ἴδωμεν δὲ καὶ Ποσειδώνιον ἅ φησιν ἐν τοῖς περὶ ὠκεανοῦ· δοκεῖ γὰρ ἐν αὐτοῖς τὰ πολλὰ γεωγραφεῖν, τὰ μὲν οἰκείως τὰ δὲ μαθηματικώτερον. οὐκ ἄτοπον οὖν ἔνια καὶ τῶν ὑπὸ τούτου λεγομένων διαιτῆσαι, τὰ μὲν νῦν τὰ δʼ ἐν τοῖς καθʼ ἕκαστα ὡς ἂν ὑποπίπτῃ, μέτρου τινὸς ἐχομένους. ἔστιν οὖν τι τῶν πρὸς γεωγραφίαν οἰκείων τὸ τὴν γῆν ὅλην ὑποθέσθαι σφαιροειδῆ καθάπερ καὶ τὸν κόσμον, καὶ τὰ ἄλλα παραδέξασθαι τὰ ἀκόλουθα τῇ ὑποθέσει ταύτῃ· τούτων δʼ ἐστὶ καὶ τὸ πεντάζωνον αὐτὴν εἶναι.
WE will now proceed to examine the statements made by Posidonius in his Treatise on the Ocean. This Treatise contains much geographical information, sometimes given in a manner conformable to the subject, at others too mathematical. It will not, therefore, be amiss to look into some of his statements, both now and afterwards, as opportunity occurs, taking care to confine ourselves within bounds. He deals simply with geography, when he tells us that the earth is spheroidal and the universe too, and admits the necessary consequences of this hypothesis, one of which is, that the earth contains five zones.
φησὶ δὴ ὁ Ποσειδώνιος τῆς εἰς πέντε ζώνας διαιρέσεως ἀρχηγὸν γενέσθαι Παρμενίδην· ἀλλʼ ἐκεῖνον μὲν σχεδόν τι διπλασίαν ἀποφαίνειν τὸ πλάτος τὴν διακεκαυμένην ὑπερπίπτουσαν ἑκατέρων τῶν τροπικῶν εἰς τὸ ἐκτὸς καὶ πρὸς ταῖς εὐκράτοις· Ἀριστοτέλη δὲ αὐτὴν καλεῖν τὴν μεταξὺ τῶν τροπικῶν, τὰς δὲ μεταξὺ τῶν τροπικῶν καὶ τῶν ἀρκτικῶν εὐκράτους. ἀμφοτέροις δʼ ἐπιτιμᾷ δικαίως· διακεκαυμένην γὰρ λέγεσθαι τὸ ἀοίκητον διὰ καῦμα· τῆς δὲ μεταξὺ τῶν τροπικῶν πλέον ἢ τὸ ἥμισυ τοῦ πλάτους οὐκ οἰκήσιμόν ἐστιν ἐκ τῶν ὑπὲρ Αἰγύπτου στοχαζομένοις Αἰθιόπων, εἴπερ τὸ μὲν ἥμισυ τοῦ παντὸς πλάτους ἐστὶν ὃ διαιρεῖ ἐφʼ ἑκάτερα ὁ ἰσημερινός, τούτου δὲ τὸ μὲν ἀπὸ τῆς Συήνης, ἥπερ ἐστὶν ὅριον τοῦ θερινοῦ τροπικοῦ, εἰς Μερόην εἰσὶ πεντακισχίλιοι, τὸ δʼ ἐνθένδε ἕως τῆς Κινναμωμοφόρου παραλλήλου, ὅσπερ ἐστὶν ἀρχὴ τῆς διακεκαυμένης, τρισχίλιοι. τοῦτο μὲν οὖν τὸ διάστημα πᾶν ἐστι μετρητόν, πλεῖταί τε γὰρ καὶ ὁδεύεται· τὸ δʼ ἑξῆς μέχρι τοῦ ἰσημερινοῦ λόγῳ δείκνυται κατὰ τὴν ὑπʼ Ἐρατοσθένους γενομένην ἀναμέτρησιν τῆς γῆς ὅτι ἐστὶ σταδίων ὀκτακισχιλίων ὀκτακοσίων· ὃν δὴ λόγον ἔχει τὰ μύρια ἑξακισχίλια ὀκτακόσια πρὸς τὰ ὀκτακισχίλια , τοῦτον ἂν ἔχοι τὸ μεταξὺ τῶν τροπικῶν διάστημα πρὸς τὸ τῆς διακεκαυμένης πλάτος. κἂν τῶν νεωτέρων δὲ ἀναμετρήσεων εἰσάγηται ἡ ἐλαχίστην ποιοῦσα τὴν γῆν, οἵαν ὁ Ποσειδώνιος ἐγκρίνει περὶ ὀκτωκαίδεκα μυριάδας οὖσαν, περὶ ἥμισύ που ἀποφαίνει τὴν διακεκαυμένην τῆς μεταξὺ τῶν τροπικῶν ἢ μικρῷ τοῦ ἡμίσους μείζονα, ἴσην δὲ καὶ τὴν αὐτὴν οὐδαμῶς. τοῖς τε ἀρκτικοῖς οὔτε παρὰ πᾶσιν οὖσιν οὔτε τοῖς αὐτοῖς πανταχοῦ τίς ἂν διορίζοι τὰς εὐκράτους, αἵπερ εἰσὶν ἀμετάπτωτοι; τὸ μὲν οὖν μὴ παρὰ πᾶσιν εἶναι τοὺς ἀρκτικούς, οὐδὲν ἂν εἴη πρὸς τὸν ἔλεγχον· δεῖ γὰρ παρὰ τοῖς τὴν εὔκρατον οἰκοῦσιν εἶναι πᾶσι, πρὸς οὕσπερ καὶ λέγεται μόνους εὔκρατος. τὸ δὲ μὴ πανταχοῦ τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον, ἀλλὰ μεταπίπτειν, καλῶς εἴληπται.
