Rhinocorura (or
Rhinocolura) was
the name of a region and associated town (or towns) and rivers
lying between
Ancient Egypt and the
Land of Israel. The name may refer
explicitly to:
- As Rhinocorura, a desert location on the
border between Ancient Egypt and the
Land of Israel mentioned by Strabo (Geographia XVI, 2, 31-32) and
Diodorus Siculus (Historic
Library Vol 1, Chap. 60). This appears to be the original
usage of the name, which means "cut-off noses" in Greek. Diodorus Siculus relates that it was
founded by the Ethiopian king Actisanes as
a place of exile for those found guilty of robbery whom he punished
by cutting off their noses. Strabo's version of the story claims
that it was settled by Ethiopians who had attempted to invade Egypt
and were subsequently punished by having their noses cut off. It
may be identical with the Egyptian border fortress Tjaru, to which officials, who had committed crimes,
were banished after having their noses cut off.
- As Rhinocorura, the "Brook of Egypt". Identified as the
Pelusian
branch of
the Nile - in ancient times the easternmost branch of the Nile,
which subsequently ran dry. It was located roughly where the present
Suez
Canal
lies. This usage of the term is found in the
Septuagint translation of Isaiah 27:12. Presumably the locality
mentioned by Strabo and Diodorus Siculus lay in its vicinity and
gave its name to the river.
- As Rhinocolura, the name of one or two
(depending on interpretation), coastal towns mentioned by Pliny and Josephus.
Pliny writes ambiguously: "and the two towns of Rhinocolura, inland
Raphia, Gaza and inland Anthedon". (Pliny, Historia
Naturalis, V,14.) Josephus mentions a coastal Rhinocolura near
Gaza, Anthedon and Raphia. (Josephus, Antiquities of the
Jews, Book 13, 15:4; Book 24, 11:5). He also mentions
Rhinocolura in connection with Pelusium (Antiquities of the
Jews, Book 14, 14:2; The Jewish War, Book 1, 14).
The
coastal Rhinocolura (or one of them if there were two) is commonly
identified with El-Arish
. It
is uncertain if this is identical to the Rhinocorura of
Strabo and Diodorus Siculus. Archaeologists have found no evidence
of occupation prior to the Hellenistic period at El-Arish.
- As
Rhinocolura or Rhinocorura, the
Wadi
El-Arish. The drying up and disappearance of the
Pelusian arm of the Nile led Biblical commentators to identify the
Rhinocurara of the Septuagint (the "Brook
of Egypt") with the Wadi El-Arish which provides water to
El-Arish identified with the coastal Rhinocolura of Pliny and
Josephus.
.
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