Sailing Directions. Echoes of Ancient Nautical Knowledge in the Periplous of Ps.-Skylax

Abstract

This contribution explores how seafaring was practiced in Antiquity through the analysis of the data contained within the Periplous of Ps.-Skylax. Since the Periplous of Ps. -Skylax relies on maritime information dated between the 6th and the end of the 4th century BC, all the bservations presented here should be mainly referred to pre-Hellenistic seafaring. In particular, the focus will be on the way in which three different kinds of information were possibly disseminated amongst seafarers: what course to steer, how far to sail to reach the desired destination and how to sail (i.e. decisions on hugging the coast or crossing directly from one island to another, or on where and when to stop to refurbish the ships).