Page 576 of Asia, and the Nature and Extent of the Provinces: For by this means laying before the Eyes of the Readers a Map of the Countries, and the Distances of Places one from another, the Relation will be more Plain and Easie.
From Taurus therefore in Cilicia, to Caucasus and the Eastern Ocean, a ridge of Mountains stretch forth in a straight and continued Line throughout all Asia: As distinguished by several Peaks and Risings of the Hills from them; Mount Taurus has gain'd particular Names. By this means, Asia being divided into two parts, one rises towards the North, the other descends towards the South; and according to these several Climates the Rivers run contrary ways; some take their Course into the Caspian Sea, others into the Euxine, and some into the Northern Ocean. These Rivers lying thus opposite one to another, part empty themselves into the Indian Sea, and another Part into the Ocean adjoyning to this Continent; some likewise fall into the Red Sea. In this manner likewise are the Provinces divided. For some lye towards the North, and others bend to the South. The first towards the North borders upon the River Tanais, that is to say, Sogdiana with Bactria, and next to them Area and Parthea. This Province surrounds the Hyrcanian Sea, which lies within its Limits and Bounds. The next is Media, call'd by many Names from the Places included in it, and is the greatest of all the Provinces. Then follows Armenia, Lycaonia, and Cappadocia, all of a very sharp and cold Air. Bordering upon these in a direct Line are Phrygia, both the Greater, and that lying to the Hellespont: In an oblique Line lie Lydia and Caria. Pisidia stretches sorth it self in length; and in a Parrallel Line equal with Phrygia on the right Hand; and to the side of Pisidia lies Lycia. The Greek Cities are situated upon the Sea Coasts of these Provinces; whose Names it is not necessary for our purpose here to recite.
Thus situated (as we have related) are the Northern Provinces. As to the Southern, the first is India, under Mount Caucosus, a very large and populous Kingdom; for it's inhabited by many Indian Nations; the greatest of which is that of the Gandarides, against whom Alexander made no attempt by reason of the Multitude of their Elephants. This Territory is divided from the further India, by the greatest River in those parts, being thirty Furlongs broad. The rest of India (conquer'd by Alexander) a rich and fruitful Country, and watered with many Rivers, borders upon this of the Gandarides: Within this Part, besides many other Kingdoms, were the Dominions of Porus and Taxilis. The River Indus (from which the Country takes its Name) runs through it. Separated from the Province of India next to it was Arachosia, Gedrosia, and Carmania, and with these was join'd Persia, wherein are situated the Provinces of Susiana and Sittacina. Next follows the Province of Babylon, extending it self as far as to Arabia the Desart. On the other side, where begins the Descent, you have Mesopotamia lying between two Rivers, Euphrates and Tigris, from whence it had its Name.
The higher Syria, and the Countries upon the Sea Coasts adjoyning to it, as Cilicia, Pamphilia,Syria Cava, within which is Phaenicia, lie close to the Province of Babylon. Upon the Borders of Syria Cava, and the Desart next adjoining to it, (through which runs the River Nile, and so divides between Syria and Aegypt) appears Aegypt it self, the Best and Richest of all the Provinces. All these Countries are scorching hot; for the Southern Climate is contrary in its nature to the Northern. These Provinces (conquer'd by Alexander) which we have thus describ'd, were divided amongst the Chiefest of his Commanders.
But the Grecians that inhabited the Upper Provinces, who (through fear while Alexander was alive) endur'd their being cast forth into the utmost Corner of the Kingdom; now when he was dead, being touch'd with a Desire to return into their own Country, Revolted, and to that end unanimously chose Philo, an Enean born, to be their Captain, and had got together a considerable Army of above Twenty thousand Foot, and Three thousand Horse, all old expert Soldiers, and Brave and Valiant Men.
Intelligence being brought of this Revolt, Perdiccas chose by lot out of the Macedonian Squadrons, Three thousand Foot and Eight hundred Horse. Pitho, one of the Squires of the Body to Alexander, a Man of a high Spirit, and a skiiful Commander, was chose General by the Army, and to him Perdiccas deliver'd the Soldiers chosen, as is before declar'd, and Letters likewise to the Lord-Lieutenants, whereby they were order'd to furnish him with Ten thousand Foot and Eight thousand Horse, against the Rebels. Pitho being a Man of am ambitious Spirit, was very ready to undertake this Expedition: For he purpos'd to gain by all fair means possible these revolting Greeks, and by joining their Forces to his own to set up for himself, and reduce all those upper Provinces under his own Subjection. But Perdiccas smelling out his Design, gave him express Order, That having overcome those Rebels he should put them all to the Sword, and divide the Spoil
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