Posidonius informs us that Parmenides was the first to make this division of the earth into five zones, but that he almost doubled the size of the torrid zone, which is situated between the tropics, by bringing it beyond these into the temperate zones. But according to Aristotle the torrid zone is contained between the tropics, the temperate zones occupying the whole space between the tropics and the arctic circles. Both of these divisions Posidonius justly condemns, for the torrid zone is properly the space rendered uninhabitable by the heat. Whereas more than half of the space between the tropics is inhabited, as we may judge by the Ethiopians who dwell above Egypt. The equator divides the whole of this space into two equal parts. Now from Syene, which is the limit of the summer tropic, to Meroe, there are 5000 stadia, and thence to the parallel of the Cinnamon region, where the torrid zone commences, 3000 stadia. The whole of this distance has been measured, and it may be gone over either by sea or land; the remaining portion to the equator is, if we adopt the measure of the earth supplied by Eratosthenes, 8800 stadia. Therefore, as 16,800 is to 8800, so is the space comprised between the tropics to the breadth of the torrid zone.
If of the more recent measurements we prefer those which diminish the size of the earth, such as that adopted by Posidonius, which is about 180,000 stadia, the torrid zone will still only occupy half, or rather more than half, of the space comprised between the tropics; but never an equal space. [Respecting the system of Aristotle, Posidonius farther says,] Since it is not every latitude which has Arctic Circles, and even those which do possess them have not the same, how can any one determine by them the bounds of the temperate zones, which are immutable? Nothing however is proved [against Aristotle] from the fact that there are not Arctic Circles for every latitude, since they exist for all the inhabitants of the temperate zone, on whose account alone the zone receives its name of temperate. But the objection that the Arctic Circles do not remain the same for every latitude, but shift their places, is excellent.
αὐτὸς δὲ διαιρῶν εἰς τὰς ζώνας πέντε μέν φησιν εἶναι χρησίμους πρὸς τὰ οὐράνια, τούτων δὲ περισκίους δύο τὰς ὑπὸ τοῖς πόλοις μέχρι τῶν ἐχόντων τοὺς τροπικοὺς ἀρκτικούς, ἑτεροσκίους δὲ τὰς ἐφεξῆς ταύταις δύο μέχρι τῶν ὑπὸ τοῖς τροπικοῖς οἰκούντων, ἀμφίσκιον δὲ τὴν μεταξὺ τῶν τροπικῶν· πρὸς δὲ τὰ ἀνθρώπεια ταύτας τε καὶ δύο ἄλλας στενὰς τὰς ὑπὸ τοῖς τροπικοῖς, καθʼ ἃς ἥμισύ πως μηνὸς κατὰ κορυφήν ἐστιν ὁ ἥλιος, δίχα διαιρουμένας ὑπὸ τῶν τροπικῶν. ἔχειν γάρ τι ἴδιον τὰς ζώνας ταύτας, αὐχμηράς τε ἰδίως καὶ ἀμμώδεις ὑπαρχούσας καὶ ἀφόρους πλὴν σιλφίου καὶ πυρωδῶν τινων καρπῶν συγκεκαυμένων· ὄρη γὰρ μὴ εἶναι πλησίον ὥστε τὰ νέφη προσπίπτοντα ὄμβρους ποιεῖν, μηδὲ δὴ ποταμοῖς διαρρεῖσθαι· διόπερ οὐλότριχας καὶ οὐλόκερως καὶ προχείλους καὶ πλατύρρινας γεννᾶσθαι· τὰ γὰρ ἄκρα αὐτῶν συστρέφεσθαι· καὶ τοὺς ἰχθυοφάγους δὲ κατὰ ταύτας τὰς ζώνας οἰκεῖν. ὅτι δὲ ταῦτʼ ἴδια τῶν ζωνῶν τούτων, δηλοῦν φησὶ τὸ τοὺς νοτιωτέρους αὐτῶν ἔχειν τὸ περιέχον εὐκρατότερον καὶ τὴν γῆν καρπιμωτέραν καὶ εὐυδροτέραν.
