Podcast Summary: The Great Books Podcast - Episode 351: 'Geography' by Strabo

Host: John J. Miller, National Review
Guest: Sarah Pothecary, Translator of Strabo's Geography
Release Date: December 3, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 351 of The Great Books Podcast, hosted by John J. Miller of National Review, the focus is on Geography by Strabo—a seminal work within the Western literary canon. Joining Miller is Sarah Pothecary, the translator of a new edition of Strabo's Geography published by Princeton University Press. Sarah brings her expertise as an independent scholar educated at the University of Oxford and the University of Toronto, and she serves as the co-editor of Strabo's Cultural Geography. The conversation delves deep into the intricacies of Strabo's work, its historical significance, and the modern-day relevance of ancient geographical studies.

Why Geography by Strabo is a Great Book

John J. Miller [00:55]: "Why is Geography by Strabo a great book?"

Sarah Pothecary [00:55]: "Geography by Strabo is a great book because it describes the whole world. So that's a really broad canvas, and it leads to a work of rich diversity, reflecting the world's story, past and its lively present, with the added twist that the geography was written 2000 years ago in the early days of the Roman Empire."

Sarah emphasizes the expansive scope of Strabo's work, noting its comprehensive portrayal of the known world during the Roman Empire's nascent stages. She highlights the enduring relevance of Strabo's observations, which bridge the ancient and modern worlds, offering readers an extra dimension of understanding.

Misconceptions About Ancient Geography

John J. Miller [04:23]: "This was one of the surprises for me as a reader. I just assumed that the Greeks thought the world was flat. Why do we have this common misconception about the ancient world and what the people in it knew?"

Sarah Pothecary [04:35]: "I think it's all part of this idea that we are more bright and more intelligent than anybody else in the past. And so therefore, people in the past must have had these wrong ideas... reading the ancient classics... is to sort of correct that misconception."

Sarah addresses the prevalent myth that ancient Greeks believed in a flat Earth, clarifying that they understood the Earth to be roughly spherical. She attributes the misconception to modern preconceptions of superior intelligence, emphasizing the importance of revisiting ancient texts to rectify these misunderstandings.

Strabo's Definition of the 'World'

Sarah Pothecary [02:16]: "Geographica, I guess, is the Greek version of it. We call it Geography... what Strabo means by Geographica is a description of the world. But it's ambiguous—the world can mean the spherical Earth or the limited area known to Greeks and Romans."

Sarah delves into the etymology of "Geographica," explaining its dual meaning in ancient Greek. She elucidates how Strabo's work navigates between describing the entire spherical Earth and focusing on the familiar regions inhabited by Greeks and Romans.

Strabo as Homer’s First Geographer

John J. Miller [07:51]: "He also calls in this opening section, he calls Homer the first geographer... why does he put Homer at the start or even at the center of things?"

Sarah Pothecary [08:05]: "I think it's because Homer does talk about lots of places... The Greeks wanted to know where Pylos was in mainland Greece because things had changed by their days."

Sarah explains Strabo's rationale for positioning Homer as the inaugural geographer, attributing it to Homer's extensive references to various locales. She notes that Homer inspired Greeks to seek knowledge about the real-world locations mentioned in his epic tales, bridging literature and geographical inquiry.

The 'Lived In World' Concept

John J. Miller [09:42]: "Strabo says... he introduces this idea of the lived in world. What does he mean by the lived in world?"

Sarah Pothecary [10:12]: "'Lived in world'... stretches eastwards from Iberia to modern-day Bangladesh, northwards to Britain and Ireland, and southwards to regions like Western Sahara and Ethiopia. For Strabo, this encompasses one half of the Northern Hemisphere."

Sarah introduces the concept of the "lived in world," as defined by Strabo. She maps out the geographical boundaries of this inhabited area, highlighting Strabo's limitations based on contemporary knowledge and climatic assumptions, such as the impossibility of habitation in the extreme north and south.

Anecdotes and Descriptions of Nations

John J. Miller [14:49]: "It's even occasionally amusing... When he gets to Britain... he describes them as tall and gangly... in Ireland, more savage, cannibals..."

Sarah Pothecary [15:18]: "Strabo describes the Brits as tall and gangly, crippled and deformed... but he has seen nothing from Ireland. He admits that the tales he tells are just hearsay."

