Sailing Around Erythraean Sea: Nine


Updated 30/11/2024
We have seen in Section eight, that the anonymous sailor had been in Malao (Berbera), on the upper base of the Horn of Africa. Now the narrative continues:

Two days sail or three, beyond Malao is the market town of Mundus, where the ships lie at anchor safely behind a projecting island close to the shore. There are imported into this place the things previously set forth, and from it likewise are exported the merchandise already stated and the incense called mocrotu. And the traders living here are more quarrelsome [Greek skleros: tough i.e. shrewd traders]

My Search:-


1. Mundus: The word is from Latin, means market-town. In ancient times Mundus was a hub of trade and commerce, and of social gatherings. The possible location is Maydh, a promontory.

2. Mocrotu: A kind of aromatic resin. Perhaps it might be frankincense.

End of the Section 

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