In point of fact, there were several discoveries of America before 1492. And a serious error is committed, if one thinks that it was Christopher Columbus who first labelled the natives of America as “Indians” (in Spanish: Indios). For the latter had already been so named by the Romans in 62 BC. Furthermore, Columbus was not the first to claim that one may arrive in India by sailing westerly from Iberia (=Spain). Aristotle (364-322 BC), the great philosopher, had written that it would be feasible to do so because “it is the sea that separates the Indian subcontinent from the Iberian Peninsula”. However, the one who clearly knew that we could arrive in India by sailing from Spain to the West was Strabo(58 BC-25[?] AD), the famous geographer of the Graeco-Roman world, who actually knew that our planet Earth is spherical. Nonetheless, it was Plato who, centuries before Strabo, had bequeathed us a picture of the earth which re-minds one of a photograph taken from a satellite. Moreover, according to Heraclitus (1st century AD), who was a renowned commentator of Homer, the ancients were aware that the earth's surface was divided into five climate zones.he crucial question, therefore, arises: was America known by the ancient Greeks and Romans? The answer can only be affirmative: yes, they knew of her existence. For as early as the High Antiquity there was talk of an “awful country” located in the “far west”; a country bordered by the “infertile and dark sea”; of “dark, moist and cold lands” that “one had to toil a whole year to cross” (from one end to the other). These places were agitated by “continuous storms”, “monstrous cyclones” (i.e. hurricanes) that "scared even the gods”…
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE
ODYSSEUS, HOMER AND THE SACK OF TROY
CHAPTER TWO
THE VESSELS OF ODYSSEUS
CHAPTER THREE
MEDITERRANEAN TRIPS
CHAPTER FOUR
OCEANIC ADVENTURES
CHAPTER FIVE
BACK TO THE STREPITUS MUNDI
AS AN EPILOGUE:
THE CONCLUSIONS
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to explore and substantiate the hypothesis that ancient Greeks possessed knowledge of the Atlantic Ocean and the American continent long before the officially recognized discovery of 1492, utilizing Homeric epics and linguistic etymologies as core analytical tools.
- Analysis of geographical and historical references in the Odyssey as evidence of trans-Atlantic travel.
- Examination of the etymological links between ancient Greek terms, Semitic languages, and indigenous American toponyms.
- Evaluation of historical testimonies regarding ancient knowledge of spherical earth and climate zones.
- Investigation into the survival of ancient geographical knowledge through myths and traditional narratives.
Excerpt from the Book
ODYSSEUS, HOMER AND THE SACK OF TROY
Odysseus was considered to be the king of Ithaca,1 an island in the Ionian Sea. For on that island was his habitation, i.e. his palace to be found;2 as a result, he was ‘conventionally’ known as Ithaca’s sovereign. His subjects, nonetheless, were “Cefalonians”.3 It is, therefore, necessary to clarify the terms “Ithaca”, “Cefalonia”, and “Cefalonians”. The latter were Achaeans4 and lived on the Ionian Islands of Ithaca, Cephalonia, Zakynthos (Zante in Italian and French), and Doulichion, as well as in the western part of the Greek mainland,5 which was a part of Epirus by then.6 Regarding Ithaca and Zakynthos the “wooded”,7 there is no doubt that they identify with their modern-day namesakes.
To begin with, Ithaca was described by Homer as it is today: an island which is “discerned from afar”8 by sailors and is so “rocky”9 that one can raise only goats there.10 Yet, Ithaca was “more beautiful” than other islands; and its dwellers used to breed horses.11 Such a description corresponds with the image of Ithaca during the modern and contemporary eras.12 Moreover, the town of Odysseus, according to Homer's description, was built “between two seas”,13 which led Heinrich Schliemann to think it was in the locality called Aëtos (Ἀετὸς [=Eagle]) today.14 Anyway, the town of Odysseus, i.e the capital of his realm, had two ports (like Carthage15), and this was considered a key advantage by the sailors and traders of Antiquity.16 In short, the island of Ithaca was supposedly a strategic point regarding the trade and, in general, the communication between Italy and Greece.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Discusses the historical misconceptions surrounding the discovery of America and establishes the theoretical framework regarding ancient knowledge of geography and planetary sphericity.
CHAPTER ONE: Examines the figure of Odysseus, the Homeric poems, and the political and institutional realities of the Achaean world during the Trojan War.
CHAPTER TWO: Details the maritime capabilities of the Homeric era, focusing on the construction and usage of vessels like the penteconter.
CHAPTER THREE: Analyzes the Mediterranean journeys of Odysseus, including his encounters with the Cicones, the Lotus Eaters, and the Cyclopes.
CHAPTER FOUR: Explores the oceanic dimensions of the Odyssey, arguing that the narrative reflects genuine knowledge of the Atlantic and even the Americas.
CHAPTER FIVE: Reviews the broader context of ancient exploration, comparing the voyage of the Argonauts to that of Odysseus.
AS AN EPILOGUE: THE CONCLUSIONS: Synthesizes the historical arguments, asserting that ancient Greek myths reflect early transatlantic contacts and advanced geographical awareness.
Keywords
Odysseus, Homer, Atlantic Ocean, America, Ancient Greece, navigation, Phaeacians, etymology, Argonauts, transatlantic exploration, geography, maritime history, classical studies, mythology, prehistory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core premise of this work?
The work argues that ancient Greeks, through their maritime endeavors, possessed knowledge of the Atlantic Ocean and the American continent, which is reflected in Homeric epics.
What are the central thematic fields?
The themes include ancient geography, maritime technology, etymological linguistics, comparative mythology, and the historical interpretation of Greek epic poetry.
What is the primary research question?
It seeks to determine whether the travels described in the Odyssey and the Argonautica represent real historical journeys to the Atlantic and beyond, rather than purely fictional narratives.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author utilizes historical analysis, etymological and linguistic research, and the interpretation of classical texts in the context of archaeological and geographical records.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the structure of Homeric society, the construction of ancient ships, specific navigational routes through the Atlantic, and the parallels between ancient Greek terms and indigenous American languages.
Which keywords define this publication?
The key concepts include transatlantic contact, Homeric geography, ancient navigation, Mediterranean history, and the etymological origins of place names.
How is the location of the Cyclopes interpreted?
The work suggests that traditional placement in Sicily is likely a secondary, later misinterpretation, and that descriptions in the Odyssey point to a more northern or mountainous region.
What is the significance of the "cap of Odysseus"?
The author highlights the recurring depiction of Odysseus wearing a cap as an anomaly in Greek iconography, suggesting it may point toward non-Greek or exotic influences, possibly related to his travels.
How does the book connect the Andes to ancient Greek knowledge?
It highlights similarities in linguistic terms (e.g., "teo" and "theos") and cultural practices between the Inca/Aztec civilizations and the ancient Mediterranean world.
- Citation du texte
- Dimitris Michalopoulos (Auteur), 2026, The Atlantic Ocean, America and the Ancient Greeks, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1711721