Posidonius, who himself divides the earth into zones, tells us that five is the number best suited for the explanation of the celestial appearances, two of these are periscii, which reach from the poles to the point where the tropics serve for Arctic Circles; two more are heteroscii, which extend from the former to the inhabitants of the tropics, and one between the tropics, which is called amrphiscius, but for matters relative to the earth, it is convenient to suppose two other narrow zones placed under the tropics, and divided by then into two halves, over which [every year] for the space of a fortnight, the sun is vertical. These zones are remarkable for being extremely arid and sandy, producing no vegetation with the exception of silphium, and a parched grain somewhat resembling wheat. This is caused by there being no mountains to attract the clouds and produce rain, nor any rivers flowing through the country. The consequence is that the various species are born with woolly hair, crumpled horns, protruding lips, and wide nostrils; their extremities being as, it were gnarled. Within these zones also dwell the Ichthyophagi. He further remarks, that these peculiarities are quite sufficient to distinguish the zones in question: those which are farther south having a more salubrious atmosphere, and being more fruitful and better supplied with water.
πολύβιος δὲ ποιεῖ ζώνας ἕξ, δύο μὲν τὰς τοῖς ἀρκτικοῖς ὑποπιπτούσας, δύο δὲ τὰς μεταξὺ τούτων τε καὶ τῶν τροπικῶν, καὶ τοῦ ἰσημερινοῦ. ἡ μὲν οὖν εἰς πέντε διαίρεσις δοκεῖ μοι καὶ φυσικῶς ἅμα καὶ γεωγραφικῶς εἰρῆσθαι· φυσικῶς μέν, ὅτι καὶ πρὸς τὰ οὐράνια καὶ πρὸς τὴν τοῦ περιέχοντος κρᾶσιν· πρὸς μὲν τὰ οὐράνια, ὅτι τοῖς περισκίοις καὶ τοῖς ἀμφισκίοις οὕτως ἂν ἄριστα διοριζομένοις συνδιορίζεται καὶ τὰ περὶ τὴν θέαν τῶν ἄστρων, ὁλοσχερεῖ τινι μερισμῷ λαμβάνοντα τὴν ἐξάλλαξιν· πρὸς δὲ τὴν τοῦ περιέχοντος κρᾶσιν, ὅτι τῆς τούτου κράσεως πρὸς τὸν ἥλιον κρινομένης διαφοραὶ τρεῖς εἰσιν αἱ γενικώταται καὶ συντείνουσαι πρός τε τὰς τῶν ζῴων καὶ φυτῶν συστάσεις καὶ τῶν ἄλλων * ἡμισυσταλεῖς τῶν ὑπὸ τῷ ἀέρι καὶ ἐν αὐτῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὑπερβολὴ θάλπους καὶ ἔλλειψις καὶ μεσότης. αὕτη δὲ τῷ εἰς τὰς ζώνας μερισμῷ λαμβάνει τὴν οἰκείαν διάκρισιν· αἵ τε γὰρ κατεψυγμέναι δύο τὴν ἔλλειψιν τοῦ θάλπους ὑπαγορεύουσιν εἰς μίαν τοῦ περιέχοντος φύσιν συναγόμεναι, αἵ τε εὔκρατοι παραπλησίως εἰς μίαν τὴν μεσότητα ἄγονται, εἰς δὲ τὴν λοιπὴν ἡ λοιπὴ μία καὶ διακεκαυμένη. ὅτι δὲ καὶ γεωγραφικός ἐστιν ὁ μερισμός, δῆλον· ζητεῖ γὰρ ἡ γεωγραφία τῆς ἑτέρας τῶν εὐκράτων ἀφορίσαι τὸ οἰκούμενον ὑφʼ ἡμῶν τμῆμα· πρὸς δύσει μὲν οὖν καὶ ἀνατολῇ θάλαττά ἐστιν ἡ περατοῦσα, πρὸς δὲ τὰ νότια καὶ τὰ βόρεια ὁ ἀήρ, ὁ μὲν μέσος εὔκρατος ὢν καὶ φυτοῖς καὶ ζῴοις, ὁ δʼ ἐφʼ ἑκάτερα δύσκρατος ὑπερβολῇ καὶ ἐλλείψει τοῦ θάλπους. εἰς δὲ τὰς τρεῖς διαφορὰς ταύτας ἐδέησε τῆς εἰς πέντε ζώνας διαιρέσεως· τῷ γὰρ ἰσημερινῷ τμηθεῖσα δίχα ἡ σφαῖρα τῆς γῆς εἴς τε τὸ βόρειον ἡμισφαίριον, ἐν ᾧ ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν, καὶ τὸ νότιον ὑπέγραψε τὰς τρεῖς διαφοράς· τὰ μὲν γὰρ πρὸς τῷ ἰσημερινῷ καὶ τῇ διακεκαυμένῃ ζώνῃ διὰ καῦμα ἀοίκητά ἐστι, τὰ δὲ πρὸς τῷ πόλῳ διὰ ψῦχος, τὰ δὲ μέσα τὰ εὔκρατα καὶ τὰ οἰκήσιμα. ὁ δὲ τὰς ὑπὸ τοῖς τροπικοῖς προστιθεὶς οὐκ ἀνὰ λόγον ταῖς πέντε ταύτας προστίθησιν οὐδʼ ὁμοίᾳ κεχρημένας διαφορᾷ, ἀλλʼ ὡς ἂν εἰ καὶ ταῖς ἐθνικαῖς διαφοραῖς ἀπέφαινε ζώνας, ἄλλην μὲν τὴν Αἰθιοπικήν, ἄλλην δὲ τὴν Σκυθικὴν καὶ Κελτικήν, τρίτην δὲ τὴν ἀνὰ μέσον.
