DISSERTATION.
FLAVIUS ARRIANUS[1], the Author of the work now under conſideration, was a native of Nicomedia, the metropolis of Bithynia, a city ſituated at the extremity of a bay of the Propontis, on the Aſiatic ſide. He was early in life remarkable for learning, which recommended him to the notice of the[2] Emperor Hadrian, and procured for him, although a ſtranger, the freedom of the Roman and [3] Athenian ſtates. He afterwards became Prieſt of Ceres and of Proſerpine in his native city, and was raiſed by his Patron, the Emperor, to the dignity of a Roman Senator, and to the Conſulate. In this character he was made [4] Præfect of Cappadocia, and waged a ſucceſsſful war with the Alani, and with the Maſſagetæ. He died probably during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, but at what exact time is not certain. He left ſeveral works behind him of conſiderable merit; and among them the one now before us. His qualifications in Literature and Science, particularly Geography, muſt have been very agreeable to the diſpoſition of the Emperor Hadrian, who was himſelf fond of travelling, and had viſited in perſon a large proportion of his own extenſve domimons.
