Strabo, Geography, Hans Claude Hamilton (Translator), William Falconer (Translator), 1.1.20

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[20] Geometry and astronomy, as we before remarked, seem absolutely indispensable in this science. This, in fact, is evident, that without some such assistance, it would be impossible to be accurately acquainted with the configuration of the earth; its climata,¹ dimensions, and the like information.

As the size of the earth has been demonstrated by other writers, we shall here take for granted and receive as accurate what they have advanced. We shall also assume that the earth is spheroidal, that its surface is likewise spheroidal, and above all, that bodies have a tendency towards its centre, which latter point is clear to the perception of the most average understanding. However we may show summarily that the earth is spheroidal, from the consideration that all things however distant tend to its centre, and that every body is attracted towards its centre of gravity; this is more distinctly proved from observations of the sea and sky, for here the evidence of the senses, and common observation, is alone requisite. The convexity of the sea is a further proof of this to those who have sailed; for they cannot perceive lights at a distance when placed at the same level as their eyes, but if raised on high, they at once become perceptible to vision, though at the same time further removed. So, when the eye is raised, it sees what before was utterly imperceptible. Homer speaks of this when he says,

Lifted up on the vast wave he quickly beheld afar.²

Odyssey v. 393. Sailors, as they approach their destination, behold the shore continually raising itself to their view; and objects which had at first seemed low, begin to elevate themselves. Our gnomons, also, are, among other things, evidence of the revolution of the heavenly bodies; and common sense at once shows us, that if the depth of the earth were infinite,³ such a revolution could not take place.

Every information respecting the climata⁴ is contained in the Treatises on Positions.⁵

Geography. Strabo. Hans Claude Hamilton (Translator), William Falconer (Translator). London. 1854-1857.

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Current edition Perseus

Geography (English) (Strabo. The Geography of Strabo, Vols. 1-3. Hamilton, Hans Claude, translator; Falconer, William, translator. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1854-1857.)

Editions (1)

Γεωγραφικά Perseus (Strabo. Strabonis Geographica, Vols. 1-3. Meineke, August, editor. Leipzig: Teubner. 1877.) — 1.1.20 focus

[20] μάλιστα δὲ δοκεῖ, καθάπερ εἴρηται, γεωμετρίας τε καὶ ἀστρονομίας δεῖν τῇ τοιαύτῃ ὑποθέσει. καὶ δεῖ μὲν ὡς ἀληθῶς· σχήματα γὰρ καὶ κλίματα καὶ μεγέθη καὶ τὰ ἄλλα τὰ τούτοις οἰκεῖα οὐχ οἷόν τε λαβεῖν καλῶς ἄνευ τῆς τοιαύτης μεθόδου. ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ τὰ περὶ τὴν ἀναμέτρησιν τῆς ὅλης γῆς ἐν ἄλλοις δεικνύουσιν, ἐνταῦθα δὲ ὑποθέσθαι δεῖ καὶ πιστεῦσαι τοῖς ἐκεῖ δειχθεῖσιν ὑποθέσθαι δὲ καὶ σφαιροειδῆ μὲν τὸν κόσμον, σφαιροειδῆ δὲ καὶ τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς γῆς, ἔτι δὲ τούτων πρότερον τὴν ἐπὶ τὸ μέσον τῶν σωμάτων φοράν. ταῦτα μὲν οὖν ἐπεὶ τῆς αἰσθήσεως ἢ τῶν κοινῶν ἐννοιῶν ἐγγύς ἐστιν εἰ ἄρα, ἐπισημηνάμενοι ἐπὶ κεφαλαίῳ μικρά· οἷον ὅτι ἡ γῆ σφαιροειδής, ἐκ μὲν τῆς ἐπὶ τὸ μέσον φορᾶς πόρρωθεν ἡ ὑπόμνησις καὶ τοῦ ἕκαστον σῶμα ἐπὶ τὸ αὑτοῦ ἄρτημα νεύειν, ἐκ δὲ τῶν κατὰ πελάγη καὶ τὸν οὐρανὸν φαινομένων ἐγγύθεν· καὶ γὰρ ἡ αἴσθησις ἐπιμαρτυρεῖν δύναται καὶ ἡ κοινὴ ἔννοια. φανερῶς γὰρ ἐπιπροσθεῖ τοῖς πλέουσιν ἡ κυρτότης τῆς θαλάττης, ὥστε μὴ προσβάλλειν τοῖς πόρρω φέγγεσι τοῖς ἐπʼ ἴσον ἐξῃρμένοις τῇ ὄψει. ἐξαρθέντα γοῦν πλέον τῆς ὄψεως ἐφάνη, καίτοι πλέον ἀποσχόντα αὐτῆς· ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ μετεωρισθεῖσα εἶδε τὰ κεκρυμμένα πρότερον. ὅπερ δηλοῖ καὶ ὁ ποιητής· τοιοῦτον γάρ ἐστι καὶ τό ὀξὺ μάλα προϊδών, μεγάλου ὑπὸ κύματος ἀρθείς. καὶ τοῖς προσπλέουσι δὲ ἀεὶ καὶ μᾶλλον ἀπογυμνοῦται τὰ πρόσγεια μέρη καὶ τὰ φανέντα ἐν ἀρχαῖς ταπεινὰ ἐξαίρεται μᾶλλον. τῶν τε οὐρανίων ἡ περιφορὰ ἐναργής ἐστι καὶ ἄλλως καὶ ἐκ τῶν γνωμονικῶν· ἐκ δὲ τούτων εὐθὺς ὑποτείνει καὶ ἡ ἔννοια, ὅτι ἐρριζωμένης ἐπʼ ἄπειρον τῆς γῆς οὐκ ἂν ἡ τοιαύτη περιφορὰ συνέβαινε. καὶ τὰ περὶ τῶν κλιμάτων δὲ ἐν τοῖς περὶ τῶν οἰκήσεων δείκνυται.

Notes on the current edition

Geography

1. Vide preceding note on this word, p. 13, n. 1.

2. Odyssey v. 393.

3. Allusion is here made to the theory of Xenophanes of Colophon and Anaximenes his disciple, who imagined the earth bore the form of a vast mountain, inhabited at the summit, but whose roots stretched into infinity. The Siamese at the present day hold a similar idea.

4. See note 1, p. 13.

5. πεοͅὶ τῶν οἰκήσεων.

Strabo Geography 1.1.20

Hans Claude Hamilton (Translator), William Falconer (Translator)

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