Ovid has the following mention of Taprobane, as a part of the world removed almost beyond the limits of human intercourse; to which, he asks, of what advantage it could be for his fame to reach?
Quid tibi, si calida, prosit, laudere Syene
Aut ubi Taprobanen Indica cingit aqua.
Pont, El. 8. 1. 79.
In the time of Ptolemy the island was called Zaun, and the inhabitants Zaa. Hence we discern the origin of the modern name of Seylan, or Ceylon. The Arabians add to this name a termination, signifying island, Seylan-Dive, or Silendib.
Pliny[1] says that Taprobane was long supposed to be another conti- nent, alterum orbem terrarum ;" and that it was not clearly known to be an island till the age of Alexander. He tells us, that Onesicritus had celebrated its elephants above those of India, on account of their greater bulk, and their more warlike properties; and that Eratosthenes had extolled the purity of its gold, and the size of its pearls.
Those who make this, voyage, says Pliny,[2] cannot conduct their course by the observation of the stars, for the north pole is no longer visible to the eye. But the mariners, according to an ancient practice, carried birds in the vessel, which they set at liberty at intervals, in order to mark the direction they pursued to the land.
An accidental occurrence, in the reign of the Emperor Claudius,[3]
contributed to make the Romans more acquainted with the Island of Ceylon, and to increase their intercourse with that part of the world.
- ↑ Hist. Nat. lib. vi. cap. 29. Pomponius Mela says, "Taprobane aut grandis admodum insula, aut prima pars orbis alterius Hipparcho dicitur;" that Hipparchus thought it either a very large island, or the commencement of a new continent.
- ↑ "Syderum in navigando nulla observatio."
- ↑ Claudius began his reign in 41, and died in 54.
