Schoff

Philadelphia: Published by the Commercial Museum, 1914

Facsimile: Internet Archive

 

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Συμπορευόμενοι (saec. III, Bosra)

 

 

1 σχοῖνος ≈ 5.5 km

 

Μεσοποταμίας καὶ Βαβυλωνίας σχοῖνοι ροαʹ.

Ἀπολλωνιάτιδος σχοῖνοι λγʹ.

Χαλωνίτιδος σχοῖνοι καʹ.

Μηδίας σχοῖνοι κβʹ.

Καμβαδηνῆς σχοῖνοι λαʹ.

Μηδίας τῆς ἄνω σχοῖνοι ληʹ.

Ῥαγιανῆς Μηδίας σχοῖνοι νηʹ.

Χοαρηνῆς σχοῖνοι ιθʹ.

Κομισηνῆς σχοῖνοι νηʹ.

Ὑρκανίας σχοῖνοι ξʹ.

Ἀσταυηνῆς σχοῖνοι ξʹ.

Παρθυηνῆς σχοῖνοι κεʹ.

Ἀπαυαρκτικηνῆς σχοῖνοι κζʹ.

Μαργιανῆς σχοῖνοι λʹ.

Ἀρείας σχοῖνοι λʹ.

Ἀναυῆς σχοῖνοι νεʹ.

Ζαραγγιανῆς σχοῖνοι καʹ.

Σακαστανῆς σχοῖνοι ξγʹ.

Ἀραχωσίας σχοῖνοι λςʹ.

 

Ὁμοῦ σχοῖνοι ωνηʹ.

 

 

Μεσοποταμίας καὶ Βαβυλῶνος σχοῖνοι ροαʹ.

 

