Letter of Aristeas

1917 printed page 46 / §§108–112

Printed page 46 Original marginal section labels beginning on this page: §108, §109, §110, §111, §112. The opening continues §107 from the preceding page. also thereby obtain a plentiful supply of crops. In this way cultivation of every sort is carried on and an abundant harvest reaped throughout the whole of the aforesaid land. On the other hand, it has been the fate of all large and consequently prosperous cities to be thickly populated themselves, while they neglect the country, as the thoughts of every one are bent on enjoyment, and all men have a natural propensity to pleasure. And this is what happened to Alexandria, a city which surpasses all others in size and prosperity. The country folk by migrating to the town and making a long stay there brought agriculture to a low ebb. And so the king, to prevent them from making a stay, ordered that their visits should not exceed twenty days; and he likewise gave written injunctions to the officials, that if it were necessary to summon any such persons _to town,_ they should decide their cases within five days. And as he considered the matter one of great importance, he appointed judges with their subordinates in every district,{1} that so the farmers and their agents{2} might not, while money-making _in the city,_ reduce the granaries of the city, I mean the proceeds of agriculture. _(h)_ THE COUNTRY AND ITS PRODUCE: HARBOURS, RIVERS, MOUNTAIN-RANGES We have been led into this digression by Eleazar's admirable exposition to us of the principles just mentioned. Their industry in agriculture is indeed great. For their country is thickly planted with olive trees and is rich in cereal produce and pulse, in vines also and honey in abundance ; fruit trees of other kinds and palms are beyond reckoning with them. There are cattle in TRANSLATOR’S NOTES (1917) — printed page 46 {1} The Egyptian "nome." {2} Meaning doubtful.