Note 132 — Chapter X · SYRIA AND THE LAND OF THE NABATAEANS.

The remarkable description of the empire from the time of Constantius (Müller, Geog. Min. ii. p. 213 ff.), the only writing of the kind in which the state of industry meets with a certain consideration, says of Syria in this respect: “Antioch has everything that one desires in abundance, but especially its races. Laodicea, Berytus, Tyre, Caesarea (in Palestine) have races also. Laodicea sends abroad jockeys, Tyre and Berytus actors, Caesarea dancers (pantomimi), Heliopolis on Lebanon flute-players (choraulae), Gaza musicians (auditores, by which ἀκροάματα is incorrectly rendered), Ascalon wrestlers (athletae), Castabala (strictly speaking in Cilicia) boxers.”