The Greeks in Bactria and India c26.11

c26.11

I come to Varro (Pliny VI, 52). Varro says that it was found out (not 'explored') on Pompey's expedition that in seven days goods came through (or could come through) from India to the river of Bactra, which ran into the Oxus, 'and from the Oxus these goods, carried (or "if carried") across the Caspian to the Cyrus, can be brought down the Phasis to the Black Sea with a land portage not exceeding five days'. The India-Bactria time-table might come from anywhere and does not concern this Appendix, while the overland porterage between Cyrus and Phasis was a well-known thing¹ and may be left out; what remains is the statement ‘Indian goods can be brought from Bactria *via* the Oxus, Caspian, Cyrus, and Phasis to the Black Sea’. This *is* Patrocles’ report, for like that report it is put in a shape which could mean two things: (1) goods are brought, (2) goods could be brought, but are not. It would be too much of a coincidence to suppose that independent reports were made to Antiochus I and to Pompey, each of which was drawn up in language legitimately susceptible of two meanings. Pompey was never near the Caspian, and the man he commissioned to find out for him merely quoted Patrocles, adding the well-known land porterage; probably it was the only thing he could do. But one point is clear; had there been a trade-route in active operation, Pompey would not have called for a report on its feasibility.