Book 5 - Africa and Western Asia

Summary

Book 5 is oriented on the southern and eastern coasts of the Mediterranean. The discussion includes the known portions of the continent of Africa (essentially as far south as the tropics, 1–46), and then continues to Egypt, which is considered a region separate from Africa (47–64). After an account of Egypt that is limited to its more northern portions, the narrative moves through coastal Asia, from western Arabia north into Judaea and Phoenicia, and to Syria, with a digression on the Euphrates River (65–90). Then there is consideration of the coastal territories of Asia Minor, from Syria around as far as the Troad (Troas) and the Thracian Bosporus (91–127). The book concludes with the Aegean islands not previously discussed (those close to the Asian shore), some of the inland territories of western Asia, and the islands in the Propontis (128–151). The end of the book leads directly into the beginning of Book 6, continuing the examination of northern Asia Minor.