Rhinocorura

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.

*As Rhinocolura or Rhinocorura (in Latin Rhinocoruritanus), a Catholic titular see and suffragan of Pelusium representing the Sinai.