Pomponius Mela Description of the world.

" The World According To Mela "

The Description of the World, last translated into English over 400 years ago, is the earliest surviving geography book in Latin. Although it was first published at the height of the Roman Empire, in the mid-first century of this era, 'The Description of The World' circulated chiefly during Europe's great Age of Exploration. Pomponius Mela's work integrates geographical description with more familiar historical, cultural, and mythological information.

Pomponius Mela knew of the Chinese and he reports geographical and cultural information about Sri Lanka and India, as well as Mediterranean and European places that are less remote to his experience. The outer edges of all the continents, including Europe, however, remained unfamiliar to the Romans. It is on the inhabited world's outer edges that the creatures of legend and mythology were believed to live.

F.E.Romer's introduction assesses Pomponius Mela as a literary and geographic writer, while his translation follows the author's Latin style in accessible, modern English.

Pomponius Mela emerges as both a more engaging and a more consciously literary author than has generally been recognized.

Romer's commentary clarifies specific ideas raised in the text. He also identifies and explains important issues and points the reader to ancient sources and modern works. This new study will intrigue students and teachers of ancient history, as well as historians, classicists and anyone interested in history of geography and education.