1. Διαβάντων τὸν Εὐφράτην κατὰ Ζεῦγμα, πόλις ἐστὶν Ἀπάμεια, εἶτα Δαίαρα κώμη. Ἀπέχει δὲ Ἀπαμείας καὶ τοῦ Εὐφράτου ποταμοῦ σχοίνους γʹ. Εἶτα Χάραξ Σίδου, ὑπὸ δὲ Ἑλλήνων Ἀνθεμουσιὰς πόλις, σχοῖνοι εʹ· μεθʼ ἣν Κοραία ἡ ἐν Βατάνηι, ὀχύρωμα, σχοῖνοι γʼ. Ἐν δεξιοῖς ταύτης Μαννούορρα Αὐυρὴθ, ὀχύρωμα καὶ κρήνη, ἐξ ἧς ἄρδουσιν οἱ ἐγχώριοι, σχοῖνοι εʹ. Εἶτα Κομμισίμβηλα ὀχύρωμα· παραρρεῖ δὲ ποταμὸς Βίληχα, σχολνοι δʹ. Εἶτα Ἄλαγμα ὀχύρωμα, σταθμὸς βασιλικὸς, σχοῖνοι γʹ· μεθʼ ὃν Ἴχναι πόλις Ἑλληνὶς, Μακεδόνων κτίσμα· κεῖται δʼ ἐπὶ Βάλιχα ποταμοῦ, σχοῖνοι γʹ. Εἶτα Νικηφόριον παρʼ Εὐφράτην πόλις Ἑλληνὶς, κτίσμα Ἀλεξάνδρου βασιλέως, σχοῖνοι εʹ. Ἔνθεν παραποταμία Γαλάβαθα, κώμη ἔρημος, σχοῖνοι δʹ, Εἶτα Χουμβανὴ κώμη, σχοῖνος αʹ· ἔνθεν Θιλλάδα Μιρράδα, σταθμὸς βασιλικὸς, σχοῖνοι δʹ. Εἶτα βασίλεια, Ἀρτέμιδος ἱερὸν, Δαρείου κτίσμα, κωμόπολις· ἐνταῦθα Σεμιράμιδός ἐστι διῶρυξ, καὶ λίθοις πέφρακται ὁ Εὐφράτης, ἵνα στενοχωρούμενος ὑπερκλύζηι τὰ πεδία· θέρους μέντοι ναυαγεῖ τὰ πλοῖα. Εἶτα Ἀλλὰν κωμόπολις, σχοῖνοι δʹ· ἔνθεν Βηονὰν, Ἀρτέμιδος ἱερὸν, σχοῖνοι δʹ. Εἶτα Φάλιγα κώμη πρὸς τῶι Εὐφράτηι· λέγοιτο δʼ ἂν ἑλληνιστὶ μεσοπορικὸν, σχοῖνοι ςʹ. Ἀπὸ Ἀντιοχείας ἕως τούτου σχοῖνοι ρκʹ· ἐντεῦθεν δὲ ἐπὶ Σελεύκειαν τὴν πρὸς τῶι Τίγριδι σχοῖνοι ρʹ. Παράκειται δὲ τῆ Φάλιγα κωμόπολις Ναβαγὰθ, καὶ παραρρεῖ αὐτὴν ποταμὸς Ἀβούρας, ὃς ἐμβάλλει εἰς τὸν Εὐφράτην· ἐκεῖθεν διαβαίνει τὰ στρατόπεδα εἰς τὴν κατὰ Ῥωμαίους πέραν. Εἶτα Ἄσιχα κώμη, σχοῖνοι δʹ· ἔνθεν Δοῦρα Νικάνορος πόλις, κτίσμα Μακεδόνων, ὑπὸ δὲ Ἑλλήνων Εὔρωπος καλεῖται, σχοῖνοι ςʹ. Εἶτα Μέρραν ὀχύρωμα, κωμόπολις, σχοῖνοι εʹ. Εἶτα Γιδδὰν πόλις, σχοῖνοι εʹ. Εἶτα Βηλεσὶ Βιβλάδα, σχοῖνοι ζʹ. Ἔνθεν νῆσος κατὰ τὸν Εὐφράτην, σχοῖνοι ςʹ· ἐνταῦθα γάζα ἦν Φραάτου τοῦ ἀποσφάξαντος τὰς παλλακίδας, ὅτε Τηριδάτης φυγὰς ὢν εἰσέβαλεν. Εἶτα Ἀναθὼ νῆσος κατὰ τὸν Εὐφράτην σταδίων δʹ, ἐν ἧι πόλις, σχοῖνοι δʹ· μεθʼ ἣν Θιλαβοὺς νῆσος κατὰ τὸν Εὐφράτην, ἔνθα γάζα Πάρθων, σχοῖνοι βʹ. Εἶτα Ἴζαν νησόπολις, σχοῖνοι ιβʹ. Εἶτα Ἀείπολις, ἔνθα ἀσφαλτίτιδες πηγαὶ, σχοῖνοι ιςʹ. Ἔνθεν Βεσήχανα πόλις, ἐν ἧι ἱερὸν Ἀτάργατι, σχοῖνοι ιβʹ. Εἶτα Νεάπολις παρὰ τὸν Εὐφράτην, σχοῖνοι κβʹ. Ἔνθεν διαβάντων τὸν Εὐφράτην καὶ Ναρμάλχαν ἐπὶ Σελεύκειαν τὴν πρὸς τῶι Τίγριδι, σχοῖνοι θʹ. Ἄχρι τούτου Μεσοποταμία καὶ Βαβυλωνία· καὶ εἰσὶν ἀπὸ Ζεύγματος ἄχρι Σελευκείας σχοῖνοι ροαʹ.

2. Ἐντεῦθεν ἄρχεται ἡ Ἀπολλωνιᾶτις, ἥτις κατέχει σχοίνους λγʹ. Ἔχει δὲ κώμας, ἐν αἷς σταθμὸς, πόλιν δὲ Ἑλληνίδα Ἀρτέμιτα· διὰ μέσης δὲ ταύτης ῥεῖ ποταμὸς Σίλλα. Εἰσὶ δὲ εἰς αὐτὴν ἀπὸ Σελευκείας σχοῖνοι ιεʹ. Νῦν μέντοι ἡ πόλις καλεῖται Χαλάσαρ.

