The map shows the position of Media on the tableland south of the
Caspian Sea, east of Armenia and the Zagros Mountains, and north and
west of the mountains of Persia proper and the great rainless Persian
desert, or desert of Iran. The mountain ranges enclosed fertile valleys,
rich in corn and fruits; and the Zagros Mountains had on their pastures
splendid horses, which supplied the chargers of the king and nobles of
Persia.
Persis, or Persia proper, was a mountainous district between the desert
of Iran and the northeastern shore of the Persian Gulf. The country
contained, among its hills, fertile plains and valleys abounding in
corn, pasture and fruits.