POLYBIUS supposes six zones: two situated between the poles and the arctic circles; two between the arctic circles and the tropics; and two between the tropics which are divided by the equator. However, it appears to me that the division into five zones accords best both with the order of external nature and geography. With external nature, as respects the celestial phenomena, and the temperature of the atmosphere. With respect to the celestial phenomena, as the Periscii and Amphiscii are thereby divided in the best possible manner, and it also forms an excellent line of separation in regard to those who behold the stars from an opposite point of view. With respect to the temperature of the atmosphere, inasmuch as looked at in connexion with the sun, there are three main divisions, which influence in a remarkable degree both plants, animals, and every other animated thing, existing either in the air, or exposed to it, namely, excess of heat, want of heat, and a moderate supply of heat. In the division into [five] zones, each of these is correctly distinguished. The two frigid zones indicate the want of heat, being alike in the temperature of their atmosphere; the temperate zones possess a moderate heat, and the remaining, or torrid zone, is remarkable for its excess of heat.
The propriety of this division in regard to geography is equally apparent; the object of this science being to determine the limits of that one of the temperate zones which we inhabit. To the east and west, it is true, the boundaries are formed by the sea, but to the north and south they are indicated by the atmosphere; which in the middle is of a grateful temperature both to animals and plants, but on either side is rendered intemperate either through excess or defect of heat. To manifest this threefold difference, the division of tile globe into five zones becomes necessary. In fact, the division of the globe, by means of the equator, into two hemispheres, the one northern, wherein we dwell, and the other southern, points to this threefold division, for the regions next the equator and torrid zone are uninhabitable on account of the heat, those next the poles on account of the cold, but those in the middle are mild, and fitted for the habitation of man.
Posidonius, in placing two zones under the tropics, pays no regard to the reasons which influenced the division into five zones, nor is his division equally appropriate. It is no more than if he were to form his division into zones merely according to the [countries inhabited] by different nations, calling one the Ethiopian, another the Scythian and Keltic, and a third the Intermediate zone.
