User:Alcaios/Himilco: Difference between revisions – Wikipedia

== Life ==

== Life ==

Little is known of Himilco himself. He was probably contemporary with the Carthaginian explorer [[Hanno the Navigator|Hanno]], who traveled south along the coast of [[West Africa|West Africa.]]<ref name=”Pauly” /> According to Duane W. Roller, they probably belonged to the [[Magonids|Magonid]] family, and were perhaps brothers.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}} [[Stéphane Gsell|Stephane Gsell]], followed by [[Brian Herbert Warmington]]<nowiki/>s, suggested that Hanno and Himilco were the sons of [[Hamilcar I of Carthage|Hamilcar]], who died in 480BC at the [[battle of Himera]].<ref>{{harvnb|Roller|2013|p=31 n. 73}}, citing Gsell, ”Histoire ancienne de l’Afrique du Nord”, pp. 517-18; R. Law, “North Africa in the Period of Phoenician and Greek Colonization”, 1978, pp. 121–2; Warmington, ”Carthage”, p. 60.</ref> The date of Himilco’s travel depends on that of Hanno, which is itself uncertain, but was perhaps shortly after 500 BC.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}

Little is known of Himilco . He was probably contemporary with the Carthaginian explorer [[Hanno the Navigator|Hanno]], who traveled south along the coast of [[West Africa|West Africa.]]<ref name=”Pauly” /> According to Duane W. Roller, they probably belonged to the [[Magonids|Magonid]] family, and were perhaps brothers.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}} [[Stéphane Gsell]], followed by [[Brian Herbert Warmington]], suggested that Hanno and Himilco were the sons of [[Hamilcar I of Carthage|Hamilcar]], who died in 480BC at the [[battle of Himera]].<ref>{{harvnb|Roller|2013|p=31 n. 73}}, citing Gsell, ”Histoire ancienne de l’Afrique du Nord”, pp. 517-18; R. Law, “North Africa in the Period of Phoenician and Greek Colonization”, 1978, pp. 121–2; Warmington, ”Carthage”, p. 60.</ref> The date of Himilco’s travel depends on that of Hanno, which is itself uncertain, but was perhaps shortly after 500 BC.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}

The lost account of his adventures, ”Periplus of the Northern Sea”, is later mentioned by the Roman writers [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] (1st c. AD) and [[Avianus|Avienus]] (4th c. AD).{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}<ref name=”Oxford” /> The earliest reference, Pliny, records that Himilco was sent to learn what was beyond the extremities of Europe (“ad extera Europae noscenda missus”) at the same time as Hanno.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}} The other extant record of his journey, Avienus’s ”[[Ora maritima]]”, does not list Himilco in the sources for the poem, but Avienus stated that he learned about the Carthaginian from ancient Punic records. The explorer is named three times, with only sparse information.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}

The lost account of his adventures, ”Periplus of the Northern Sea”, is later mentioned by the Roman writers [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] (1st c. AD) and [[Avianus|Avienus]] (4th c. AD).{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}<ref name=”Oxford” /> Pliny records that Himilco was sent to learn what was beyond the extremities of Europe at the same time as Hanno.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}} The other extant record of his journey, Avienus’s ”[[Ora maritima]]”, does not list Himilco in the sources for poem, but Avienus that he learned about the Carthaginian from ancient Punic records. The explorer is named three times, with only sparse information.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}

Pliny’s citation of Himilco in a catalogue of African explorers and his use of his report in his African book seems to indicate that the Carthaginian also went south.{{Sfn|Carpenter|1966|pp=213–214}}{{Sfn|Roller|2013|p=28 n. 48}}

Pliny’s citation of Himilco in a catalogue of African explorers and his use of his report in his African book seems to indicate that the Carthaginian also went south.{{Sfn|Carpenter|1966|pp=213–214}}{{Sfn|Roller|2013|p=28 n. 48}}

