- Posidonius (135-51 BCE) wrote that a sea captain named Eudoxus of Cyzicus was sent to India by the Egyptian Pharaoh, Ptolemy VIII (182-116 BCE).
- Strabo (c.64-24 CE) records a description of Eudoxus attempting to circumnavigate Africa.
Voyage to India
- Eudoxus made two voyages, the first using an Indian pilot in 118 BCE, and returned with a cargo of spices and precious stones.
- On the second voyage in 116 BCE he sailed unguided. On his return, he was blown south of the Gulf of Aden and travelled down the African coast. This inspired him to try to circumnavigate Africa.
Attempt to Circumnavigate Africa
- Strabo describes this in his ‘Geography’ Book 2, Chapter 3.
- Eudoxus recovered the prow of what was though to be a Carthaginian vessel from Gades (Cadiz) whilst on the east coast of Africa.
- He was determined to retrace the Carthaginian route, and arrived in Gades to set up an expedition.
- Eudoxus set out from Gades down the African coast but was obliged to turn back.
- Eudoxus then took a second expedition to Africa, in c. 100 BCE, but was never heard of again.
Cadiz