Texts of Greek and Latin Authors on the Far East
From the 4th C. B.C.E. to the 14th C. C.E.
Abstract
This volume comprises a unique collection of Greek and Latin texts containing references to the Far East. Compiled by George Coedès (1886-1969) and published by him in 1910, these well-selected writings have waited until now for an English translation. The texts range from ‘Ctesias’ in the Fourth Century BCE to Byzantine writers of the 14th Century CE like Nicephorus Gregoras. There are allusions in literary works, both prose and verse, as well as extracts from geographers and historians, some tangential, others giving in-depth descriptions. Even when these are based on second or third hand information they are the basis for any study of the Far East seen through Western eyes. Coedès collected his information very thoroughly and his presentation of the material betokens a sound grasp of all the highly diverse though related literature. The Greek and Latin texts in this volume have been translated direct from the original languages by John Sheldon with an introductory essay by Sam Lieu as well as a translation by Greg Fox of the original preface and introduction by George Coedès.
