HKB
[CASAUB. 141] 1. Turdetania lies above the coast on this side the Guadiana,[1020] and is intersected by the river Guadalquiver.[1021] It is bounded on the west and north by the river Guadiana; on the east by certain of the Carpetani and the Oretani; on the south by those of the Bastetani who inhabit the narrow slip of coast between Calpe and Gadeira, and by the sea beyond as far as the Guadiana. The Bastetani whom I have mentioned, together with the people on the other side the Guadiana, and many of the places adjacent, belong to Turdetania. The size of this country in its length and breadth does not exceed two thousand stadia, still it contains a vast number of towns; two hundred, it is said. Those best known are situated on the rivers, estuaries, and sea; but the two which have acquired the greatest name and importance are, Corduba, founded by Marcellus,[1022] and the city of the Gaditanians.[1023] The latter for its naval importance, and its alliance with the Romans; and the former on account of its fertility and extent, a considerable portion of the Guadalquiver flowing by it; in addition to this it has been from its commencement inhabited by picked men, whether natives or Romans; and it was the first colony planted by the Romans in these parts.
After this city and that of the Gaditanians, Hispalis[1024] is the most noted. This also is a Roman colony. Commerce is still carried on here, although at the present moment the city of Bætis[1025] though not so finely built, is outshining it, on account of the honour it has received from the soldiers of Cæsar taking up their quarters there.
After these are Italica,[1026] and Ilipa,[1027] situated on the Guadalquiver; farther on are Astygis,[1028] Carmo,[1029] and Obulco; and besides these Munda,[1030] Ategua, Urso,[1031] Tukkis,[1032] Julia,[1033] and Ægua, where the sons of Pompey were defeated. None of these places are far from Corduba. Munda is in some sort regarded as the metropolis of the whole district. This place is distant from Carteia 1400[1034] stadia, and it was here that Cnæus fled after his defeat, and sailing thence landed on a rocky height overlooking the sea, where he was murdered. His brother Sextus, having escaped from Corduba, after carrying on the war for a short time in Spain, caused a revolt in Sicily. Flying thence into Asia he was seized at Miletus[1035] by the generals[1036] of Antony, and executed. Amongst the Kelts the most famous place is Conistorgis.[1037] Upon the estuaries is Asta,[1038] in which the Gaditani mostly hold their assemblies; it is opposite the sea-port of the island, at a distance of not more than 100 stadia.
A vast number of people dwell along the Guadalquiver; and you may sail up it almost 1200 stadia from the sea to Corduba, and the places a little higher up. The banks and little islets of this river are cultivated with the greatest diligence. [CASAUB. 142.] The eye is also delighted with groves and gardens, which in this district are met with in the highest perfection. As far as Ispalis, which is a distance of not less than 500 stadia, the river is navigable for ships[1039] of considerable size; but for the cities higher up, as far as Ilipas, smaller vessels are employed, and thence to Corduba river-boats. These are now constructed of planks joined together, but they were formerly made out of a single trunk. Above this to Castlon the river is no longer navigable. A chain of mountains, rich in metal, runs parallel to the Guadalquiver,[1040] approaching the river sometimes more, sometimes less, towards the north.