3. Ἐνταῦθεν ἡ Χαλωνῖτις, σχοῖνοι καʹ· ἐν ἧι κῶμαι εʹ, ἐν αἷς σταθμὸς, πόλις δὲ Ἑλληνὶς Χάλα, ἀπὸ τῆς Ἀπολλωνιάτιδος σχοῖνοι ιεʹ. Εἶτα ἀπὸ σχοίνων εʹ ὄρος ὃ καλεῖται Ζάγρος, ὅπερ ὁρίζει τὴν Χαλωνῖτιν χώραν καὶ τὴν τῶν Μήδων.

4. Ἐντεῦθεν Μηδία, ἥτις κατέχει σχοίνους κβʹ. Ἡ ἀρχὴ αὐτῶν ἡ χώρα Κάρινα· ἐν ἧι κῶμαι εʹ, ἐν αἷς σταθμὸς, πόλις δὲ οὐδεμία.

5. Ἐντεῦθεν Γαμβαδηνὴ, ἥτις κατέχει σχοίνους λαʹ, ἐν ἧι κῶμαι εʹ, ἐν αἷς σταθμὸς, πόλις δὲ Βάπτανα ἐπʼ ὄρους κειμένη· ἔνθα Σεμιράμιδος ἄγαλμα καὶ στήλη.

6. Ἐντεῦθεν ἡ Μνδία ἡ ἄνω, σχοῖνοι ληʹ· καὶ ἄρχεται εὐθὺς πόλις Κογκοβάρ· ἔνθα Ἀρτέμιδος ἱερὸν, σχοῖνοι γʹ. Εἶτα Βαζιγράβαν, ὅ ἐστι τελώνιον, σχοῖνοι γʹ. Εἶτα εἰς Ἀδραπάναν τὰ βασίλεια τῶν ἐν Βατάνοις, ἃ Τιγράνης ὁ Ἄρμένιος καθεῖλε, σχοῖνοι δʹ. Εἶτα Βάτανα, μητρόπολις Μηδίας καὶ θησαυροφυλάκιον καὶ ἱερὸν, ὅπερ Ἀναΐτιδος· ἀεὶ θύουσιν· σχοῖνοι ιβʹ. Εἶτα ἑξῆς τρεῖς κῶμαι, ἐν αἷς σταθμός.

7. Ἐντεῦθεν [Ῥαγιανὴ] Μηδία, σχοῖνοι [νηʹ]. Ἐν ἧι κῶμαι ιʹ, πόλεις δὲ εʹ. Ἀπὸ σχοίνων ζʹ Ῥάγα καὶ Χάραξ, ὧν μεγίστη τῶν κατὰ τὴν Μηδίαν ἡ Ῥάγα. Εἰς δὲ τὴν Χάρακα πρῶτος βασιλεὺς Φραάτης τοὺς Μάρδους ὤικισεν· ἔστιν ὑπὸ τὸ ὄρος, ὃ καλεῖται Κάσπιος, ἀφʼ οὗ Κάσπιαι πύλαι.

8. Ἐντεῦθεν ὑπερβάντων τὰς Κασπίας πύλας ἐστὶν αὐλὼν καὶ ἡ Χοαρηνὴ, [σχοῖνοι ιθʹ]· ἐν ἧι Ἀπάμεια πόλις ἀπὸ σχοίνων δʹ· κῶμαι δέ δʹ, ἐν αἷς σταθμός.

9. Ἐντεῦθεν Κομισηνὴ, σχοῖνοι νηʹ, ἐν ἧι κῶμαι ηʹ, ἐν αἷς σταθμός· πόλις δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν.

