'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎25] (56/582)

TO KESRABAD, OR DASTAGHERD.
25
to have been seated in a fine plain or valley, and to have had a
deep and clear stream to cover its approach, which when the
army of Heraclius had passed, the precipitate retreat of Chosroes
threw open the palace of Dastagherd to the Greek Emperor
without resistance. To avenge himself for the devastations and
calamities which his own empire had suffered from the inroads of
Chosroes, Heraclius destroyed this palace, and caused to be
consumed by the flames whatever had constituted to form its
ornaments or its delights.
The Diala has been already said to be the third river enume
rated among those which Heraclius passed from the Tigris, in his
march to Dastagherd. A fourth is then spoken of, as a deep and
clear stream, covering the approach to this palace, and conse
quently lying to the north-west in the line of approach from
Nineveh, and the two rivers of the Great and Little Zab.
The same geographer continues; "We read in history, that
Heraclius, having made three marches in advance from Dasta
gherd, found himself within twelve miles of a river called the
Arba, close to which (and probably along its southern bank) the
Persian army were assembled to cover the approach to Cte-
siphon." #
We have thus, therefore, these fixed data to guide us in our
search after the site of Dastagherd. First, its situation in an
agreeable place, so as to command whatever is thought to con
tribute to the gratification of an eastern taste, in wood, water,
shade, &c. Secondly, its being necessary to cross three rivers,
the Great Zab, the Little Zab, and the Diala, in the march to
ward it from Ctesiphon. Thirdly, its approach being covered by
a deep and clear stream on the north-west. Fourthly, its being
three days' march from it to within twelve miles of the Arba,
* From local position, it is probable that this Arba was some stream flowing from the
eastward into the Diala before the junction of this last river with the Tigris : for, between the
Diala and Ctesiphon, there is no river now existing, nor the bed of any ancient one apparent.