Sarah discusses Strabo's often entertaining and sometimes exaggerated descriptions of various peoples, such as the British and Irish. She points out that while Strabo had firsthand observations about certain regions, other accounts were based on secondhand information, reflecting the mix of accuracy and myth in ancient geographical narratives.

Crucifixion and the Cantabrians

John J. Miller [23:00]: "Strabo describes a writer in Turkey who's crucified... Is he detecting any kind of Christian Christianity at all?"

Sarah Pothecary [24:15]: "I don't think so. The Cantabrians were crucified by the Romans... Strabo gives a brilliant depiction of their bravery... their women have significant independence, which he criticizes as gynecocracy."

Sarah clarifies that Strabo's references to crucifixion pertain to Roman practices rather than Christian ones, given the historical timeline. She elaborates on Strabo's portrayal of the Cantabrians, highlighting their valor in resistance and societal structures that challenged Roman norms, particularly regarding women's roles.

Challenges in Translating Strabo

John J. Miller [29:51]: "What are the challenges of translating a work like this?"

Sarah Pothecary [30:14]: "The ancient Greek Strabo wrote is easier to translate into modern English than earlier works. However, challenges include navigating ancient place names and units of measurement like the stade."

Sarah outlines the complexities of translating Strabo's Geography, noting that while the language isn't as archaic as some predecessors, accurately conveying ancient place names and measurements requires meticulous attention. She discusses the absence of visual aids like maps in Strabo's original work, which demands readers to rely heavily on textual descriptions.

Sarah Pothecary's New Edition

John J. Miller [26:47]: "Describe for us what's in this edition and why did you want to translate this big work?"

Sarah Pothecary [27:10]: "I wanted to make Strabo accessible by providing modern place names and notes that map ancient locations to their contemporary counterparts. This helps readers relate Strabo's descriptions to today's geography."

Sarah shares her motivation behind translating Strabo's expansive Geography, emphasizing the necessity of bridging ancient and modern geographical references. She explains her approach of annotating the text with modern place names, thereby enhancing readability and comprehension for contemporary audiences.

Project Scope and Duration

John J. Miller [32:55]: "Did you have any idea what you were getting yourself into when you started and how long did it take to produce this new edition?"

Sarah Pothecary [33:05]: "It took about 20 years... Aligning ancient place names with modern locations was time-consuming and a typesetting challenge, but the end result makes Strabo much more accessible."

Sarah candidly discusses the ambitious nature of her translation project, highlighting the extensive time investment required to meticulously map ancient terms to their modern equivalents. She acknowledges the logistical hurdles, such as typesetting complexities, but underscores the educational value her edition offers.

Why Read Strabo Today?

John J. Miller [34:55]: "What's the case for reading it now? Is it just a historical curiosity, or is there a reason to study it and learn from it today?"

Sarah Pothecary [34:55]: "It provides a valuable example of how scientific theories arise and showcases human thought processes. Studying Strabo helps us understand the evolution of geographical knowledge and scientific reasoning."

Sarah articulates the contemporary relevance of Strabo's Geography, positing that it serves as a case study in the development of scientific theory and methodological thinking. She draws parallels between ancient geographical exploration and modern scientific inquiries, suggesting that Strabo's work offers insights into the foundational processes of knowledge acquisition.

Conclusion

In this enlightening episode, Sarah Pothecary sheds light on Strabo's Geography, unraveling its historical significance and the meticulous effort required to make such an extensive ancient text accessible to today's readers. The discussion not only underscores the intellectual richness of Strabo's work but also emphasizes the enduring importance of studying classical texts to comprehend the evolution of human knowledge and scientific thought.

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Pothecary [00:55]: "Geography by Strabo is a great book because it describes the whole world."

• Sarah Pothecary [04:35]: "One of the reasons why we should read the ancient classics is to sort of correct that misconception."

• Sarah Pothecary [10:12]: "Strabo is trying to make sense of the world around him, doesn't always get it right."

• Sarah Pothecary [24:15]: "Strabo gives a brilliant depiction of their bravery."

• Sarah Pothecary [34:55]: "Studying Strabo helps us understand the evolution of geographical knowledge and scientific reasoning."

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Episode 351 of The Great Books Podcast, offering insights into Strabo's Geography, the translation process, and the work's lasting impact on both ancient and modern geographical studies.