This coast[25] immediately beyond the boundaries of Palestine is held by Saracens, who have been settled from of old in the Palm Groves.  These groves are in the interior, extending over a great tract of land, and there absolutely nothing else grows except palm trees.  The Emperor Justinian had received these palm groves as a present from Abochorabus, the ruler of the Saracens there, and he was appointed by the emperor captain over the Saracens in Palestine.  And he guarded the land from plunder constantly, for both to the barbarians over whom he ruled and no less to the enemy, Abochorabus always seemed a man to be feared and an exceptionally energetic fellow.  Formally, therefore, the emperor holds the Palm Groves, but for him really to possess himself of any of the country there is utterly impossible.  For a land completely destitute of human habitation and extremely dry lies between, extending to the distance of a ten days’ journey; moreover the Palm Groves themselves are by no means worth anything, and Abochorabus only gave the form of a gift, and the emperor accepted it with full knowledge of the fact.  So much then for the Palm Groves.  Adjoining this people there are other Saracens in possession of the coast, who are called Maddeni and who are subjects of the Homeritae.  These Homeritae dwell in the land on the farther side of them on the shore of the sea.  And beyond them many other nations are said to be settled as far as the man-eating Saracens.  Beyond these are the nations of India.  But regarding these matters let each one speak as he may wish.

About opposite the Homeritae on the opposite mainland dwell the Aethiopians who are called Auxomitae, because their king resides in the city of Auxomis.  And the expanse of sea which lies between is crossed in a voyage of five days and nights, when a moderately favouring wind blows.  For here they are accustomed to navigate by night also, since there are no shoals at all in these parts; this portion of the sea has been called the Red Sea by some.  For the sea which one traverses beyond this point as far as the shore and the city of Aelas has received the name of the Arabian Gulf, inasmuch as the country which extends from here to the limits of the city of Gaza used to be called in olden times Arabia, since the king of the Arabs had his palace in early times in the city of Petrae.  Now the harbour of the Homeritae from which they are accustomed to put to sea for the voyage to Aethiopia is called Bulicas; and at the end of the sail across the sea they always put in at the harbour of the Adulitae.  But the city of Adulis is removed from the harbour a distance of twenty stades (for it lacks only so much of being on the sea), while from the city of Auxomis it is a journey of twelve days.