̔ο δὲ Πολύβιος τοῦτο μὲν οὐκ εὖ τὸ ποιεῖν τινας ζώνας τοῖς ἀρκτικοῖς διοριζομένας, δύο μὲν τὰς ὑποπιπτούσας αὐτοῖς δύο δὲ τὰς μεταξὺ τούτων καὶ τῶν τροπικῶν· εἴρηται γὰρ ὅτι τοῖς μεταπίπτουσι σημείοις οὐχ ὁριστέον τὰ ἀμετάπτωτα. οὐδὲ τοῖς τροπικοῖς δὲ τῆς διακεκαυμένης ὅροις χρηστέον· καὶ τοῦτʼ εἴρηται. τὴν διακεκαυμένην μέντοι δίχα διαιρῶν πρὸς οὐ φαύλην ἐπίνοιαν φαίνεται κεκινημένος, πρὸς ἣν καὶ ὅλην δίχα διαιροῦμεν εὐφυῶς τὴν γῆν εἴς τε τὸ βόρειον ἡμισφαίριον καὶ τὸ νότιον τῷ ἰσημερινῷ· δῆλον γὰρ ὅτι διαιρεῖται κατὰ ταύτην τὴν τομὴν καὶ ἡ διακεκαυμένη, ποιεῖ τινα ἐπιτηδειότητα, ὥστε καὶ τὸ ἡμισφαίριον ἑκάτερον ἐξ ὅλων συντετάχθαι τριῶν ζωνῶν ὁμοιοειδῶν τῶν ἐν θατέρῳ. ἡ μὲν οὖν τοιαύτη τομὴ δέχεται τὴν εἰς ἓξ ζώνας διαίρεσιν, ἡ δʼ ἑτέρα οὐ πάνυ. εἰ γοῦν τῷ διὰ τῶν πόλων δίχα τέμνοις τὴν γῆν, οὐκ ἂν εἰκότως ἑκάτερον τῶν ἡμισφαιρίων, τό τε ἑσπέριον καὶ τὸ ἀνατολικόν, τέμνοις εἰς ζώνας ἕξ, ἀλλὰ ἡ εἰς πέντε ἀρκοῦσα ἂν εἴη· τὸ γὰρ ὁμοιοπαθὲς τῶν τμημάτων ἀμφοτέρων τῆς διακεκαυμένης, ἃ ποιεῖ ὁ ἰσημερινός, καὶ τὸ συγκεῖσθαι περιττὴν καὶ περίεργον ἀποφαίνει τὴν τομήν, ὁμοιοειδῶν μὲν οὐσῶν καὶ τῶν εὐκράτων καὶ τῶν κατεψυγμένων, ἀλλʼ οὐ συγκειμένων· οὕτως οὖν καὶ τὴν ὅλην γῆν ἐκ τῶν τοιούτων ἡμισφαιρίων ἐπινοουμένην ἀρκούντως ἂν εἰς πέντε διαιροίης. εἰ δʼ, ὥσπερ Ἐρατοσθένης φησίν, ἡ ὑποπίπτουσα τῷ ἰσημερινῷ ἐστὶν εὔκρατος, καθάπερ καὶ Πολύβιος ὁμοδοξεῖ (προστίθησι δʼ οὗτος καὶ διότι ὑψηλοτάτη ἐστί· διόπερ καὶ κατομβρεῖται, τῶν βορείων νεφῶν κατὰ τοὺς ἐτησίας ἐκεῖ τοῖς ἀναστήμασι προσπιπτόντων πλείστων), πολὺ κρεῖττον τρίτην εὔκρατον ταύτην ποιεῖν στενήν τινα, ἢ τὰς ὑπὸ τοῖς τροπικοῖς εἰσάγειν. συνηγορεῖ δὲ τούτοις καὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα, ὧν μέμνηται καὶ Ποσειδώνιος, τὸ ἐκεῖ τὰς μεταστάσεις ὀξυτέρας εἶναι τὰς εἰς τὰ πλάγια, ὡς δʼ αὕτως καὶ τὰς ἀπʼ ἀνατολῆς ἐπὶ δύσιν τοῦ ἡλίου· ὀξύτεραι γὰρ αἱ κατὰ μεγίστου κύκλου τῶν ὁμοταχῶν κινήσεων.
