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where the Nile came over and watered； and that those were Egyptians who
dwelling below the city of Elephantine drank of that river。 Thus was it
answered to them by the Oracle about this： and the Nile； when it is in
flood； goes over not only the Delta but also of the land which is called
Libyan and of that which is called Arabian sometimes as much as two
days' journey on each side； and at times even more than this or at times
less。
As regards the nature of the river； neither from the priests nor yet from
any other man was I able to obtain any knowledge： and I was desirous
especially to learn from them about these matters； namely why the Nile
comes down increasing in volume from the summer solstice onwards for a
hundred days； and then； when it has reached the number of these days；
turns and goes back； failing in its stream； so that through the whole winter
season it continues to be low； and until the summer solstice returns。 Of
none of these things was I able to receive any account from the Egyptians；
when I inquired of them what power the Nile has whereby it is of a nature
opposite to that of all other rivers。 And I made inquiry； desiring to know
both this which I say and also why； unlike all other rivers； it does not give
rise to any breezes blowing from it。 However some of the Hellenes who
desired to gain distinction for cleverness have given an account of this
water in three different ways： two of these I do not think it worth while
even to speak of except only to indicate their nature； of which the one says
that the Etesian Winds are the cause that makes the river rise； by
preventing the Nile from flowing out into the sea。 But often the Etesian
Winds fail and yet the Nile does the same work as it is wont to do； and
moreover； if these were the cause； all the other rivers also which flow in a
direction opposed to the Etesian Winds ought to have been affected in the
same way as the Nile； and even more； in as much as they are smaller and
present to them a feebler flow of streams： but there are many of these
rivers in Syria and many also in Libya； and they are affected in no such
manner as the Nile。 The second way shows more ignorance than that
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which has been mentioned； and it is more marvellous to tell； for it says
that the river produces these effects because it flows from the Ocean； and
that the Ocean flows round the whole earth。 The third of the ways is much
the most specious； but nevertheless it is the most mistaken of all： for
indeed this way has no more truth in it than the rest； alleging as it does that
the Nile flows from melting snow； whereas it flows out of Libya through
the midst of the Ethiopians； and so comes out into Egypt。 How then should
it flow from snow； when it flows from the hottest parts to those which are
cooler？ And indeed most of the facts are such as to convince a man （one at
least who is capable of reasoning about such matters）； that it is not at all
likely that it flows from snow。 The first and greatest evidence is afforded
by the winds； which blow hot from these regions； the second is that the
land is rainless always and without frost； whereas after snow has fallen
rain must necessarily come within five days； so that if it snowed in those
parts rain would fall there； the third evidence is afforded by the people
dwelling there； who are of a black colour by reason of the burning heat。
Moreover kites and swallows remain there through the year and do not
leave the land； and cranes flying from the cold weather which comes on in
the region of Scythia come regularly to these parts for wintering： if then it
snowed ever so little in that land through which the Nile flows and in
which it has its rise； none of these things would take place； as necessity
compels us to admit。 As for him who talked about the Ocean； he carried
his tale into the region of the unknown； and so he need not be refuted；
since I for my part know of no river Ocean existing； but I think that Homer
or one of the poets who were before him invented the name and
introduced it into his verse。
If however after I have found fault with the opinions proposed； I am
bound to declare an opinion of my own about the matters which are in
doubt； I will tell what to my mind is the reason why the Nile increases in
the summer。 In the winter season the Sun； being driven away from his
former path through the heaven by the stormy winds； comes to the upper
parts of Libya。 If one would set forth the matter in the shortest way； all has
now been said； for whatever region this god approaches most and stands
directly above； this it may reasonably be supposed is most in want of
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water； and its native streams of rivers are dried up most。 However； to set it
forth at greater length； thus it is：the Sun passing in his course by the
upper parts of Libya； does thus； that is to say； since at all times the air in
those parts is clear and the country is warm； because there are no cold
winds； in passing through it the Sun does just as he was wont to do in the
summer； when going through the midst of the heaven； that is he draws to
himself the water； and having drawn it he drives it away to the upper parts
of the country； and the winds take it up and scattering it abroad melt it into
rain； so it is natural that the winds which blow from this region； namely
the South and South…west Winds； should be much the most rainy of all the
winds。 I think however that the Sun does not send away from himself all
the water of the Nile of each year； but that also he lets some remain behind
with himself。 Then when the winter becomes milder； the Sun returns back
again to the midst of the heaven； and from that time onwards he draws
equally from all rivers； but in the meantime they flow in large volume；
since water of rain mingles with them in great quantity； because their
country receives rain then and is filled with torrent streams。 In summer
however they are weak； since not only the showers of rain fail t