numerous quadrangular buildings which are scattered in all directions
over the Syrtis, in passing from Sooleb to Bengazi. These
structures may be said to commence at Mahad Hassan; but they
assume at Zaffran the appearance of regular forts, and may there
be considered as the commencement of a chain of fortified posts
extending itself through the whole of the Syrtis*. They usually
occupy the higher grounds, although some of them are situated in
the plains, and are generally so placed as to have been originally
seen from each other. Indeed no opportunity appears to have been
neglected by the ancients of securing the advantages of pasturage
and water which occur in the regions of the Syrtis; wherever these
exist we find fortresses erected, or regular stations established, which
would materially contribute to facilitate the march of troops and to
prevent at the same time the predatory incursions of the Arabs and
the establishment of their tribes in these desirable positions.
I f it be considered necessary to fix the sight of the nm( Aimt at
the first place where remains of ancient building are found, after the
lake which is laid down by Strabo, we must place it at Mahad
Hassan; but if it must be identified with the port mentioned with
it, which does not seem, indeed, to be necessary, we are then obliged
to fix it at the first place where a port is to be met with, after the
termination of the marsh, and this will bring us to Mersa Zaffranf.
* Buildings of the same nature are also found in the Cyrenaica.
+ Aspis is laid down in Ptolemy on the western side of the gulf, at about sixty miles
within the promontory of Triaeorium; but this distance would only bring us within nine
miles of Jaireed, and we have already stated that Mahad Hassan is the first place in the
The little port of this name is the first which occurs in passing
eastward from the Cephalas Promontorium, and the remains of
building which are found there, on the beach, will authorize the
conclusion that it has been used as such by the ancients*.
Its present appearance will however by no means entitle it to the
distinction of *axx«rro?, (bestowed by Strabo upon Aspis, or the port
which succeeds it) ; for the Gulf of Syrtis, though ill supplied with
conveniences of this nature, has certainly ports of more consideration
than Mersa Zaffran.
We must at the same time recollect that the space required for the
vessels of the ancients was much less than would be necessary for
those of the present day, and the depth of water required for them
comparatively inconsiderable. The port at Zaffran is also much
less than formerly, and, like that at Lebida, nearly filled up with
sand; so that although it cannot now be considered as a good one
(nor, indeed, in the present acceptation of the term, as any port at
all) it may certainly have afforded very good -shelter and accommodation
for vessels such as those of the ancientsf. The remains on
Syrtia (travelling eastward) which can be considered as an ancient site. Strabo’s lake
finishes a t Sooleb, but there are no remains of building in the neighbourhood of that
place, nor between it and Mahad Hassan.
* The naval station above mentioned, a t the junction of Strabo’s lake with the sea, is
not styled ¡aw, but utyoQpos ; and we may conclude from this circumstance th a t it was
formed by art, and not by any of those peculiarities o f coast which usually constitute a fort.
f I t is formed by a rocky projection, which appeared to have been partly natural
and partly artificial; and though its inconsiderable size would not allow vessels in it to ;
ride clear of the surf in a gale of wind, yet in moderate weather there would be quite
sufficient shelter for them to load and unload; and in the event of a gale they might
easily have been hauled up on the beach.—See the plan of Mersa Zaffran annexed. ,
T 2