== Travel ==

== Travel ==

=== Background ===

Himilco’s exploration took place beyond what were then considered the limits of Europe, although Greek sailors such as the [[Phocaeans]] and [[Massalia|Massalians]] had already reached at least [[Ophiussa]] (modern Portugal) and possibly north-western [[Brittany]]. Whether Himilco was aware of these earlier voyages is uncertain due to Greek secrecy about their expeditions.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}

Himilco’s exploration took place beyond what were then considered the limits of Europe, although Greek sailors such as the [[Phocaeans]] and [[Massalia|Massalians]] had already reached at least [[Ophiussa]] (modern Portugal) and possibly north-western [[Brittany]]. Whether Himilco was aware of these earlier voyages is uncertain due to Greek secrecy about their expeditions.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}

=== Reports ===

Himilco appears to have explored this Sacred Island, though the difficult journey reportedly took four months instead of two days. Such an exaggeration has often been interpreted as Carthaginian misdirection but it may also be a vestige of the total length of Himilco’s cruise, perhaps showing that he went elsewhere, such as the Atlantic islands.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}} However, Himilco is unlikely to have reached the [[Sargasso Sea]], since it lies far out in the western Atlantic beyond the [[Azores]] and well outside the range of his probable route.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}<ref name=”Oxford” />

Scholars have argues that those conditions plausibly reflect a coastal voyage toward [[Brittany]].<ref name=”Oxford” /> If the reported two-day distance from the Oestrymnides (presumably part of Brittany) is reliable, Himilco likely crossed from Brittany to the British Isles. The “Sacred Island”, ”hierà nêsos” (ἱερὰ νῆσος), mentioned in the ”Ora maritima” may correspond to the ancient Greek name for Ireland, ”Iérnē” (Ἰέρνη), although this remains speculative.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=28–29}} This has led some scholars to suggest that Himilco may have been the first Mediterranean sailor to reach and record Ireland’s name, which otherwise does not reappear in surviving literature until the 1st century BC. Avienus may also have drawn from Himilco’s report the ethnonym ”Albiones”, related to the ancient name for Britain. The Albiones were known to the [[Tartessians]], which may have led the Carthaginians to investigate the region.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=28–29}}

The “Sacred Island”, ”hierà nêsos” (ἱερὰ νῆσος), mentioned in the ”Ora maritima” may correspond to the ancient Greek name for Ireland, ”Iérnē” (Ἰέρνη), although this remains speculative.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=28–29}} This has led some scholars to suggest that Himilco may have been the first Mediterranean sailor to reach and record Ireland’s name, which otherwise does not reappear in surviving literature until the 1st century BC. Avienus may also have drawn from Himilco’s report the ethnonym ”Albiones”, related to the ancient name for Britain. The Albiones were known to the [[Tartessians]], which may have led the Carthaginians to investigate the region.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=28–29}}

All three citations of Himilco’s voyage stress its hazards: a windless, sluggish sea choked with seaweed that hindered ships, shallow shoals, frequent fog, vast rolling swells, and even sea monsters, together conveying the impression of a difficult and hazardous northern passage.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}

All three citations of Himilco’s voyage stress its hazards: a windless, sluggish sea choked with seaweed that hindered ships, shallow shoals, frequent fog, vast rolling swells, and even sea monsters, together conveying the impression of a difficult and hazardous northern passage.{{Sfn|Roller|2013|pp=27–28}}

== See also ==

== See also ==

Carthaginian navigator and explorer

Himilco was a Carthaginian navigator and explorer who lived during the late 6th or early 5th century BC.^[1] Himilco is the first known explorer from the Mediterranean Sea to reach the northwestern shores of Europe.^[2]

Little is known of Himilco’s life. He was probably contemporary with the Carthaginian explorer Hanno, who traveled south along the coast of West Africa.^[2] According to Duane W. Roller, they probably belonged to the Magonid family, and were perhaps brothers. Stéphane Gsell, followed by B. H. Warmington, suggested that Hanno and Himilco were the sons of Hamilcar, who died in 480BC at the battle of Himera.^[4] The date of Himilco’s travel depends on that of Hanno, which is itself uncertain, but was perhaps shortly after 500 BC.

