Ancient Greeks in the Arctic - The Voyage of Pytheas DOCUMENTARY

Documentary on the Greek expedition to the Arctic. Thanks to Scopely for sponsoring this video - Download Star Trek Fleet Command on iOS & Android and battle in the Star Trek universe here: pixly.go2cloud.org/SH3Nj
In antiquity, very little was known of the distant north. Most of what trickled down into the Mediterranean world were various trade goods and rumors carried by merchants. However the prospects of what lay beyond soon attracted explorers to seek out the riches of the mysterious beyond. Himilco of Carthage was among the first to launch an Phoenician expedition into the Atlantic which may have reached as far as Brittany. Yet around 320 BC Pytheas of Massalia would launch his own Greek expedition which would penetrate as far as the Arctic.
In this history documentary we bring to life his journey as it made its way from the warm shores of the Mediterranean to the frigid depths of the Congealed Sea and beyond!
Related videos:
Romans in Africa • Romans in the Heart of...
Carthaginian Exploration • How Carthage Explored ...
Sources and Suggested Reading:
"The Extraordinary Voyage of Pytheas the Greek" by Barry Cunliffe
“Geography” by Strabo
“The Natural History” by Pliny the Elder
“Histories” by Herodotus
Credits:
Research = Invicta
Writing = Invicta
Narration = Invicta
Artwork = Gabriel Cassata
#history
#documentary
#explore

[@InvictaHistory]

What other ancient expeditions should we cover? Download Star Trek Fleet Command on iOS & Android and battle in the Star Trek universe here: pixly.go2cloud.org/SH3Nj

[@fjk1728]

the arctic belongs to my country chile, not to the rats of the united states or other shitty european countries

[@wiseide2559]

what about the expedition of Cambyses II?

[@foolsfolly3476]

Please cover Massilia🙏

[@SheaRoberts]

Read a book a few years ago about China's expeditions to Mexico.

[@NickDanger0001]

There are Persian carvings that suggest someone was in touch with Central Africa--pygmies and a few other items.

[@daveanderson3805]

I never heard of those northern voyages by the Greeks. Interesting. It must have been some feat of seamanship to navigate the northern waters, being accustomed to the sunny Mediterranean

[@InvictaHistory]

Especially when you consider these ships often had to be docked for the crew to rest, forage, and eat. I can't imagine what that was like in the depths of the unknown north.

[@bonefetcherbrimley7740]

@@InvictaHistory Good video, it was rad. Have a dr. Pepper, you guys deserve it.

[@couchpotatoe91]

Yeah,we're talking about a time where the coasts of the black sea that seem to close to us were the rumours of all sorts of mysteries and wonders. I mean, at least the Greek mathematicians knew how big the world really was. It must've still been mind-boggling to them. Oh, to live in a time where you could actually explore unknown territories with just a ship.

[@clarkwinters1770]

I think i read in polybius or livy or diodorus i cant remember the carthaginians had sailed west and found a continent there, they have found traces of tobbacco and cocaine in egyptian mummies i know

[@kaiza9184]

@@clarkwinters1770 Cocaine 😳😳

[@keatonsmith5669]

It's crazy that this happened right after Alexander's death. The known world got so big so fast.

[@PyrusFlameborn]

Alexander: I conquered the world! Pytheas: turns out you missed a couple spots

[@supermavro6072]

Should be part of the next game of thrones sequel

[@SHISH_STYLE]

Actually it's crazy that the Alexander era was the few decades of where most of the important Greek events and culture happened

[@pots_83]

@@SHISH_STYLE well...not quite...the Greek golden age preceded Alexander the Great...most of the well known Greek achievements happened between 500BCE-400BCE

[@gelisgeo1309]

No they know this part of word much centuries before. (Herodotus perhaps) But there wasnt high civilization or for them or enemies

[@TheZapan99]

The statues of the explorers Pytheas and Euthymenes are still displayed on the Palais de la Bourse in Marseille today, as they are considered heroes of the city.

[@NIKOS_GEROSIDERIS]

Respect💪🏻.

[@southface6684]

Greeks build the city and many others in the area like Nice Monaco Cannes

[@thomassghedoni4557]

@@southface6684 Not Cannes, as it is a pretty recent offshout of the Lerins church, but definitly Antibes which is very close by.

[@mithrandirthegrey7644]

The Ancient Greeks were truly a spectacular people. Their feats of science, engineering and adventure are on another level.

[@supermavro6072]

He is narrating Historical fiction bud

[@manolisteletos8274]

@@supermavro6072 Don't hallucinate dude. It's not fiction.

[@supermavro6072]

@@manolisteletos8274 That sound like low-key acid trip. Have you read the full document ?

[@manolisteletos8274]

@@supermavro6072 hahahaha. No but I am looking forward to do.

[@supermavro6072]

@@user-Prometheus They lie a lot

[@timb8970]

What an incredible group of people the ancient Greeks were. For such a small region to be so influential in the development of humankind is mind blowing. What made them so intelligent and adventurous?

[@Jeyeyeyey]

*mankind

[@user-pm6rz8gh4t]

The sun and the sea..

[@jacinda6342]

If they are so intelligent, why is the earth destroyed?

[@qaiser648]

dumb comment

[@the_SolLoser]

@@jacinda6342 But I live here...! 😱🤣

[@MoritzvonSchweinitz]

I think it is almost criminal that so many people, including me, have never heard of Pytheas before! What an incredible journey!

[@augustwolf_2256]

Pytheas > Columbus.

