Geography

​And the Atlantic Ocean, falling into the space between this coast, into which both the Baetis and the Anas empty, and the extremities of Maurusia, makes the strait at the Pillars, through which the inner sea joins the outer. Here indeed is Calpe, a mountain of the Iberians called Bastetanians, whom they also call Bastulians; it is not large in circumference, but high and steep, so that from a distance it appears like an island. Therefore, to those sailing out from our sea into the outer one, this is on the right, and near it, at a distance of forty stadia, is the notable and ancient city of Carteia, which was once a station for the ships of the Iberians. And some say that it was a foundation of Heracles, among whom is also Timosthenes, who says that it was called Heracleia in ancient times, and that a great circuit wall and ship-sheds are pointed out.

​Next is Mellaria, which has establishments for salting fish, and after this the city and river of Belon. From here are the passages made especially to Tingis in Maurusia, and there are trading-places and salting-establishments. And Zelis was also a neighbor of Tingis, but the Romans resettled this city to the opposite coast, taking some people also from Tingis; and they also sent colonists from among themselves, and named the city Iulia Ioza. Next is Gadeira, an island separated from Turdetania by a narrow strait, distant from Calpe about seven hundred and fifty stadia; though some say eight hundred. This island, while in other respects differing in no way from the others, yet by the bravery of its inhabitants in matters of navigation, and by their friendship toward the Romans, has made such progress toward all prosperity that, although situated at the extremity of the earth, it is the most famous of them all. But we shall speak about this when we also speak about the other islands.

​Next is the harbor called the Harbor of Menestheus, and the estuary near Asta and Nabrissa. Now those hollows are called estuaries (anachyseis) which are filled by the sea at high tides, and which, like rivers, have a passage up into the interior and the cities situated upon them. Then immediately come the mouths of the Baetis, which is divided into two channels; and the island enclosed by these mouths delimits a coast of one hundred stadia, or as some say, even more. And somewhere here is also the oracle of Menestheus, and the tower of Caepio is situated upon a rock washed on all sides by the waves, marvelously constructed, like the Pharos, for the sake of the safety of those at sea. For the silt carried out by the river makes shallows, and the place in front of it is reefy, so that there is need of some conspicuous sign. From here is the voyage up the Baetis, and the city of Ebura, and the temple of Phosphorus, whom they call Lux Dubia; then the voyages up the other estuaries, and after these the Anas river, this too having two mouths, and the voyage up from them; and finally the Sacred Promontory, distant from Gadeira less than two thousand stadia; though some say that from the Sacred Promontory to the mouth of the Anas is sixty miles, and from there to the mouth of the Baetis one hundred, and then to Gadeira seventy.