216 STRABO. CASATJB. 491. reckoning from the continent opposite to Rhodes to the eastern extremities of India and Scythia. 4. It is divided into many parts, which are circumscribed by boundaries of greater or less extent, and distinguished by various names. But as such an extended range of mountains must comprise nations some of which are little known, and others with whom we are well acquainted, as Parthians, 1 Medes, Arme- nians, some of the Cappadocians, Cilicians, and Pisidians ; those which approach near the northern parts must be as- signed to the north, (northern Asia,) those approximating the southern parts, to the south, (southern Asia,) and those situated in the middle of the mountains must be placed on account of the similarity of the temperature of the air, for it is cold to the north, while the air of the south is warm, The currents of almost all the rivers which flow from the Taurus are in a direction contrary to each other, some run- ning to the north, others to the south, at least at the com- mencement of their course, although afterwards some bend towards the east or west. They naturally suggest the adop- tion of this chain of mountains as a boundary in the division of Asia into two portions ; in the same manner that the sea within the Pillars, which for the most part runs in the same line with these mountains, conveniently forms two conti- nents, Europe and Africa, and is a remarkable boundary to both. 5. In passing in our geographical description from Europe to Asia, the first parts of the country which present them- selves are those in the northern division, and we shall there- fore begin with these. Of these parts the first are those about the Tanai's, (or Don,) which we have assumed as the boundary of Europe and Asia. These have a kind of peninsular form, for they are surrounded on the west by the river Tanai's (or Don) and the Palus Maeotis 2 as far as the Cimmerian Bosporus, 3 and that part of the coast of the Euxine which terminates at Colchis ; on the north by the Ocean, as far as the mouth of the Caspian Sea ; on the east by the same sea, as far as the 1 Strabo calls the Parthians, Parthyaei ; and Parthia, Parthyeea. 2 The Sea of Azoff. 3 The' Straits of Kertch or Zabache.
