Geographer Historian Philosopher
Strabo, a Greek geographer, philosopher, and historian, lived during the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire in Asia Minor. His most renowned work, Geographica ("Geography"), provides a comprehensive account of people and places known during his time. Although not widely used by contemporaries, Geographica survived through numerous copies in the Byzantine Empire and was first translated into Latin in Rome around 1469. Isaac Casaubon published the first critical edition in 1587. Strabo emphasized a descriptive approach in his work, valuing practicality over numerical precision, catering to statesmen interested in the character of different regions. Geographica offers valuable insights into the ancient world and is especially reliable when corroborated by other sources. Strabo extensively traveled, documenting his journeys from Etruria to Ethiopia and beyond. Geographica's first edition likely appeared around 7 BC, with the final edition completed no later than 23 AD. Strabo praised Alexandria in his work, highlighting its thriving economy and well-planned infrastructure. Despite his pro-Roman stance, Strabo emphasized Greek cultural primacy over Rome in various contexts. In his geographic studies, Strabo was the first to link the Danube and the Istros (modern-day Danube River), marking the change of names at the Iron Gates on the Romanian/Serbian border. Although he never visited India, Strabo described mythical and factual creatures, including flying reptiles and winged scorpions, mentioned by other historians like Herodotus and Aristotle.
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