[@rogueascendant6611]

Plenty of ancient discoverers have their legacy and stories overshadowed those in the Age of Discovery and Columbus. Western propaganda case at point.

[@augustwolf_2256]

@@rogueascendant6611 agreed. also, pytheas and his contemporaries actually took scientific and cartographical notes about their findings on the lands and people he met on his voyage; meanwhile Columbus couldn't even figure out that he wasn't in China.

[@rogueascendant6611]

@@augustwolf_2256 Meanwhile, Columbus was never a pioneer in discovery. He's an opportunistic that desire wealth and fame. When he came shore in the Bahamas, what did he do? He came and enslaved the islanders instead forgoing trade and knowledge to acquired.

[@augustwolf_2256]

@@rogueascendant6611 I agree 100%. that genocidal fraud's ''discovery'' of the America's also overshadows the legacy of indigenous explorers too. there's a really cool video that I watched a while ago about a Native American explorer, who's exploits were later written down by French fur traders. ​ kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWXZiWR-n5yaj6c.

[@ross7154]

Quick correction, Massalia (modern day Marseilles) would be on the southern mouth of the Rhone, not the Rhine. The Rhine flows north into the North Sea. Great video though and honestly something I'd never heard of before.

[@elbentos7803]

To be strictly accurate, Massalia hasn't directly been established on the Rhone's banks but a few dozen kilometers south-east of the river's mouth, in a rocky creek (a "calanque").

[@atzuras]

Greeks: traveled to hyperboria and saw the giants and the mermaids Romans: lost 300 ships on the english channel because of "bad winds" Or maybe bad sailorship.

[@MonTube2006]

Easier to manage 1 ship than 300 ones

[@robertbodell55]

Well the Romans were the genius sailors who sunk three of their own fleets by sailing them straight into storms in the first punic war

[@supermavro6072]

Greeks also travelled to the edge of the universe and named every single celestial object we know today.

[@wankawanka3053]

@@supermavro6072 cope hard

[@-carthage7779]

Carthaginians: reached the bay of west Africa in the south and England in the north . And even some carthaginian writings were found in brazil

[@NovaSeven]

For those who are interested, read Barry Cunliffe’s book “The Extraordinary Voyage of Pytheas the Greek,” which does a great job of reconstructing his journey and salvaging “On the Ocean” from the scattered fragments quoted by later authors.

[@supermavro6072]

May be consider reading the prince of Mars. It's story of ancient Greek warrior who become the prince mars.

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

@@supermavro6072 Greek? I thought John Carter was an American in that story. Anyway good to see a fellow Prince of Mars fan.

[@supermavro6072]

@@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886 You can give any nationality to Mythical person in Mythical story.

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

@@supermavro6072 Are we talking about the same character that is John Carter of Mars or are you referring to some other story? Yeah he is fictional ofcourse.

[@supermavro6072]

@@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886 I mean, most of Greek stories are basically fictional. Including story of this Pytheas the greek mentioned by OP above.

[@sindere]

Being from Norway, it sound a lot like Thule would be along the western parts of the country. We know that at least since the iron age, foraging honey for instance has been important. It also matches well with the mention of large storehouses and the specific mention of the rains. Pytheas mentioned barbarians and Iceland wasn't really populated until 800-900 years later (as far as I know). Also, if he traveled further north, he would want to hug a shoreline as he did most of the voyage, the northern seas can be extremely treacherous, even during summer. This is only speculation of course :D

[@sindere]

Another interesting thing is that while converting maps made by Claudius Ptolemy into modern ones, scientist at the Technical University of Berlin discovered that Thule corresponded with the island of Smøla in Norway

[@bjrntorgrimsson9821]

It could be Norway but i believe it's much further north than Smøla. I think Pytheas must have gone further north in order to know about the 6 months of darkness. Especially considering he met ice in the ocean

[@dv7533]

considering the ocean currents and prevailing winds I also find Norway the most likely option for Thule. Those Greek ships were not suited for sailing into winds and currents much and required rowing to do so. More likely they used the sails and ended up further east than they figured and got to the western coast of Norway.

[@ebrim5013]

Yep, we should assume that they would follow the local sea communication routes. So Norway makes most sense to me too.

[@otgiggs]

Yeah, when he mentioned the rains it could only mean western Norway! Lol!

[@marcello7781]

I remember learning about this unusual voyage many years ago, watching an old French animated series called "Once Upon A Time... The Explorers".

[@InvictaHistory]

I'm amazed I never heard about his journey or the other ancient explorers in school. Its truly incredible how far they went using such "primitive" gear

[@jamieedwards6721]

I thought you was going to say Yvon of the Yukon then, but no I know the series you talk of and it is a shame they do not make thought provoking children's TV anymore.

[@marcello7781]

@@InvictaHistory Indeed it is fascinating, and many thanks for the video! It unlocked me so many memories.

[@marcello7781]

@@jamieedwards6721 I have vague memories of Yvon of the Yukon but I remember crystal clear all those Albert Barillé series, they were broadcasted almost every year in Italy, especially the one regarding the human body.

[@LocalHeretic-ck1kd]

Yeah, I remember watching "Once Upon A Time... The Explorers" as a kid. I learned a lot from that series.

[@TheZapan99]

3:40 Small mistake: it's the Rhône that flows near Marseille, not the Rhine.

