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Extraordinary Voyage of Pytheas the Greek
Extraordinary Voyage of Pytheas the Greek | Barry Cunliffe
2 posts | 1 read | 4 to read
Around 330 b.c., a remarkable adventurer named Pytheas set out from the Greek colony of Massalia (now Marseille) on the Mediterranean Sea to explore the fabled, terrifying lands of northern Europe. Renowned archaeologist Barry Cunliffe here re-creates Pytheas's unprecedented journey, which occurred almost 300 years before Julius Caesar landed in Britain. Beginning with an invaluable pocket history of early Mediterranean civilization, Cunliffe illuminates what Pytheas would have seen and experienced--the route he likely took to reach Brittany, then Britain, Iceland, and Denmark; and evidence of the ancient cultures he would have encountered on shore. The discoveries Pytheas made would reverberate throughout the civilized world for years to come, and in recounting his extraordinary voyage, Cunliffe chronicles an essential chapter in the history of civilization.
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A fascinating, albeit somewhat dense, examination of Pytheas the Greek & a journey that took him, if believed, from Massalia (modern day Marseilles) in southern France all the way to Iceland in the 4th c. B.C.E. Using archaeological evidence as well as historical texts, many of which quoted and/or critiqued Pytheas‘s record of his journey titled On the Ocean, Cunliffe argues that Pytheas‘s tale was true & a remarkable feat of exploration. A

MrBook Great review! 5y
Louise Sounds fascinating! 5y
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TracyReadsBooks
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Next nonfiction read is about Pytheas of Massalia (Marsaille) who travelled across the far reaches of Northern Europe around 330 B.C.E. He wrote a book about it, preserved only in other texts which quoted his work, titled On the Ocean. At the time, few people believed he traveled to the places he claimed to visit. Today, it is believed. Using archaeology & historical texts, Cunliffe follows in Pytheas‘ footsteps. Should be an interesting read.

Crazeedi Hmmm I think this might be very interesting ! 5y
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