Polybius, indeed, is wrong in bounding certain of his zones by the arctic circles, namely, the two which lie under them, and the two between these and the tropics. The impropriety of using shifting points to mark the limits of those which are fixed has been remarked before; and we have likewise objected to the plan of making the tropics the boundary of the torrid zone. However, in dividing the torrid zone into two parts [Polybius] seems to have been influenced by no inconsiderable reason, the same which led us to regard the whole earth as properly divided by the equator into two hemispheres, north and south. We at once see that by means of this division the torrid zone is divided into two parts, thus establishing a kind of uniformity; each hemisphere consisting of three entire zones, respectively similar to each other. Thus this partition will admit of a division into six zones, but the other does not allow of it at all. Supposing you cut the earth into two portions by a line drawn through the poles, you can find no sufficient cause for dividing the eastern and western hemispheres into six zones; on the other hand, five would be preferable. For since both the portions of the torrid zone, divided by the equator, are similar and contiguous to each other, it would seem out of place and superfluous to separate them; whereas the temperate and frigid zones respectively resemble each other, although lying apart. Wherefore, supposing the whole earth to consist of these two hemispheres, it is sufficient to divide them into five zones. If there be a temperate region under the equator, as Eratosthenes asserts, and is admitted by Polybius, (who adds, that it is the most elevated part of the earth, and consequently subject to the drenching rains occasioned by the monsoons bringing up from the north innumerable clouds, which discharge themselves on the highest lands,) it would be better to suppose this a third narrow temperate zone, than to extend the two temperate zones within the circles of the tropics. This supposition is supported by the statements of Posidonius, that the course of the sun, whether in the ecliptic, or from east to west, appears most rapid in tie region [of which we are speaking], because the rotations of that luminary are performed with a speed increased in proportion to the greater size of the circle.
Ἐνίσταται δʼ ὁ Ποσειδώνιος τῷ Πολυβίῳ, διότι φησὶ τὴν ὑπὸ τῷ ἰσημερινῷ οἴκησιν ὑψηλοτάτην· οὐδὲν γὰρ εἶναι κατὰ τὴν σφαιρικὴν ἐπιφάνειαν ὕψος διὰ τὴν ὁμαλότητα, οὐδὲ δὴ ὀρεινὴν εἶναι τὴν ὑπὸ τῷ ἰσημερινῷ, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον πεδιάδα ἰσόπεδόν πως τῇ ἐπιφανείᾳ τῆς θαλάττης· τοὺς δὲ πληροῦντας τὸν Νεῖλον ὄμβρους ἐκ τῶν Αἰθιοπικῶν ὀρῶν συμβαίνειν. ταῦτα δʼ εἰπὼν ἐνταῦθα ἐν ἄλλοις συγχωρεῖ, φήσας ὑπονοεῖν ὄρη εἶναι τὰ ὑπὸ τῷ ἰσημερινῷ, πρὸς ἃ ἑκατέρωθεν ἀπὸ τῶν εὐκράτων ἀμφοῖν προσπίπτοντα τὰ νέφη ποιεῖν τοὺς ὄμβρους. αὕτη μὲν οὖν ἡ ἀνομολογία φανερά· ἀλλὰ καὶ δοθέντος τοῦ ὀρεινὴν εἶναι τὴν ὑπὸ τῷ ἰσημερινῷ, ἄλλη τις ἀνακύπτειν ἂν δόξειεν· οἱ γὰρ αὐτοὶ σύρρουν φασὶν εἶναι τὸν ὠκεανόν. πῶς οὖν ὄρη κατὰ μέσον ἱδρύουσιν αὐτόν; πλὴν εἰ νήσους τινὰς βούλονται λέγειν. ὅπως δὲ ποτε τοῦτʼ ἔχει, τῆς γεωγραφικῆς μερίδος ἔξω πίπτει· δοτέον δʼ ἴσως τῷ προθεμένῳ τὴν περὶ ὠκεανοῦ πραγματείαν ταῦτʼ ἐξετάζειν.
Posidonius blames Polybius for asserting that the region of the earth, situated under the equator, is the highest, since a spherical body being equal all round, no part can be described as high; and as to mountainous districts, there are none under the equator, it is on the contrary a flat country, about the same level as the sea; as for the rains which swell the Nile, they descend from the mountains of Ethiopia. Although advancing this, he afterwards seems to adopt the other opinion, for he says that he fancies there may be mountains under the equator, around which the clouds assembling from both of the temperate zones, produce violent rains. Here is one manifest contradiction; again, in stating that the land under the equator is mountainous, another contradiction appears. For they say that the ocean is confluent, how then can they place mountains in the midst of it? unless they mean to say that there are islands. However, whether such be the fact does not lie within the province of geography to determine, the inquiry would better be left to him who makes the ocean in particular his study.
Cite This Text