[@marvingardens]

They really had no business giving two of the most important rivers in Western Europe almost identical names

[@MerkhVision]

@@marvingardens seriously haha I was just thinking this. They really tryna stress out us geography nerds lol

[@Kaiyanwang82]

@@marvingardens It also depends on the language. In Italian is Rodano (Rhône) and Reno (Rhine), so it's more difficult to mix them up.

[@salazarway]

Incredible how Southern Europeans reached a Civil level and deeds that no one in the world could achieve until today. Developers, creators and defenders of Europe.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

Given the evidence of the trip(Like the fact he described the north fairly well.) I can't believe this is talked about more! As this was my first time hearing about the journey.

[@MonTube2006]

Here's an advice : don't wait for the knowledge to come to you, seek it by yourself

[@orionriftclan2727]

I'll tell you why in a few word: Roman

[@zenleek2129]

@@MonTube2006 Knowledge always comes to us. The best we can do is be in the right place and state of mind to receive it. Like watching this video

[@nevyanplamenov5409]

@@orionriftclan2727 Uhm.. no, Romans actually were interested in such accounts and preserved them

[@MonTube2006]

@@zenleek2129 Knowledge doesn't always come to us. That statement is just false. Human beeings can investigate on their own account. Of course you've got to be receptive to be able to consider/assess different notions. I agree with that part of your comment

[@Crytica.]

If only we could find a real copy of "On the Oceans" somewhere... What a fascinating account that would be. Thanks for this wonderful video! I did not know of this expedition and it's really something that makes you baffle at how much the ancient mediterranean people have explored.

[@ecurewitz]

That would be a great find

[@supermavro6072]

Ancient "Greek" is a mythology, you just have to imagine it to believe it. There is no real copy of anything.

[@hoplite723]

Unfortunately I think it was probably destroyed with many other record's in the destruction of the library of Alexandria

[@augustwolf_2256]

I admit I still hold out some hope for the possibility of that a full/virtually complete copy will one day being discovered. Perhaps sealed in a hidden compartment/box under the Ruins of Alexandria or in some dusty forgotten corner of the Vatican library. I know the chances of it are small, but it's nice to think there might still be a lost copy out there somewhere, waiting to be rediscovered. 🤞

[@wankawanka3053]

@@supermavro6072 damn Albanian you really should stop coping so badly 😏

[@Frenchylikeshikes]

Never heard of that type of voyage by the ancient Greeks, but come to think of it, it makes perfect sense, they were amazing sailors. I'm certain older people knew of the World way more than what we credit them for.

[@alejandrosakai1744]

I think that you should cover the Greek Colonies which were beyond Greece, Italy, and Sicily, for example, Massalia in France or Emporion in Spain!

[@supermavro6072]

What about Greek colonies in Australia, Mongolia and Ecuador ?

[@haksrax39]

@@supermavro6072 What?

[@alejandrosakai1744]

@@supermavro6072 Ancient Greeks, not Modern Greeks!

[@TaercEum]

@@supermavro6072 🤣🤣🤣

[@ApaleutosMits]

@@supermavro6072 Nice idea,in Australia there is a big Greek community but it is in 19th and 20th century history,for Mongolia not so much but you can look for the central Asia the hellenistic or indo-greek kingdoms or the byzantine expeditions to China,for Ecuador and America in general also will be very interesting,conquistadores griegos may not found Greek colonies in Americas since they were in service of the Spanish Empire but it is very interesting to see the exploring spirit of the Greeks.

[@uningenieromas]

The world was unknown, and far away lands were seen as mystical, strange and magical. What a voyage!

[@johnssmith4005]

Now nothing is fascinating anymore since you can travel everywhere using the internet but imagine seeing things that nobody in your country knew about , I bet that was mind blowing

[@ancientsitesgirl]

In the footsteps of Apollo to Hyperborea! A fascinating topic!😮

[@samwill7259]

Talk about a climate shock, going from the gorgeous, perfectly warm and temperate coasts of Greece to lands of auroras and ice sheets as far as the eye can see. I'd think I'd sailed into hell from that point of view.

[@InvictaHistory]

I can only imagine the terror they had of what might be lurking beneath the waves of these distant seas!

[@Boric78]

That is before they had sat down to have dinner with their trade partners / natives. British and Scandy culinary skills are still legendary (bad) today - imagine two thousand years ago before ketchup and microwaves: "Just what is this exactly." 1 minute later.................................. "I really wished I had not have asked."

[@MonTube2006]

They set sail from southern Gaul, not Greece

[@nevyanplamenov5409]

@@Boric78 I would take whatever those barbarians offer any day over a black pudding or jelly eels...

[@MerkhVision]

@@MonTube2006 that’s true, but it’s still on the Mediterranean so their point about what it was like still stands

[@Elkatraz]

It's very interesting to hear of such a grand voyage made by a Greek. As a Swede, I've always been interested to hear what the ancients had to say about the northern lands but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much written about this.

