[J4 THE VOYAGE OF PYTHEAS. [CHAP.
and of the phenomena which he described is one of too great
intricacy to be fully discussed in a notice like the present All
that can be attempted is to put the reader in possession of the
main points relating to it, and to state what seem to be the best
ascertained conclusions1.
The object with which Pytheas started on his voyage appears
to have been twofold. The j.ealousy which was felt
object of his by the traders of Massilia towards the Phoenicians,
Voyage. QQ account Of tkeir great predominance in the com-
merce in tin and amber from the coasts of Britain and Germany,
notwithstanding a certain amount of overland traffic through Gaul
which already existed9, probably impelled them to fit out a mari-
time expedition to explore those regions and extend their influence
there; and the command of this they entrusted to Pytheas. This
view of the public character of the expedition is not, it is true,
supported by any direct evidence; and it may not be safe to
attribute much weight, as an argument in its favour, to the state-
ment of Pytheas' habitual detractor Polybius, that he was in poor
circumstances, and therefore could not have undertaken it in a
private capacity8. But, to say the least, it was most probable that
such a voyage should have been made under government auspices;
and the motive for it was ready to hand, when we find that the
people of Massilia knew that tin came from countries in the far
north, for they would naturally desire to find the way thither
themselves. For his own part, as an eager scientific enquirer, he
seized the opportunity of visiting the lands and seas to the west of
Europe, as being a field which might afford a rich harvest to the
explorer. Of the attainments of Pytheas in science
there can be no question. He was a good astrono-
mer, according to the standard of his age, as was
shewn by his determining by means of the gnomon the latitude
1 The chief authorities on Pytheas whom I have consulted are Miillenhoff,
Deutsche Ahertumskunde, vol. i, Elton, Origins of English History, and
Berger, Geschichtt der Erdkunde, Pt. 3: the passages in ancient writers
which bear on the subject have been conveniently brought together by
Mr. Elton in Appendix I. to his work, pp. 400 foil.
* v. supra, p. 31.
* Polyb. ap. Strabon. 2.4. a.