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not in the world any other sea so wonderful： it extends in length eleven thousand one hundred furlongs； and its breadth； at the widest part； is three thousand three hundred。 The mouth is but four furlongs wide； and this strait； called the Bosphorus； and across which the bridge of Darius had been thrown； is a hundred and twenty furlongs in length； reaching from the Euxine to the Propontis。 The Propontis is five hundred furlongs across； and fourteen hundred long。 Its waters flow into the Hellespont； the length of which is four hundred furlongs； and the width no more than seven。 The Hellespont opens into the wide sea called the Egean。 The mode in which these distances have been measured is the following。 In a long day a vessel generally accomplishes about seventy thousand fathoms； in the night sixty thousand。 Now from the mouth of the Pontus to the river Phasis； which is the extreme length of this sea； is a voyage of nine days and eight nights； which makes the distance one million one hundred and ten thousand fathoms； or eleven thousand one hundred furlongs。 Again； from Sindica； to Themiscyra on the river Thermodon； where the Pontus is wider than at any other place； is a sail of three days and two nights； which makes three hundred and thirty thousand fathoms； or three thousand three hundred furlongs。 Such is the plan on which I have measured the Pontus； the Bosphorus； and the Hellespont； and such is the account which I have to give of them。 The Pontus has also a lake belonging to it； not very much inferior to itself in size。 The waters of this lake run into the Pontus： it is called the Maeotis； and also the Mother of the Pontus。 Darius； after he had finished his survey； sailed back to the bridge； which had been constructed for him by Mandrocles a Samian。 He likewise surveyed the Bosphorus； and erected upon its shores two pillars of white marble； whereupon he inscribed the names of all the nations which formed his army… on the one pillar in Greek； on the other in Assyrian characters。 Now his army was drawn from all the nations under his sway； and the whole amount； without reckoning the naval forces； was seven hundred thousand men； including cavalry。 The fleet consisted of six hundred ships。 Some time afterwards the Byzantines removed these pillars to their own city； and used them for an altar which they erected to Orthosian Diana。 One block remained behind： it lay near the temple of Bacchus at Byzantium； and was covered with Assyrian writing。 The spot where Darius bridged the Bosphorus was； I think； but I speak only from conjecture； half…way between the city of Byzantium and the temple at the mouth of the strait。 Darius was so pleased with the bridge thrown across the strait by the Samain Mandrocles； that he not only bestowed upon him all the customary presents； but gave him ten of every kind。 Mandrocles； by the way of offering first…fruits from these presents； caused a picture to be painted which showed the whole of the bridge； with King Darius sitting in a seat of honour； and his army engaged in the passage。 This painting he dedicated in the temple of Juno at Samos； attaching to it the inscription following：…
The fish…fraught Bosphorus bridged； to Juno's fane Did Mandrocles this proud memorial bring； When for himself a crown he'd skill to gain； For Samos praise； contenting the Great King。
Such was the memorial of his work which was left by the architect of the bridge。 Darius； after rewarding Mandrocles； passed into Europe； while he ordered the Ionians to enter the Pontus； and sail to the mouth of the Ister。 There he bade them throw a bridge across the stream and await his coming。 The Ionians； Aeolians； and Hellespontians were the nations which furnished the chief strength of his navy。 So the fleet； threading the Cyanean Isles； proceeded straight to the Ister； and； mounting the river to the point where its channels separate； a distance of two days' voyage from the sea； yoked the neck of the stream。 Meantime Darius； who had crossed the Bosphorus by the bridge over it； marched through Thrace； and happening upon the sources of the Tearus； pitched his camp and made a stay of three days。 Now the Tearus is said by those who dwell near it； to be the most healthful of all streams； and to cure； among other diseases； the scab either in man or beast。 Its sources； which are eight and thirty in number； all flowing from the same rock； are in part cold； in part hot。 They lie at an equal distance from the town of Heraeum near Perinthus； and Apollonia on the Euxine； a two days' journey from each。 This river； the Tearus； is a tributary of the Contadesdus； which runs into the Agrianes； and that into the Hebrus。 The Hebrus empties itself into the sea near the city of Aenus。 Here then； on the banks of the Tearus； Darius stopped and pitched his camp。 The river charmed him so； that he caused a pillar to be erected in this place also； with an inscription to the following effect： 〃The fountains of the Tearus afford the best and most beautiful water of all rivers： they were visited； on his march into Scythia； by the best and most beautiful of men； Darius； son of Hystaspes； king of the Persians； and of the whole continent。〃 Such was the inscription which he set up at this place。 Marching thence； he came to a second river； called the Artiscus； which flows through the country of the Odrysians。 Here he fixed upon a certain spot； where every one of his soldiers should throw a stone as he passed by。 When his orders were obeyed； Darius continued his march； leaving behind him great hills formed of the stones cast by his troops。 Before arriving at the Ister； the first people whom he subdued were the Getae； who believe in their immortality。 The Thracians of Salmydessus； and those who dwelt above the cities of Apollonia and Mesembria… the Scyrmiadae and Nipsaeans； as they are called… gave themselves up to Darius without a struggle； but the Getae obstinately defending themselves； were forthwith enslaved； notwithstanding that they are the noblest as well as the most just of all the Thracian tribes。 The belief of the Getae in respect of immortality is the following。 They think that they do not really die； but that when they depart this life they go to Zalmoxis； who is called also Gebeleizis by some among them。 To this god every five years they send a messenger； who is chosen by lot out of the whole nation； and charged to bear him their several requests。 Their mode of sending him is this。 A number of them stand in order； each holding in his hand three darts； others take the man who is to be sent to Zalmoxis； and swinging him by his hands and feet； toss him into the air so that he falls upon the points of the weapons。 If he is pierced and dies； they think that the god is propitious to them； but if not； they lay the fault on the messenger； who （they say） is a wicked man： and so they choose another to send away。 The messages are given while the man is still alive。 This same people； when it lightens and thunders； aim their arrows at the sky； uttering threats against the god； and they do not believe that there is any god but their own。 I am told by the Greeks who dwell on the shores of the Hellespont and the Pont