Pseudo-Skylax's periplous : the circumnavigation of the inhabited world : text, translation [from the Greek] and commentary

The__Periplous__—often attributed to Skylax of Karyanda but in fact written by an unknown author during the fourth century BC—describes the coasts of the Mediterranean and Black Seas as known by the ancient Greeks in great detail, noting towns, rivers, harbors, and mountains. This is the first full edition of the__Periplous__to be published since 1855, and the first complete English translation. Graham Shipley’s commentary and the sixteen specially produced maps make this edition ideal for teachers and students of the Greek language. The text of the Periplous or'circumnavigation'that survives under the name of Skylax of Karyanda is in fact by an unknown author of the 4th century BC. It describes the coasts of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, naming hundreds of towns with geographical features such as rivers, harbours and mountains. But, argues Graham Shipley, it is not the record of a voyage or a navigational handbook for sailors. It is, rather, the first work of Greek theoretical geography, written in Athens at a time of intellectual ferment and intense speculation about the nature and dimensions of the inhabited world. While other scientists were gathering data about natural science and political systems or making rapid advances in philosophy, rhetorical theory, and cosmology, the unknown author collected data about the structure of the lands bordering the seas known to the Greeks, and compiled sailing distances and times along well-frequented routes. His aim was probably nothing less ambitious than to demonstrate the size of the inhabited world of the Greeks. This is the first full edition of the Periplous for over 150 years, and includes a newly revised Greek text and specially produced maps along with the first complete English translation. Interest in ancient geographical writings has never been so strong, yet many of the key texts are inaccessible to those who do not read Greek. With its relatively limited vocabulary and simple, yet varied, syntax, it will provide a useful text for those moving beyond the elementary study of ancient Greek language. In this fully reset second edition, the introduction is expanded to include a section on the late-antique geographer Markianos, and updates incorporated into both the Introduction and Commentary. The Periplous —often attributed to Skylax of Karyanda but in fact written by an unknown author during the fourth century BC—describes the coasts of the Mediterranean and Black Seas as known by the ancient Greeks in great detail, noting towns, rivers, harbors, and mountains. This is the first full edition of the Periplous to be published since 1855, and the first complete English translation. Graham Shipley’s commentary and the sixteen specially produced maps make this edition ideal for teachers and students of the Greek language. CONTENTS......Page 2 PREFACE......Page 3 SYMBOLS AND SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS......Page 5 INTRODUCTION......Page 6 TEXT......Page 18 TRANSLATION......Page 33 COMMENTARY......Page 50 15......Page 56 30......Page 62 45......Page 67 60......Page 73 75......Page 84 90......Page 85 105......Page 97 SELECT APPARATUS CRITICUS......Page 112 WORKS CITED......Page 117 SELECT INDEX......Page 124 The text of the Periplous or 'circumnavigation' is a highly significant geographical text by a 4th century BC author. It describes the coasts of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, and may have been written to demonstrate the size of the inhabited world of the ancient Greeks. This revised edition contains the text and translation, with full commentary.