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Prehistoric islands in the Atlantic Ocean
(From Diodurus Siculus)
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The existence of a large island in the Atlantic Ocean in ancient times, in the age of the prehistoric Dionysus
(According to Diodorus Siculus in "Historical Library", book 5, Ch. 19, 20, 21)
Another amazing report about the islands that existed in the Atlantic west of Libya, during the prehistoric era, is made by the historian, geographer and traveler Diodoros Sikeliotis. Diodorus focuses on an almost paradisiacal island which he does not name, but claims about it that: a) It is quite large in size b) This is several days' journey (apparently he means by ship) from Libya c) Many navigable rivers, streams with fresh water and springs (in the mountainous regions) flow through its territory that water abundant gardens, orchards, fruit trees d) There are forests with beasts and every kind of animal in the mountains, which offer plenty of game to its inhabitants e) The residents live lavishly in luxurious mansions f) The climate is very temperate, with the result that its soil produces many fruits and tree fruits almost all year roun g) The Phoenicians were the first to discover this island completely by accident, because while exploring the coast of Libya, they were once carried away by a strong wind deep in the ocean for many days and found the previously unknown island.
Below are Diodorus' descriptions:
(Ch. 19, par. 1, 2, 5):
1 "...But now that we have discussed what relates to the islands which lie within the Pillars of Heracles, we shall give an account of those which are in the ocean. For there lies out in the deep off Libya an island of considerable size, and situated as it is in the ocean it is distant from Libya a voyage of a number of days to the west. Its land is fruitful, much of it being mountainous and not a little being a level plain of surpassing beauty.
2 Through it flow navigable rivers which are used for irrigation, and the island contains many parks planted with trees of every variety and gardens in great multitudes which are traversed by streams of sweet water; on it also are private villas of costly construction, and throughout the gardens banqueting houses have been constructed in a setting of flowers, and in them the inhabitants pass their time during the summer season, since the land supplies in abundance everything which contributes to enjoyment and luxury."
5 "...The climate of the island is so temperate that for the greater part of the year it produces abundant fruits of trees and other fruits, so that from so much bliss it is considered the abode of gods and not of men..." Historical Library, vol. 5, ch. 19 , translated by Philological group of Cactus
In another part of his "Historical Library" Diodorus mentions the way in which the above island of the Atlantic Ocean was first discovered:
(Ch. 20):
1 "... In ancient times this island remained undiscovered because of its distance from the entire inhabited world, but it was discovered at a later period for the following reason. The Phoenicians, who from ancient times on made voyages continually for purposes of trade, planted many colonies throughout Libya and not a few as well in the western parts of Europe. And since their ventures turned out according to their expectations, they amassed great wealth and essayed to voyage beyond the Pillars of Heracles into the sea which men call the ocean..."
2 "... And, first of all, upon the Strait itself by the Pillars they founded a city on the shores of Europe, and since the land formed a peninsula they called the city Gadeira; in the city they built many works appropriate to the nature of the region, and among them a costly temple of Heracles,3 and they instituted magnificent sacrifices which were conducted after the manner of the Phoenicians. And it has come to pass that this shrine has been held in an honour beyond the ordinary, both at the time of its building and in comparatively recent days down even to our own lifetime. Also many Romans, distinguished men who have performed great deeds, have offered vows to this god, and these vows they have performed after the completion of their successes..."
3 "... The Phoenicians, then, while exploring the coast outside the Pillars for the reasons we have stated and while sailing along the shore of Libya, were driven by strong winds a great distance out into the ocean. And after being storm-tossed for many days they were carried ashore on the island we mentioned above, and when they had observed its felicity and nature they caused it to be known to all men..." Historical Library, vol. 5, ch. 20 , translated by Philological group of Cactus
Then, in Ch. 21 par. 1, 2 the Siculus mentions the existence of many islands with the largest being the Prettanian island (he means the British island) opposite the Galatian coast and that this island "... in the old days remained far from any foreign influence because not even for neither Dionysus (or Dionysos), nor Heracles, nor our other heroes and leaders, are reported to have ever campaigned on it, while in our own times Caesar was the first to subdue this island...".
Historic Analysis - Comments
Here at this point 21-2 , Diodorus is revealing about the time period he is referring to: He may not give a specific date, but he says that these islands in the Atlantic Ocean existed from the "old days", from the time of the prehistoric Dionysus.
© Copyright by Theodoros Paschos, Athens, 2000
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