200. These customs then are established among the Babylonians: and there are of them three tribes 222 which eat nothing but fish only: and when they have caught them and dried them in the sun they do thus⁠—they throw them into brine, and then pound them with pestles and strain them through muslin; and they have them for food either kneaded into a soft cake, or baked like bread, according to their liking.

201. When this nation also had been subdued by Cyrus, he had a desire to bring the Massagetai into subjection to himself. This nation is reputed to be both great and warlike, and to dwell towards the East and the sunrising, beyond the river Araxes and over against 223 the Issedonians: and some also say that this nation is of Scythian race. 202.