[@mattkennedy5374]

"Fuck it's cold up here." is probably one of the most common threads lol I'd love to read his accounts of all the differing cultures though, seeing how much difference there is between one tribe here and the next one 200 miles down the coast would be fascinating

[@truthspokeneternally7132]

There is a section (No 26) in Plutarch's book "Περὶ τοῦ ἐμφαινομένου προσώπου τῷ κύκλῳ τῆς Σελήνης" a.k.a. "De facie quae in orbe lunae apparet", where the immemorial existence of Greek settlements in Newfoundland, Canada, as well as in Norway, is described. Here it is: [A]n isle, Ogygia, lies far out at sea, a run of five days off from Britain as you sail westward; and three other islands equally distant from it and from one another lie out from it in the general direction of the summer sunset. [*The three islands mentioned here are Greenland, Baffin Island and Newfoundland*] In one of these, according to the tale told by the natives, Cronus is confined by Zeus, and the antique , holding watch and ward over those islands and the sea that they call the Cronian main, has been settled close beside him. The great mainland, by which the great ocean is encircled, while not so far from the other islands, is about five thousand stades from Ogygia, the voyage being made by oar, for the main is slow to traverse and muddy as a result of the multitude of streams. The streams are discharged by the great land-mass and produce alluvial deposits, thus giving density and earthiness to the sea, which has been thought actually to be congealed. On the coast of the mainland Greeks dwell about a gulf which is not smaller than the Maeotis and the mouth of which lies roughly on the same parallel as the mouth of the Caspian sea. [*The gulf mentioned here is the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec, Canada.*] These people consider and call themselves continentals inhabitants of this land because the sea flows around it on all sides; and they believe that with the peoples of Cronus there mingled at a later time those who arrived in the train of Heracles and were left behind by him and that these latter so to speak rekindled again to a strong, high flame the Hellenic spark there which was already being quenched and overcome by the tongue, the laws, and the manners of the barbarians. Therefore Heracles has the highest honours and Cronus the second. Now when at intervals of thirty years the star of Cronus, which we call ‘Splendent’ but they, our author said, call ‘Nightwatchman,’ enters the sign of the Bull, they, having spent a long time in preparation for the sacrifice and the , choose by lot and send forth in a correspondingly sufficient number of ships, putting aboard a large retinue and the provisions necessary for men who are going to cross so much sea by oar and live such a long time in a foreign land. Now when they have put to sea the several voyagers meet with various fortunes as one might expect; but those who survive the voyage first put in at the outlying islands, which are inhabited by Greeks, and see the sun pass out of sight for less than an hour over a period of thirty days, - and this is night, though it has a darkness that is slight and twilight glimmering from the west. [*The outlying islands mentioned here are the Vega Archipelago, Norway.*] There they spend ninety days regarded with honour and friendliness as holy men and so addressed, and then winds carry them across to their appointed goal. Nor do any others inhabit it but themselves and those who have been dispatched before them, for, while those who have served the god together for the stint of thirty years are allowed to sail off home, most of them usually choose to settle in the spot, some out of habit and others because without toil or trouble they have all things in abundance while they constantly employ their time in sacrifices and celebrations or with various discourse and philosophy, for the nature of the island is marvellous as is the softness of the circumambient air… Plutarch. Moralia. with an English Translation by. Harold Cherniss and William C. Helmbold. Cambridge, MA. Harvard University Press. London. William Heinemann Ltd. 1957.

[@odeytayem8902]

Check ibn fadlan

[@supermavro6072]

If you don't make stuff up there is no stuff

[@user-hl1ng7ps6c]

@@supermavro6072

[@edwarddavid7893]

Your video gave me chills. Imagine what Pytheas must have felt ...it would be akin to us exploring a different planet.

[@Eric-ng2ed]

the Romans had trouble even crossing the channel, the Spanish fleet sank here, and these Greeks achieved this; quite the feat, and luck!

[@wankawanka3053]

@@supermavro6072 yet the myths were right about those places listed i guess the greeks used google to learn about them🤣

[@supermavro6072]

@@wankawanka3053 Yeah, Greeks were using ancient Google Earth. They were also suffering from Ancient greek debt which was caused by malfunctioning of ancient Greek calculus machine

[@wankawanka3053]

@@supermavro6072 still more believable than the idea that Albanians are related to illyrians😉

[@alterego157]

Greeks single-handedly built the foundation for the entire world. That was just a vacation fun project for them.

[@keithharper32]

I find his reference to meeting a people called "Gutones" interesting, because that is very similar to what the Goths called themselves in their own language. Could be one of the earliest references to them, and mean he certainly got far into the Baltic as that was where they likely originated

[@chrissymoltisanti9624]

Do you think there is also a link between gutones/goths to the gutians who ruled sumer ?

[@samuelnovek5499]

It could also be a reference to the inhabitants of the island Gotland who are known as gotlänningar, which in the local tounge is Gutar. Heavily known for their trading capabilities in the Baltic Sea since the coin was invented basically lol Either how the video sure gives perspective on the interconnection of the ancient world. To think that this is but one story that had the fortune to be passed down in history, then the sheer amount of travellers tales that have faded away to nothing is mindboggling.

[@arzhvr9259]

@@chrissymoltisanti9624 no

[@mareksagrak9527]

​@@chrissymoltisanti9624 It is impossible not only because of the geographical location, but also because Goths didn't existed back than. It is like claiming that Cham Albanians and Chams (an Austronesian group living in Vietnamese) can be related just because of the resemblance of their names, LOL.

[@jayc3110]

That was a fascinating snippet of ancient Greek history. Thank you and best wishes.

[@supermavro6072]

You wanna know My-story or His-story

[@hattorihanzo9896]

@@supermavro6072 cope harder zero

[@supermavro6072]

@@hattorihanzo9896 Hope more, empty

[@augustwolf_2256]

Fantastic video. It's such a Shame that the full text of 'On the Ocean' has been lost. I've known about Pytheas since I was a child and have always been captivated by the stories of him and other ancient explorers. This Video has rekindled my interest in the topic, So thank you for reminding me about Pytheas's voyage.

