Tracing An Ancient Trading Route

[Viggen]

Even though archaeological excavations at two Roman-era ports in Egypt and at Pattanam on the Malabar coast have yielded strong evidence of sustained trade between India and the Roman empire, further research is required before it can be stated with finality that Pattanam is indeed the port of `Muziris' described in the `Periplus Maris Erythraei' written in the first century by a sea-faring, Greek-speaking Egyptian merchant.

 

full article at Hindu.com

[Andrew Dalby]

Even though archaeological excavations at two Roman-era ports in Egypt and at Pattanam on the Malabar coast have yielded strong evidence of sustained trade between India and the Roman empire, further research is required before it can be stated with finality that Pattanam is indeed the port of `Muziris' described in the `Periplus Maris Erythraei' written in the first century by a sea-faring, Greek-speaking Egyptian merchant.

 

full article at Hindu.com

For anyone who's interested in Roman trade and exploration, the 'Periplus' is a fascinating read. The best translation and commentary is by Lionel Casson (Princeton Univ Press). Given the choice among Dan Brown, J. K. Rowling and the anonymous author of the Periplus, I'll choose the latter as my desert island companion. Not only is he a better writer than the other two, he also might know the way home.

[Pantagathus]

For anyone who's interested in Roman trade and exploration, the 'Periplus' is a fascinating read. The best translation and commentary is by Lionel Casson (Princeton Univ Press). Given the choice among Dan Brown, J. K. Rowling and the anonymous author of the Periplus, I'll choose the latter as my desert island companion. Not only is he a better writer than the other two, he also might know the way home.

 

I'm glad you said that Andrew. I totally agree.

 

And as I've said before on this board, I highly recommend any of Casson's scholarly work.