Book 1
194.2
They make these in Armenia (region (general)), Asia Armenia , higher up the stream than Assyria. First they cut frames of willow, then they stretch hides over these for a covering, making as it were a hold; they neither broaden the stern nor narrow the prow, but the boat is round, like a shield. They then fill it with reeds and send it floating down the river with a cargo; and it is for the most part palm wood casks of wine that they carry down.
194.3
Two men standing upright steer the boat, each with a paddle, one drawing it to him, the other thrusting it from him. These boats are of all sizes, some small, some very large; the largest of them are of as much as five thousand talentsThe Attic talent = about 58 lbs. avoirdupois; the Aeginetan = about 82. burden. There is a live ass in each boat, or more than one in the larger.
194.4
So when they have floated down to Babylon [44.4,32.55] (deserted settlement), Babil, Iraq, Asia Babylon and disposed of their cargo, they sell the framework of the boat and all the reeds; the hides are set on the backs of asses, which are then driven back to Armenia (region (general)), Asia Armenia ,
194.5
for it is not by any means possible to go upstream by water, because of the swiftness of the current; it is for this reason that they make their boats of hides and not of wood. When they have driven their asses back into Armenia (region (general)), Asia Armenia , they make more boats in the same way.