[@Sp-zj5hw]

In Plato, we see accounts of the great western island beyond the Herculean Pillars(Gibraltar), which is bigger than the whole of Libya(name for Africa). Also do not forget that the Spaniards seemed familiar to the natives who had prophecies of their return.

[@arzhvr9259]

Atlantis is a myth that Plato literally doesn’t deny making up as a means of creating a moral parable.

[@shamsquatch9980]

So, it's unlikely that they made it to the Americas. It's an extremely long trip and perilous for ships that size. Also, if I remember correctly, the whole prophecy thing is a Spanish myth crafted to legitimize their takeover of the Aztecs.

[@Sp-zj5hw]

@@shamsquatch9980 There is also the Herculean labour, where he had to go to Esperia(Εσπερία=west, where the sun sets) and steal the golden apples. West, esperia, golden trees and fruits...does it sound familiar?

[@shamsquatch9980]

@@Sp-zj5hw Where did you find evidence of this myth? It seems it would be an easy find but Google has failed me there. However, I have found a number of articles discussing how the Mexica (Aztec) didn't actually believe that the Spaniards were gods. When using comparative myths as evidence, we have to be extremely careful where and when that evidence first appears. If your myth is real, when does it first appear in the record books? Who wrote it down? Because the Spanish systemically destroyed most Aztec, Toltec and Mayan writings and myths. To me, as an admittedly amateur historian, this myth you're presenting sounds more like a post- conquest rewrite of Quetzalcoatl meant to subjugate and pacify a terrified and hostile population that had just recently been conquered. But let's assume for a moment that your evidence here was written by Aztecs, and predates the colonization of Mexico by some time. The issue arises that mythologies are deeply intertwined with each other, and while comparative mythology is a dangerous subject to wade into, there are plenty of myths found around the world that share symbolism, stories, themes, etc. and are likely distant cousins to each other. The idea of Chaoskampf is practically universal, as is the black dog of death and other weird quirks of mythologies around the world. If there's a similar story in Aztec myth to Greek mythology about gathering apples (which again needs to be sourced and verified), then it's far more likely that it is an older mythology that was passed down from generation to generation and followed the indigenous peoples across Beringia rather than being brought over by the Greeks. That's all not to say the Greeks "never appeared" to the pre-Aztec Mesoamerican civilizations. But it's important to note that such a voyage in a Greek ship would have been far more treacherous than travelling in any Spanish ship, and the first Spanish voyage was spared of mutiny only because of the Americas appearance on the horizon. Considering Greek ships were slower, it's hard to imagine them reaching the Americas in one piece, let alone Mesoamerica. It is technically possible, but in order to say anything for sure you would need an overwhelming burden of proof suggesting that they pulled up, like a sunken trireme in the Gulf of Mexico with bodies that when DNA tested show most resemblance to the Greeks.

[@Sp-zj5hw]

@@shamsquatch9980 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labours_of_Hercules

[@MatthewChenault]

Based on the account, it’s most likely they reached Norway. The Faroe Islands and Iceland were uninhabited at the time and would require traveling in the opposite direction from known civilization (Norway). Also, the fact that agriculture was possible also indicates they sailed to Norway, which does have arable land down at the base of the Fjords. This was not the case for the Faroe Islands or Iceland, which have a far more difficult time with growing any sort of crops.

[@GothPaoki]

Once in a while little gems of videos like this appear on KZbin which make it stand apart from all the recycled historical videos. I had no clue they had gone this far and it's honestly mind boggling on many levels. That feeling of learning new things is really great. When i saw the title of the video i was like wtf is this??? Turned out to be a really unique story not often told.

[@emilianocaprili4160]

Having read "L'America dimenticata" (The forgotten America) of Lucio Russo and "L'Oceano degli Antichi" (the Ocean of the Old Ones) of Elio Cadelo, I'm not surprised about what Pytheas was able to do. I'm surprised about how much we still underrate the maritime abilities of the ancient people.

[@georgekosko5124]

What's your opinion on the Nordic people making it all the way to America and establishing a settlement there? I think it's pretty probable they made it

[@emilianocaprili4160]

@@georgekosko5124 Well the if the Viking were able to colonise the Greenland, why shouldn't they have been able to create a colony in Canada?

[@georgekosko5124]

@@emilianocaprili4160 Makes sense, too bad there isn't nearly enough mainstream coverage on the matter.

[@gs7256]

Greeks were triple pioneers in every aspect of life!!! And truly we owe them our eternal gratitude for all their achievements and accomplishments… Respect!!!

[@supermavro6072]

They owe you mountain amount of debt asweII

[@wankawanka3053]

@@supermavro6072 take some copium

[@supermavro6072]

@@wankawanka3053 that's unobtainium

[@johnathanwalker8395]

@@supermavro6072 debt is slave terminology, can't owe made up money to made up entities looking to carry on the aristocracy of old

[@gs7256]

Along with all the rest of countries in the world owing all money to 25 mayby families.. US owes trillions

[@terryhughes7349]

This is a stunning story that I had no idea occurred. Very well presented.

[@daddypoil]

Pytheas has always fascinated me, thank you so much !

[@fighterofthenightman1057]

I actually think it’s quite likely the ancients traveled a lot farther than we ever thought possible - IN isolated incidents. It would be fairly unlikely these people would make it back all the way home many times, and it’d be even more likely that these sources did not survive, if they were ever even written down.

[@tasos_plat]

The fact that public Greek schools don't teach this story is criminal. Congrats for the superb video!

[@wankawanka3053]

Greeks always found in the most random places ever

[@supermavro6072]

You fish tale story is morbidly fascinating for kids with infentiIe brain.

