The course of the Nile River is well known throughout Egypt. People also know its path for a long distance beyond Egypt’s southern border. Travelers say that it takes about four months to journey from the city of Elephantine to a land called the Country of the Deserters. This journey can be made either by land or by water. From these reports, people calculated the distance and time and concluded that this part of the river is well understood.
In this region, the Nile flows from west to east. However, beyond this point, no one has certain knowledge of where the river goes. The land farther south is empty and uninhabited because of extreme heat. The climate is so harsh that people cannot live there, and for this reason, explorers have not been able to follow the river any further What Is Known About the Nile River.
Stories Heard from the People of Cyrene
Although no one knows the true source of the Nile, some interesting stories have been passed down. One such story was told by natives of Cyrene. They said that they once visited the oracle of Ammon, a famous religious shrine. While there, they spoke with Etearchus, the king of the Ammonians. During their conversation, the topic turned to the Nile River and the mystery of its source.
Etearchus explained that some visitors had once come to his court who claimed to know something about the inner parts of Libya. These visitors were called the Nasamonians.
The Nasamonians and Their Land
The Nasamonians were a Libyan people who lived near the Syrtis, a coastal region of North Africa. Their land was not very large and lay toward the eastern side of Libya. They were known as desert dwellers and were familiar with harsh landscapes.
According to Etearchus, the Nasamonians once told him a remarkable story. Among their people, some young men had grown up who were the sons of important chiefs. When these young men reached adulthood, they behaved wildly and enjoyed taking great risks Local Ephesus Tour Guides.
A Dangerous Journey into the Desert
These young men decided to explore the unknown desert regions of Libya. They drew lots and chose five of their group to go on this dangerous journey. Their goal was to travel farther into the desert than anyone had ever gone before and to see what lay beyond the known world.
They set out across the desert, passing through sandy regions and dangerous lands. This journey was extremely risky because of the heat, lack of water, and unknown dangers. Still, their desire for adventure pushed them forward.
The Peoples of the Libyan Coast
At that time, the northern coast of Libya, stretching from Egypt to Cape Soloeis in the west, was inhabited by many different Libyan tribes. These tribes lived along the sea and controlled most of the land. However, some parts of the coast were occupied by Phoenicians and Greeks, who had settled there for trade and commerce.
Beyond these coastal regions, the land became more dangerous and unknown. It was into this mysterious interior that the Nasamonian explorers traveled, hoping to discover new lands and perhaps even the secret source of the Nile.
