Minor, the Hermus (Ghiediz Chai), and the Maeander (Mendere) on the
west, the Sangarius (Sakka-riyeh), the Halys (Kizil Irmak), and the Iris
(Yechil Irmak) on the north, the Cydnus (Tersoos Chai), Sarus (Cilician
Syhun), and Pyramus (Cilician Jyhun) on the south; in Armenia and the
adjacent regions, the Araxes (Aras), Cyrus (Kur), and Phasis (Eion); on
the Iranic plateau, the Sefid-rud, the Zenderud or river of Isfahan, the
Etymandrus (Helmend), and the Arius (Heri-rud); in the low country east
of the Caspian, the Gurgan and Ettrek, rivers of Hyrcania, the Margus
Churghab (or river of Merv), the Delias or river of Balkh, the Ak Su or
Bokhara river, and the Kizil Deria, a stream in the Khanat of Kokand;
in Afghanistan and India, the Kabul river, the Hydaspes (Jelum), the
Aoesines (Chenab), the Hydraotes (Ravee), and the Hyphasis (Sutlej
or Gharra); in Persia Proper, the Oroatis (Hindyan or Tab), and the
Bendamir; in Susiana, the Pasitigris (Kuran), the Hedypnus (Jerahi),
the Choaspes (Kerkhah), and the Eulsenus (a branch of the same); in the
Upper Zagros region, the Gyndes (Diyaleh), and the Greater and Lesser
Zabs; in Mesopotamia, the Chaboras (Kha-bour), and Bilichus (Belik);
finally, in Syria and Palestine, the Orontes or river of Antioch
(Nahr-el-asy), the Jordan, and the Barada or river of Damascus. Thus,
besides the six great rivers of the Empire, forty other considerable
streams fertilized and enriched the territories of the Persian monarch,
which, though they embraced many arid tracts, where cultivation was
difficult, must be pronounced upon the whole well-watered, considering
their extent and the latitude in which they lay.

The Empire possessed, besides its rivers, a number of important lakes.
Omitting the Caspian and the Aral, which lay upon its borders, there
were contained within the Persian territories the following important
basins: the Urumiyeh, Lake Van, and Lake Goutcha or Sivan in Armenia;
Lakes Touz-Ghieul, Egerdir, Bey-Shehr, Chardak, Soghla, Buldur,