[@MrPolinikis]

@@supermavro6072 oh boy 😂 jealous Albanian alert 🚨 😂

[@BoogieBubble]

@@supermavro6072 You are mistaking Greeks with your pseudo Illyrian nation that thinks that invented the whole galaxy we live in. I guess jealously, lost wars and many years under totalitarian brainwashing regime can do to that to uneducated brainless neanderthals.

[@supermavro6072]

​@@BoogieBubble May be it makes more sense than a recent fabricated nation making fabricated tales claiming they went to antarctica, underworld, atlantis, bermuda.....etc

[@wankawanka3053]

@@supermavro6072 more believable than the albanian history 😉

[@ArneRief]

This is the first time I heard about Pytheas and his voyage, really fascinating. Thank you for this video!

[@ISawABear]

I've always wanted a larger channel to cover Pytheas, thank you

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

This is a new story to me. It's amazing so much history that I've studied and there's still so much more out there to learn. I'm 42 and I've been studying history for 30 plus years. but I guess that's nothing considering there are hundreds of thousands of years of History to memorize!

[@supermavro6072]

Mate, you wasted more than half of your life loading your brain with unconfirmed bs. I feel sorry for you

[@SanoyNimbus]

Wow! Imagine this journey as a TV-series “On the Ocean”! A well produced, as historical correct as possible when looking at cultures, languages and people. But since there is not much about his journey they can write in a lot of events, hostile tribes, traders, problem with the boat, problems with sailors on the brink to mutiny and starvation … how he sneaks out to the Atlantic just passing a cartage warship … how he talked to pict druids …

[@augustwolf_2256]

I'd love to watch that.

[@antarescitizen]

Meanwhile, in the Netflix HQ: "Ok so this Greek man is black and he has a Mexican wife"

[@amalialovesicecream]

Great idea....so long as Hollywood and co. does not get involved!

[@dersatansschuh4426]

@@antarescitizen why did you feel the need to make this political

[@supermavro6072]

Since Greek History is a complete fiction. You can depict the Characters like what ever you want.

[@brokenbridge6316]

Now this must've been one hell of a fun n dangerous journey these Greeks went on. I'm sure they encountered a lot of dangers on this voyage. Shame we can only speculate on what they might've been.

[@supermavro6072]

They never went anywhere, All these stories are made up. Probably an 18th century fabrication.

[@schoolofgrowthhacking]

What an incredible adventure! Such a journey would be difficult even in modern times

[@supermavro6072]

With your imagination, you can go any where. Whether you are modern or Ancient

[@wankawanka3053]

@@supermavro6072 imagination is what created the Albanian nation

[@Roma_Aeterna64]

There is a theory that some Ancient Greeks went to America for 1 year before returning to Carthage again. It's very interesting and there are written records of this

[@TheSaneHatter]

Boy, do I know about THIS guy! Many years ago, I found a great book about him at the local library, which told this whole story in even more detail, in some places. (They may well have included additional material, based in things he DIDN'T do, alas.) Even so, there's still a lot to take in from this video. For one thing, his landing spot was called "Belerion"!? I had no idea that JRR Tolkien ever took his fictional place-name of "Beleriand" from real life in this way, and I'm inclined to share this news with a Tolkien channel that I also subscribe to. It's also the first time that I've heard the etymology of the name "Britain," much less its connection to Pytheas.

[@Cyberspine]

A lot of Tolkien's linguistic creations had basis in real languages and words, which is probably why it sounds so natural and real.

[@AlshainFR]

I knew about this being born and having lived in Marseille until recently. There a statue of Pytheas on the facade of the Napoleon III era Marseille chamber of commerce building. By the way Marseille's creation myth is litteraly Pocahantas with Greeks and Gauls (Protis & Gyptis)

[@jamieedwards6721]

I really enjoyed that, top video! Very good. I've always felt it is not our ancestors lack of willingness to explore new territories that we do not have many more accounts like this but rather the accounts made have been sadly lost to time. It's strange we know these lands like the backs of our hands today but it is fascinating to relive the discovery through fresh eyes. Great video please do more on ancient exploration.

[@Russia-bullies]

Thanks for featuring explorations & the good show.

[@markmuller7962]

This is incredible, the true spirit of the human kind in this man and his crew

[@perrinayebarra]

Imagine the bravery it would take to sail literally into the unknown. For all they knew monsters and dragons awaited them.

[@davidcervantes9336]

Amazing! One can only imagine what would be like discovering the world before anyone else at home does. I’m so jealous of these men, who had this opportunity, and I’m also jealous of the men who will have the opportunity to discover the unknown universe.

[@kebman]

An impressive trek to be sure! Much love from Hyperborea!

[@kirschakos]

This was soooo amazing! Thank you! :)

[@lovernotfighter]

I have heard of these travels before and about the "Tin Isles" where the Greeks got their Tin. I always wondered why the books said that the first contact with the British Isles was by Julius Caesar. I knew it was wrong. Thank you for this informative video.

[@BoxStudioExecutive]

First ‘diplomatic’ contact.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

@@BoxStudioExecutive And first formal visit that was recorded to any extent. As said before by this channel, the Carthaginians did not write where or what exactly these "Tin Isles" are because it's a trade secret...

[@melrichardson7709]

@@theotherohlourdespadua1131 Tin was available from other sources in western Europe besides Cornwall. It's found in Brittany and the Iberian peninsula.