The lost account of his adventures, Periplus of the Northern Sea, is later mentioned by the Roman writers Pliny (1st c. AD) and Avienus (4th c. AD).^[1] Pliny records that Himilco was sent to learn what was beyond the extremities of Europe at the same time as Hanno. The other extant record of his journey, Avienus’s Ora maritima, does not list Himilco in the sources for his poem, but Avienus mentions that he learned about the Carthaginian from ancient Punic records. The explorer is named three times, with only sparse information.

Pliny’s citation of Himilco in a catalogue of African explorers and his use of his report in his African book seems to indicate that the Carthaginian also went south.

Around 500 BC, Himilco appears to have been dispatched to explore the far north-western limits of Europe, likely responding to reports from Tartessos (and possibly Greek traders) of wealthy lands beyond the continent, which perhaps included tin sources, though this is not explicitly stated. Scholars have debated whether his expedition served official Carthaginian trade interests to monopolise the tin and lead trade, or whether it was undertaken independently.^[2]`

Himilco’s exploration took place beyond what were then considered the limits of Europe, although Greek sailors such as the Phocaeans and Massalians had already reached at least Ophiussa (modern Portugal) and possibly north-western Brittany. Whether Himilco was aware of these earlier voyages is uncertain due to Greek secrecy about their expeditions.

Himilco likely reached a coastal zone about four days of travel beyond the Pillars of Heracles (Strait of Gibraltar), which was then used by the fishermen of Gades (near modern Cadix). The Ora maritima gives little concrete information about his voyage, but mentions a “Sacred Island” (Sacra Insula), inhabited by the Hierni, two days from the Oestrymnides, with a nearby island inhabited by the Albiones.

Himilco appears to have explored this Sacred Island, though the difficult journey reportedly took four months instead of two days. Such an exaggeration has often been interpreted as Carthaginian misdirection but it may also be a vestige of the total length of Himilco’s cruise, perhaps showing that he went elsewhere, such as the Atlantic islands. However, Himilco is unlikely to have reached the Sargasso Sea, since it lies far out in the western Atlantic beyond the Azores and well outside the range of his probable route.^[1]

Scholars have argued that those conditions plausibly reflect a coastal voyage toward Brittany.^[1] He followed the known route to the Oestrymnides, then sailed for two days to the land of the Hierni (which in Greek became the “Sacred Island”), apparently bypassing Cornwall. He heard of the nearby lands of the Albiones but may not have visited them. He could have touched the Welsh coast or Cornwall on the return. There is no evidence that he sailed into the English Channel. If the reported two-day distance from the Oestrymnides (presumably part of Brittany) is reliable, Himilco likely crossed from Brittany to the British Isles.

The “Sacred Island”, hierà nêsos (ἱερὰ νῆσος), mentioned in the Ora maritima may correspond to the ancient Greek name for Ireland, Iérnē (Ἰέρνη), although this remains speculative. This has led some scholars to suggest that Himilco may have been the first Mediterranean sailor to reach and record Ireland’s name, which otherwise does not reappear in surviving literature until the 1st century BC. Avienus may also have drawn from Himilco’s report the ethnonym Albiones, related to the ancient name for Britain. The Albiones were known to the Tartessians, which may have led the Carthaginians to investigate the region.

All three citations of Himilco’s voyage in Avenius’s poem stress its hazards: a windless, sluggish sea choked with seaweed that hindered ships, shallow shoals, frequent fog, vast rolling swells, and even sea monsters, together conveying the impression of a difficult and hazardous northern passage.

• Carpenter, Rhys (1966). Beyond the Pillars of Heracles. Delacorte Press.
• Roller, Duane W. (2013). Through the Pillars of Herakles: Greco-Roman Exploration of the Atlantic. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-19232-8.