10. Ἐντεῦθεν Ὑρκανία, σχοῖνοι ξʹ, ἐν ἧι κῶμαι ιαʹ, ἐν αἷς σταθμοί.

11. Ἐντεῦθεν Ἀσταυηνὴ, σχοῖνοι ξʹ, ἐν κῶμαι ιβʹ, ἐν αἷς σταθμοί· πόλις δὲ Ἀσαὰκ, ἐν ἧι Ἀρσάκης πρῶτος βασιλεὺς ἀπεδείχθη· καὶ φυλάττεται ἐνταῦθα πῦρ ἀθάνατον.

12. Ἐντεῦθεν Παρθυηνὴ, σχοῖνοι κεʹ, ἧς αὐλών· Παρθαύνισα ἡ πόλις ἀπὸ σχοίνων ςʹ· ἔνθα βασιλικαὶ ταφαί· Ἕλληνες δὲ Νίσαιαν λέγουσιν. Εἶτα Γάθαρ πόλις ἀπὸ σχοίνων ςʹ. Εἶτα Σιρὼκ πόλις ἀπὸ σχοίνων εʹ. Κώμας δὲ οὐκ ἔχει πλὴν μιᾶς, ἥτις καλεῖται Σαφρί.

13. Ἐντεῦθεν Ἀπαυαρκτικηνὴ, σχοῖνοι κζʹ· ἐν ἧι πόλις Ἀπαυαρκτική. Εἶτα Ῥαγαῦ πόλις καὶ κῶμαι δύο.

14. Ἐντεῦθεν Μαργιανὴ, σχοῖνοι λʹ. Ἔνθα Ἀντιόχεια ἡ καλουμένη Ἔνυδρος· κῶμαι δὲ οὐκ εἰσίν.

15. Ἐντεῦθεν Ἄρεια, σχοῖνοι λʹ. Ἔνθα Κανδὰκ πόλις καὶ Ἀρτακαύαν πόλις καὶ Ἀλεξάνδρεια ἡ ἐν Ἀρείοις· κῶμαι δὲ δʹ.

16. Ἐντεῦθεν Ἀναύων χώρα τῆς Ἀρείας, σχοῖνοι νεʹ, ἐν ἧι πόλις μεγίστη Φρὰ καὶ Βὶς πόλις καὶ Γαρὶ πόλις καὶ Νιὴ πόλις· κώμη δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν.

17. Ἐντεῦθεν Ζαραγγιανὴ, σχοῖνοι καʹ. Ἔνθα πόλις Πάριν καὶ Κορὸκ πόλις.

18. Ἐντεῦθεν Σακαστανὴ Σακῶν Σκυθῶν, ἡ καὶ Παραιτακηνὴ, σχοῖνοι ξγʹ. Ἔνθα Βαρδὰ πόλις καὶ Μὶν πόλις καὶ Παλακεντὶ πόλις καὶ Σιγὰλ πόλις· ἔνθα βασίλεια Σακῶν· καὶ πλησίον Ἀλεξάνδρεια πόλις (καὶ πλησίον Ἀλεξανδρόπολις πόλις)· κῶμαι δὲ ἕξ.

19. Ἐντεῦθιν Ἀραχωσία, σχοῖνοι λςʹ. Ταύτην δὲ οἱ Πάρθοι Ἰνδικὴν Λευκὴν καλοῦσιν· ἔνθα Βιὺτ πόλις καὶ Φάρσανα πόλις καὶ Χοροχοὰδ πόλις καὶ Δημητριὰς πόλις· εἶτα Ἀλεξανδρόπολις, μητρόπολις Ἀραχωσίας· ἔστι δὲ Ἑλληνὶς, καὶ παραρρεῖ αὐτὴν ποταμὸς Ἀραχωτός. Ἄχρι τούτου ἐστὶν ἡ τῶν Πάρθων ἐπικράτεια.

