Classics Retold

In the previous section we had a glimpse of export and import activities at Muza, or Mocha, or Al Mukha situated on the southwest of Yemen. Now, continue to read: After sailing beyond this place about three hundred stadia the coasts of Arabia and the Berber country about the Avalitic gulf now coming close together, there is a channel, not long in extend, which forces the sea together and shuts into a narrow strait, the passage through which, sixty stadia in length, the island Diodorus divides. Therefore the course through it is beset with rushing currents and with strong winds blowing down from the adjacent ridge of mountains. Directly on this strait by the shore there is a village of Arabs subject to the same chief, called Ocelis , which is not so much a market-town as it is an anchorage and watering place and first landing for those sailing into the Gulf. My Search: 1. Berber countries: Berber country here means Berbera and its surrounding region, and not North African countries. B...

In the previous para we have seen the city of Zafar, Yemen.  The present para further elaborate on Muza. The Market-town Muza is without harbour, but has good roadstead and anchorage because of the sandy bottom thereabouts, where the anchors hold safely. The merchandise imported there consists of purple cloths, both fine and coarse; clothing in the Arabian style with sleeves; plain, ordinary, embroidered or interwoven with gold; saffron, sweet rush, muslins, cloaks, blankets (not many), some plain and others made in local fashion; sashes of different colours, fragrant ointments in moderate quantity, wine and wheat, not much. For the country produces in moderate amount, and a great deal of wine. And to the king and chief are given horses, and sumpter-mules (mules used to carry loads), vessels of gold and polished silver, finely woven clothing and copper vessels. There are exported from the same place the things produced in the country: selected myrrh, and the  stacte, alabaster...

In the previous Section, we had a glimpse of the port city of Mocha (modern day Al Mukha) and then of  Sa'da on the northwest of Yemen. After nine days more there is Saphar, the metropolis, in which lives Charibael lawful king of two tribes, the Homerites and those living next to them, called Sabaites; through continual embassies and gifts he is a friend of the Emperors. My Search:- 1. Saphar is identified as Zafar or Dhafar, located in the Abyan valley, Southwestern partn of Yemen. It is northwest of Aden and south of Sana'a. Excavations at Zafar have uncovered ancient coins and inscriptions, ancient city ruins, artefacts indicating trade connections... 2. Charibael: He is a contemporary of the author of Periplus Maris Erythraea. He was an important chief of Sabaeans or Sabeans, one among the various tribes of South Arabia. Sabaic or Sabaean was the language spoken by them. The language belongs to south Arabian Semitic branch of  Afroasiatic language family. 3. Homerite trib...

In the previous para we were at Mocha (Al Mukha), the ancient port city of Muza in Yemen. Continue to read: Three days inland from this port there is a city called Saua , in the midst of the region called Mapharitis and there is a vassal chief named Cholaebus who lives in that city. Notes:- Saua:- Saua may be Sa'da, an ancient city in the Northwest of Yemen. It was under Main Kingdom in 14th century BCE. But it came under the control of the Kingdom of Sheba, by 10th century BCE. There is no unanimity among historians as to the location of Sheba. Mapharitis: Mapharitis was  kingdom in what is now southwest Yemen. Cholaebus: Cholaebus is believed to be Charibael, Vassal chief of southern part of Arabia, who was a contemporary of the author of Periplus Maris Erythraea. The End of the Section 

In the previous section Twenty, towards the end we were at Socotra Island, which the Koinee Greek sailor called Kausmene meaning scorched island or Burnt Island. But in the present section, he is talking about a locality west of it, in Yemen. This itself shows that the ancient document is not a log, but instead a manual prepared for the merchants, most likely ship owners turned captains. Continue to read: Beyond these places, in a bay at the foot of the left side of this gulf there is a place by the shore called Muza , a market town established by law, distant altogether from Berenice for those sailing southward, about twelve thousand stadia, and the whole place is crowded with Arab ship owners and seafaring men, and is busy with the affairs of commerce; for they carry on a trade with the far-side coast and with Barygaza sending their own ships there. My Search:- Muza: Scholars identify Muza with Mocha or Al Mukha in Yemen. It is at the foot of the Gaurdafui channel. Gaurdafui is on th...

In the previous Section the unknown sailor had given us a glimpse into Nabatean Kingdom of Northwest area of Arabian continent and one of their fortified trading post, namely White Village. He is now stationed at White Village, modern day Al Ula, the port of which is Al Wajh. Continue to read: Directly below this place is the adjoining country of Arabia in its length boardering a great distance on the Erethraean Sea. Different tribes inhabit the country, differing in their speech, some partially and some altogether. The land next to the sea is similarly dotted here and there with caves of the Fish-Eaters, but the country inland is peopled by rascally men speaking two languages, who live in villages and nomadic camps, by whom those sailing off the middle course are plundered, and those surviving the shipwrecks are taken for slaves. And so they too are taken prisoners by the chiefs and the kings of Arabia and they are called Carnaites. Navigation is very dangerous along this whole coast ...

At Raphta, it seems the unknown sailor is taking a look at the ports he had already visited. Some of the historians are of the view that the document is a log. Log according to Cambridge dictionary is an official record of events during the voyage of a ship. The record should be in accordance with the course of the voyage. The log had already broken the chronological order. In the last section he switched back to Berenice from Rhapta, and continues therein. Now to the left of Berenice , sailing for two or three days from Mussel Harbour eastward accross the adjacent gulf, there is another harbour and fortified place, which is called White Village from which there is a road to Petra  which is subject to Malichas, King of Nabaatans.  It holds the position of market-town for the small vessels sent there from Arabia and so a centurion is stationed there as a collector of one fourth of the merchandise imported with an armed force, as garrison. My Search:- 1. Berenice: Berenice Tro...