052: Mapping the Oikoumene - Explorers & Exploration of the Hellenistic World

Though they viewed themselves as the civilized center of the world, the Greeks had always expressed a curiosity for what lay on the periphery. The conquests of Alexander the Great had thrown open the doors of Asia and Africa, lands that were only the stuff of legend and hearsay, to hordes of Greek explorers, scientists, and diplomats. Many would be bankrolled by the Hellenistic rulers, who looked to seize potential trading opportunities or to redefine the civilized world in order to fit their imperial vision. Those like Megasthenes would venture into the humid subtropics of eastern India, while others like Pytheas of Massalia would sail the frigid North Sea around the mysterious island of Thule. In this episode, we will discuss the developments that occurred within the Greek's conception of the "inhabited world", and learn more about the explorers who helped redraw the map during the Hellenistic period. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of Apollo, played by Lina Palera (https://soundcloud.com/user-994392473) Show Links Website/Episode Notes: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2020/09/28/052-mapping-the-oikoumene-explorers-exploration-of-the-hellenistic-world/) Episode 052 Transcript: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/052-mapping-the-oikoumene-transcript.pdf) Casting Through Ancient Greece Podcast Website: (https://castingthroughancientgreece.com/) Twitter: (https://twitter.com/CastingGreece) Apple: (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/casting-through-ancient-greece/id1495289354) Social Media: Twitter (https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod) Facebook (www.facebook.com/hellenisticagepodcast/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hellenistic_age_podcast/) Show Merchandise: Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellenisticAgePod) Donations: Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/hellenisticagepodcast) Amazon Book Wish List (https://tinyurl.com/vfw6ask)