Unknown, Exhibit of the Whole World and its Peoples 31
https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/226
Context
Exhibit of the Whole World and its Peoples was composed by
a learned resident of the eastern Roman Empire during the reign of Constantius II, probably
during the late 350s in Syria-Phoenicia. It is a condensed geographical survey with
annotations on culture and trade, divided into three books on the unknown east and on the
lands and islands within the Imperial borders. The work survives in two Latin versions of
the 6th century, one (A) longer and presumably closer to the original, and the other
apparently an abbreviation (B). This passage explains the goods exported by different cities
across greater Syria, including purple-dye as well as wine, oil, and grain from
Caesarea.
Text
A) Quoniam ergo ex
parte praedictas civitates descripsimus et diximus ⟨†... , necessarium mihi videtur ut etiam
quidnam unaquaeque civitas proprium habet exponamus, ut qui legit certam eorum scientiam
habere possit. †⟩. In linteamina sunt hae: Scythopolis, Laodicia, Byblus, Tyrus, Berytus
quae linteamen omni orbi terrarum emittunt, et sunt eminentes in omni abundantia. Similiter
autem et Sarepta et Caesarea et Neapolis, quomodo et Lydda, purpuram
alithinam. Omnes autem praedictae civitates gloriosae et fructiferae in frumento, vino et
oleo; † hi et omnibus bonis abundant †: Nicolaum itaque palmulam in Palestinae regione, loco
qui sic vocatur Iericho, similiter et Damascenam et alteram palmulam minorem et psittacium
et omne genus pomorum habent.
B) Quoniam ergo ex parte supradictas descripsimus
civitates necessarium mihi uidetur ut etiam quidnam una quaeque civitas proprium habeat
exponamus, ut qui legit certam eorum scientiam habere possit. Scythopolis igitur, Laodicia,
Byblus, Tyrus, Berytus omni mundo linteamen emittunt. Sarepta vero,
Caesarea, Neapolis et Lydda purpuram praestant. Omnes autem
fructiferae vino et oleo et frumento; Nicolaum vero palmulam invenies abundare in Palestina
regione, in loco qui dicitur Hiericho; similiter et Damasco minores palmulas sed utiles et
pistacium et omne genus pomorum.
1
Textual Note
Ed. Rougé 1966Translation
A) Therefore, since we
have partially described the aforementioned cities and we have said ⟨... it seems to me
necessary to explain again what special product each one of them has, so that the reader can
have exact knowledge of them⟩. These cities (are known) for linen textiles: Scythopolis,
Laodicaea, Byblos, Tyre, and Beirut. They export linen all over the world, and they excel
all in productivity. So also Sarepta, Caesarea, and Neapolis as well
as Lydda (export) pure-deep purple. All (these cities) are also fruitful in wine, oil, and
grain. They also abound in all goods: so they have the Nicholaus date in the region of
Palestine, in a place called Jericho, as well as the Damascus (date), another smaller date,
pistachio, and every kind of fruit.
B) Therefore, since we have described the cities
mentioned above, it seems to me necessary to explain what special product each one of them
has, so that the reader can have exact knowledge of them. So Scythopolis, Laodicea, Byblos,
Tyre, and Beirut export linen to the whole world. But Sarepta,
Caesarea, Neapolis, and Lydda produce purple. All besides are
fruitful in wine, oil, and grain. In fact you will find that the Nicolaus date abounds in
the region of Palestine, in a place called Jericho, as well as dates smaller than the
Damascus (date) but useful, pistachio, and every kind of fruit.
Translation Note
Trans. J. L. Rife with reference to Rougé 1966Discussion Note
Latin alithina (A, B) transliterates Greek ἀληθινή. This adjective carries an industrial-commercial connotation in descriptions of porphyry dye that means pure, deep, and/or consistent in color, and it implies higher cost (Rougé 1966, p. 252 n. 10; and see under Related Texts).Works Cited
- 1 Unknown, Expositio totius mundi et gentium, ed. Jean. Rougé, Sources chrétiennes 124 (Paris: Éditions du Cerf, 1966), ch: 31.
How to Cite This Entry
Joseph L. Rife, “Unknown, Exhibit of the Whole World and its Peoples 31,” in Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, entry published June 30, 2023, https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/226.
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Bibliography:
Joseph L. Rife, “Unknown, Exhibit of the Whole World and its Peoples 31.” In Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, edited by Joseph L. Rife., edited by Joseph L. Rife. Caesarea City and Port Exploration Project, 2023. Entry published June 30, 2023. https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/226.About this Entry
Entry Title: Unknown, Exhibit of the Whole World and its Peoples 31
Authorial and Editorial Responsibility:
- Joseph L. Rife, general editor, Vanderbilt University
- Joseph L. Rife, editor, Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia
- David A. Michelson, Daniel L. Schwartz, and William L. Potter, technical editor, “Unknown, Exhibit of the Whole World and its Peoples 31”
- Joseph L. Rife, entry contributor, “Unknown, Exhibit of the Whole World and its Peoples 31”
Additional Credit:
- TEI encoding by William L. Potter
- Electronic text added by Joseph L. Rife
- Testimonia identified by Joseph L. Rife