Visual and Textual in Ancient Geography: Unexpected Correspondences between Strabo’s and Ptolemy’s Information about the Northern Black Sea Region

Abstract. The article examines previously unnoticed parallels between the accounts of Strabo and Ptolemy regarding the Crimean Peninsula and neighboring regions. The following parallels are discussed: (1) the similarity between the outlines of the Crimean Peninsula and the Peloponnese, (2) the list of points considered as the “northernmost coastal regions” of the Black Sea, (3) the location of the mysterious “famous city” of
Tamyraka mentioned by Ptolemy, (4) Parthenion and Myrmekion as points situated at the narrowest part of the Kerch Strait and on the junction with the Azov Sea, and (5) the arrangement of settlements along the coast of the Heracles Peninsula. The correspondences between these accounts by Strabo and Ptolemy are so remarkable as to suggest, at least, a common source.

Keywords: Strabo, Ptolemy, Pliny, Ancient Geography, Ancient Cartography, Tamyrake, Chersonesus, Myrmekion, Parthenion.