The Christian Topography of Cosmas Indicopleustes

Abstract

THE “Christian Topography” of Kosmas Indikopleustes is a very peculiar work. As a monument of literary style it is precious, for it shows us what terrible rubbish, what wandering and discursive twaddle, people were already writing in the sixth century, when the mental degeneration of the Middle Ages (more properly called the “Dark Ages”) had hardly yet set in. As a geographical landmark it is also precious, for the author, twaddlemonger as he was, went to various parts of the East beyond the ken of the ordinary man of the time, and his descriptions of the Somali coast, of Coromandel, and of Ceylon, which he apparently visited himself, in the sixth century, are in the highest degree interesting and valuable. Finally, as a work of unintentional humour, it is beyond price. Of course, the humour of it would not be apparent to all, and it is perhaps irreverent (to the sixth century, which is now somewhat venerable) to direct the reader's attention to this feature of this peculiar work. Yet, since the editor himself indulges in a hearty laugh over the poor old “Christian Topographer,” perhaps the reviewer may be allowed to do so too. At any rate, he sins in the most authoritative company, and if the editor treats his subject (as Mr. Winstedt does) something after the style of Mark Twain and the Yankee at the Court of King Arthur, the reviewer must not be censured if he frivolously suspects the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press of having produced a humorous book.

The Christian Topography of Cosmas Indicopleustes.

Edited, with Geographical Notes, by E. O. Winstedt. Pp. x+376+xiv plates. (Cambridge: University Press, 1909.) Price 12s. 6d. net.