[@supermavro6072]

You guys are mixing fiction and history like feta salad

[@azh698]

The British Isles were known as the land of tin back in the Bronze Age (1500-1200 BC), as the world was very interconnected (much like it is today) and tin is an essential material in creating bronze. This knowledge was lost in the collapse.

[@vitorpereira9515]

Managing to go so far north in a greek ship is amazing. The ships used by the greeks were design to the low waves of the mediterranean sea and not the big waves of Atlantic ocean and north sea. Pytheas must have been a great leader and the crew too. Is it possible that some adventurer from antiquity may have arrived in the americas?

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

Remember the ship was not a long and low galley warship, but a round and short cargoship which could handle rough seas much better, especially when not carrying too much cargo. They were much more capable designs, and their descendant types were ones used on later explorations a thousand and a half years later, like the cog or the caravel. I would rather rely on those than the viking longships. If you are interested in the hypothetical, I strongly recommend reading "Ra" by Thor Heyerdahl. Can you sail from Africa to America on a raft made of just reeds and grasses? Very interesting read AND an adventure story.

[@melrichardson7709]

@@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681 Unfortunately the Ra 2 expedition did not reach America but reached Barbados which is quite some distance from the American mainland, nor did it start from Egypt. You have to consider the pace of the current flowing into the Med from the Atlantic and the wind direction. Just to complicate matters further the climate was different to today during the Neolithic and Bronze Age, so the frequency of storms and wind direction would have been something to consider.

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

@@melrichardson7709 There is no reason to sail nonstop from Egypt, infact its stupid. Starting from a base in the Atlantic coast is just a natural thing to do. Also, American mainland is CLOSER than Barbados if you keep heading west instead of following the currents. Lastly, Barbados is not far anyway. I dont know what you are after, is your goal just to have something to argue about and you try to make everything sound different than it actually is?

[@melrichardson7709]

@@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681 No one is trying to "argue" anything. I'm simply pointing out that Heyerdahl did not reach the American mainland and that he did not sail from Egypt, which would have been more in keeping with his theory that Egyptians could have reached America. I doubt that Egypt ever had any base on the Atlantic coast in the first place, as most of their trade was conducted with the near east and up into the Aegean. The tribal groups to the immediate west had long been considered enemies of Egypt, so if you were an Egyptian why would you want to try and go west on a bundle of reeds with the risk of being ship wrecked on land with unfriendly inhabitants? If he was not trying to prove that Egyptians reached America on a reed boat, why name it Ra?

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

@@melrichardson7709 By your choice of arguments, you ARE trying to argue. Choosing irrational fringe arguments and embellishing them forms a coherent pattern of action. Either you dont understand your own arguments, or you lie. Your later arguments simply work to reinforce these original ones, instead of answering mine. So, confused, troll or liar, or a combination of them, at 98% probability or more.

[@HereticalKitsune]

Fascinating video, thanks for sharing! Never heard of that before.

[@the-human-being]

Great and fascinating video !

[@teddyissak2720]

When it comes to western History, there is no boundary between Myth and Reality.

[@leochillrud6255]

My favorite video of yours yet. Could you do more explores that history rarely talks about? Like Masa musa’s brother or someone else?

[@InvictaHistory]

Will do!

[@isocrates0001]

Thanks for this video. Very informative!

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Informative Video & excellent introducing

[@doomguy5559]

*Imagine Pytheas looking at the Northern lights* "ἐν πᾶσι γὰρ τοῖς φυσικοῖς ἔνεστί τι θαυμαστόν"

[@attemptedunkindness3632]

Ever get so blasted on wine and ouzo that you wake up in the Artic Sea? No? You don't party harder than the Greeks, then.

[@bonbondurjdr6553]

Fantastic video!

[@_metal_militia773]

Amazing! great video!

[@q2yogurt]

I love learning about ancient discovery expeditions, shame there's so little accounts of them.

[@iapetusmccool]

10:00 if Pythius actually observed the sun at midnight on the equinox, he must have reached the Arctic Circle.

[@user-jf6yv8rj2s]

Very nice and interesting. I knew about Pytheas and his journey but I have never read thoroughly. It a possibility that after such enormous loss and catastrophy of the ancient sources, probably would be many great things, that had be done or discover in antiquity, which seems unbelievable for us today. Thanks!

[@mrmeowmeow710]

you are a master story teller 1 big thumbs up

[@KobeanHistory]

In case anyone is interested in learning more about Pytheas' voyage. I go over it in more detail in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noiTeZyejtSEiKM

[@supermavro6072]

You two are buddies ?

[@prchdm]

Pytheas "the gigachad" of Massalia

[@kreken5260]

Great Video thanks

[@robbabcock_]

What a terrific video!

[@simonindra3225]

Greeks and the sea it goes together.

[@supermavro6072]

You mean "Greeks and ocean of lies: ? Yeah...they go hand in hand.

[@user-pj7sq7ce1f]

​@@supermavro6072 well. When greeks where building the Parthenon talking about philosophy you did not exist

[@davidenativo]

Speaking of books, I was thinking just yesterday how much emphasis is given to how they were written, copied or even printed during the christian period, but how all of this (bar printing) worked in the ancient world is never spoken of (or even in other cultures like, I don't know, chinese, japanese, etc). A topic that deserves some love I think.

[@goransekulic3671]

What an amazing tale! Where there is a will...there is a way, it only depends whether people are willing to act on it.