 

 

 

 

Through Mesopotamia and Babylonia 171 Schoeni.

Through Apolloniatis 33 Schoeni.

Through Chalonitis 21 Schoeni.

Through Media 22 Schoeni.

Through Cambadena 31 Schoeni.

Through Upper Media 38 Schoeni.

Through Media Rhagiana 58 Schoeni.

Through Choarena 19 Schoeni.

Through Comisena 58 Schoeni.

Through Hyrcania 60 Schoeni.

Through Astauena 60 Schoeni.

Through Parthyena 25 Schoeni.

Through Apauarticena 27 Schoeni.

Through Margiana 30 Schoeni.

Through Aria 30 Schoeni.

Through Anaua 55 Schoeni.

Through Zarangiana 21 Schoeni.

Through Sacastana 63 Schoeni.

Through Arachosia 36 Schoeni.

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Total 858 Schoeni.

 

Through Mesopotamia and Babylonia 171 Schoeni.

 

1. For those who cross the Euphrates, next to Zeugma is the city of Apamia, and then the village of Daeara. It is 3 schoeni distant from Apamia and the river Euphrates. Then Charax Sidae, called by the Greeks the city of Anthemusias, 5 schoeni: beyond which is Coraea, in Batana, a fortified place: 3 schoeni. To the right of this place is Mannuorrha Auyreth, a fortified place, and a well, from which the inhabitants get drinking water, 5 schoeni. Then Commisimbela, a fortified place: by which flows the river Bilecha, 4 schoeni. Then Alagma, a fortified place, a royal station, 3 schoeni; beyond which is Ichnae, a Greek city, founded by the Macedonians: it is situated on the river Balicha: 3 schoeni. Then Nicephorium by the Euphrates, a Greek city, founded by King Alexander, 5 schoeni. Farther on, by the river, is Galahatha, a deserted village, 4 schoeni. Then the village of Chumbana, 1 schoenus; farther on Thillada Mirrhada, a royal station , 4 schoeni. Then a royal place, a temple of Artemis, founded by Darius, a small town; close by is the canal of Semiramis, and the Euphrates is dammed with rocks, in order that by being thus checked it may overflow the fields; but also in summer it wrecks the boats; to this place, 7 schoeni. Then Allan, a walled village, 4 schoeni. Then Phaliga, a village on the Euphrates (that means in Greek half-way), 6 schoeni. From Antioch to this place, 120 schoeni; and from thence to Seleucia, which is on the Tigris, 100 schoeni. Nearby Phaliga is the walled village of Nabagath, and by it flows the river Aburas, which empties into the Euphrates; there the legions cross over to the Roman territory beyond the river. Then the village of Asich, 4 schoeni; beyond which is the city of Dura Nicanoris, founded by the Macedonians, also called by the Greeks Europus, 6 schoeni. Then Merrha, a fortified place, a walled village, 5 schoeni. Then the city of Giddan, 5 schoeni. Then Belesi Biblada, 7 schoeni. Beyond is an island in the Euphrates, 6 schoeni; there was the treasure of Phraates, who cut the throats of his concubines, when Tiridates who was exiled, invaded [the land]. Then Anatho, an island in the Euphrates, of 4 stadia, on which is a city, 4 schoeni; beyond which is Thilabus, an island in the Euphrates; there is the treasure of the Parthians, 2 schoeni. Then Izan, a city on an island, 12 schoeni. Then Aipolis, [the city of Is] where there are bituminous springs, 16 schoeni. Beyond is the city of Besechana, in which is a temple of Atargatis, 12 schoeni. Then Neapolis by the Euphrates, 22 schoeni. From that place those leaving the Euphrates and passing through Narmalchan come to Seleucia on the Tigris, 9 schoeni. To this place [extend] Mesopotamia and Babylonia; and from Zeugma to Seleucia there are 171 schoeni.

