8.

In the intervening space, a branch of the river Astaboras719 discharges itself. It has its source in a lake, and empties part of its waters [into the bay], but the larger portion it contributes to the Nile. Then follow six islands, called Latomiæ,720 after these the Sabaïtic mouth,721 as it is called, and in the inland parts a fortress built by Suchus.722 Then a lake called Elæa, and the island of Strato;723 next Saba724 a port, and a hunting-ground for elephants of the same name. The country deep in the interior is called Tenessis. It is occupied by those Egyptians who took refuge from the government of Psammitichus.725 They are surnamed Sembritæ,726 as being strangers. They are governed by a queen, to whom also Meroë, an island in the Nile near these places, is subject. Above this, at no great distance, is another island in the river, a settlement occupied by the same fugitives. From Meroë to this sea is a journey of fifteen days for an active person.

Near Meroë is the confluence of the Astaboras,727 the Astapus,728 and of the Astasobas with the Nile.