E X P E D I T I ON
TO THE
E U P H R A T E S A N D T I GR I S .
CHAPTER I.
Nature of the Work stated.—Sources of the four greatest Rivers of Western
Asia.—The commercial importance of those Rivers.—The Kizil-Irmdk, or
Halys—Its springs, course, and affluents.— Ancient geography of the
River.—The country about the Halys.—The Aras, or Araxes—Its springs,
course, and tributaries.—Ancient name of the Araxes.—River Kur, or
Cyrus—Its springs, course, and tributaries.—River Jorak, or Acampsis.
I n the following work, it is intended, in obedience to the
commands of Her Majesty’s Government, to lay before the
public the circumstances which led to the organization of an
Expedition destined to explore the rivers Euphrates and
Tigris, as well as to relate the progress and results of the
undertaking itself; and since this novel enterprise was conducted
through the most interesting part of the ancient
world, it has been thought proper that the first volume
should contain a geographical notice of the four principal
rivers of Western Asia; together with a general account of
the countries lying between the rivers Nile and Indus.
The second volume will contain the leading historical
events connected with that part of the world. A knowledge
of these has been derived from Arabic manuscripts, as well
as from local and other sources of information ; which, if not
altogether new to our learned oriental historians, might have
long remained unknown to the public in general, except
VOL. I . b