2. From that place begins Apolloniatis, which extends 33 schoeni. It has villages, in which there are stations; and a Greek city, Artemita; through the midst of which flows the river Silla. To that place from Seleucia is 15 schoeni. But now the city is called Chalasar.

3. From that place, Chalonitis, 21 schoeni; in which there are 5 villages, in which there are stations, and a Greek city, Chala, 15 schoeni beyond Apolloniatis. Then, after 5 schoeni, a mountain which is called Zagrus, which forms the boundary between the district of Chalonitis and that of the Medes.

4. From that place, [Lower] Media, which extends 22 schoeni. The beginning is at the district of Carina; in which there are 5 villages in which there are stations, but no city.

5. From that place, Cambadene, which extends 31 schoeni, in which there are 5 villages, in which there are stations, and a city, Bagistana, situated on a mountain; there is a statue and a pillar of Semiramis.

6. From that place, Upper Media, 38 schoeni; and at 3 schoeni from the very beginning of it is the city of Concobar; there is a temple of Artemis, 3 schoeni. Then Bazigraban, which is a custom house, 3 schoeni. Thence to Adrapana, the royal residence of those who ruled in Ecbatana, and which Tigranes the Armenian destroyed, 4 schoeni. Then Ecbatana, the metropolis of Media and the treasury, and a temple, sacred to Anaitis; they sacrifice there always; 12 schoeni. And beyond that place are 3 villages in which there are stations.

7. From that place [Rhagiana] Media, [58] schoeni. In it are 10 villages, and 5 cities. After 7 schoeni are Rhaga and Charax; of which Rhaga is the greatest of the cities in Media. And in Charax the first king Phraates settled the Mardi; it is beneath a mountain, which is called Caspius, beyond which are the Caspian Gates.

8. Beyond that place, for those passing through the Caspian Gates there is a narrow valley, and the district of Choarena [19 schoeni]; in which is the city of Apamia, after 4 schoeni; and there are 4 villages in which there are stations.

9. Beyond is Comisena, 58 schoeni, in which there are 8 villages in which there are stations, but there is no city.

10. Beyond is Hyrcania, 60 schoeni, in which there are 11 villages in which there are stations.

11. Beyond is Astauena, 60 schoeni, in which there are 12 villages in which there are stations; and the city of Asaac, in which Arsaces was first proclaimed king; and an everlasting fire is guarded there.

12. Beyond is Parthyena, 25 schoeni; within which is a valley, and the city of Parthaunisa after 6 schoeni; there are royal tombs. But the Greeks call it Nisaea. Then the city of Gathar after 6 schoeni. Then the city of Siroc after 5 schoeni. Of villages it has no more than one, which is called Saphri.

13. Beyond is Apauarcticena, 27 schoeni, in which is the city of Apauarctica. Then the city of Ragau and two villages.

14. Beyond is Margiana, 30 schoeni. There is Antiochia, called well-watered; but there are no villages.

15. Beyond is Aria, 30 schoeni. There are the city of Candac and the city of Artacauan and Alexandria of the Arii; and 4 villages.

16. Beyond is Anauon, a region of Aria, 55 schoeni, in which is a very great city, Phra, and the city of Bis, and the city of Gari and the city of Nia; but there is no village.

17. Beyond is Zarangiana, 21 schoeni. There are the city of Parin and the city of Coroc.

18. Beyond is Sacastana of the Scythian Sacae, which is also Paraetacena, 63 schoeni. There are the city of Barda and the city of Min and the city of Palacenti and the city of Sigal; in that place is the royal residence of the Sacae; and nearby is the city of Alexandria (and nearby is the city of Alexandropolis), and 6 villages.

19. Beyond is Arachosia, 36 schoeni. And the Parthians call this White India; there are the city of Biyt and the city of Pharsana and the city of Chorochoad and the city of Demetrias; then Alexandropolis, the metropolis of Arachosia; it is Greek, and by it flows the river Arachotus. As far as this place the land is under the rule of the Parthians.