[@cymro6537]

Fascinating stuff 👍

[@LargeFriesChocoShake]

It is sad that we weren't born in a time to explore these magnificent unknown lands. Hopefully we will get to explore the cosmos like Pytheas explored our Earth

[@TocsTheWanderer]

Fun fact, the city of Massalia is still inhabited today as the French city of Marseille.

[@Desh282]

Amazing video

[@shogun9450]

Thank you!

[@Blais3]

We dont give enough credits as to how smart and innovative people were back then

[@subratadhar7698]

true

[@longforgotten4823]

One of the consequences of enlightenment and modernity is we hold ourselves in high regard and ignore the achievements of the past. In many ways, they far exceed our own in reasoning, technology, and view of the world.

[@supermavro6072]

Yeah, they used to have fIying Pyramids.

[@KetsaKunta]

They were as smart as any anatomically modern humans have always been. People think that those in the past were stupid or something when they literally had to remember everything in their head or listen to an oral tradition to remember a key fact of life. They were limited by technology and culture but they have always been as smart as us today, probably even smarter.

[@KetsaKunta]

@@longforgotten4823 Part of the enlightenment ideal was democratization of pragmatic knowledge, in the encylopedie the foreword even mentions how laborious arts have been improved on by nameless and countless unknown people, whereas in the sciences we remember everyone who made a breakthrough. The encyclopedie itself sought to correct that notion that old knowledge was not important, as every domain up until they point had been continuously innovated on by unknown laborers. If the consequence of enlightenment is that we disregard old knowledge then the enlightenment movement ultimately failed

[@user-vr8qd4hk6y]

I've always loved ancient history and Greeks but first time I'm hearing about this. I think I stepped upon some mentions, but nothing telling more, how significant and amaizing it was. Just the fact that "On the oceans" was the most important source about nothern Europe for about 300 years until Roman conquest is telling everything and that it should have very respected place in history.

[@skywindow6764]

with respect, it's 100-200.

[@user-vr8qd4hk6y]

@@skywindow6764 Oh... I was going by video, I think it was mentioned as a period lasting 300 years, hmm

[@Mikino1976]

I’m so interested in Pytheas now. Gonna check him out.

[@mnforager]

This was great. I'd never heard of this before

[@nkdms.2031]

It has been proven that argonauts traveled all around Europe and Scandinavia. Also Greeks had relationship with people from US; archeologist found in Canada Minoitic jewellery. The history will change soon as we know it.

[@amadeusamwater]

Having a small boat and a small crew may have been helpful on his journey. A small crew is easier to find food for along the way, and a small boat would not seem threatening to the local peoples. It's also easier to beach a small boat when a storm comes, so they don't have to ride it out and risk sinking.

[@lisakeitel3957]

Increíble. Gracias.

[@andrewlowder7739]

Fascinating!

[@TheBrickMasterB]

I'm surprised there hasn't been a game or movie inspired by this journey!

[@stavroskontargyris]

if its marvel they ll make pytheas a strong female colored character.

[@jt0094]

I’m about to start watching this - it’s always interested me how Ancient Greek exploration is somewhat overlooked, years ago I read about a Greek explorer who sailed all the way to Britain many thousands of years ago, before the Roman Empire existed - fascinated me ever since. EDIT - I now realise why starting a video before commenting, could be useful.

[@igarciaasua9]

I love this explorer themed videos

[@augustwolf_2256]

If I had to take a guess as to where the location of 'Thule' was, I would rule out Iceland as a candidate as Pytheas is noted by Strabo and the other scholars who quoted him as having described the inhabitants of Thule. Iceland would not be inhabited until the Vikings settled there in the 10th century. So, don't see how it could have been there. My best guess would be that it was one of the many Islands/peninsulas in central-Northern Norway, which Pytheas mistook for part of a larger island similar to Britain, as he would have been unaware of the shape of Scandinavia.

[@joeshmoe8345]

Next expedition y’all should cover has to be Polynesian sailors radiating across the pacific and indian oceans. Interesting topic!

[@nunyabiznes33]

Austronesian Expansion as a several episode series, starting from origins in continental Asia, to the settlement of maritime Southeast Asia, then Polynesia and then maybe the final episode would be about Easter Island and possible South American contact.

[@therealunclevanya]

I would have thought favorable winds would have taken him East through the English Channel rather than West around Lands End, but, if he saw large tidal changes then he was definitely in the Bristol Channel/Pembroke coast. Remember the climate has changed several times in the last 3000 years with both warming and cooling periods so this will make it more difficult to base his course on modern temperatures. I think Norway was more likely than Iceland given that when he turned back he ended up in the Baltic. Great video. I had heard about him as I knew the story of the Pretanni. Pretanni could mean "Singing Isles" rather than "Painted Ones" and if you listen to Erse, Kernow or one of the old Celtic languages they have a sing song lilt.

[@beachboy0505]

An excellent video 📹

[@CD-xl5tq]

Always love your videos, congrats! But did I hear right when you said Massalia is at the south mouth of the Rhine??????? You meant Rhône probably. You should edit that. But love the rest of the video!

[@InvictaHistory]

Ah yes you are correct catching that error

[@CD-xl5tq]

@@InvictaHistory No worries. Really enjoyed the video, as always. First time I heard about this voyage. Much less covered than Ibn Battuta and other famous travellers.

[@andyventures6574]

@@InvictaHistory You put it in deliberately to see how many people actually paid attention 😜

[@007JHS]

Great clip.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Brilliant!!!

[@skippadadippa2412]

I wonder if the stories about greek heros like Jason, Hercules, and odysseus were just names of explorers known to the greeks and made a story for them to make them famous