Document 2: Strabo Geography 1.8 (1st C. BC - 1st C. AD) \"We may learn both fro

Question

Document 2: Strabo Geography 1.8 (1st C. BC - 1st C. AD) "We may learn both from the evidence of our senses and from experience that the inhabited world is an island; for wherever it has been possible for man to reach the limits of the earth, sea has been found, and this sea we call "Oceanus." And wherever we have not been able to learn by the evidence of our sense, there reason points the way. For example, as to the eastern side of the inhabited earth (India), and the western side (Spain and Morocco), one may sail wholly around them and continue the voyage for a considerable distance along the northern and southern regions; and as for the rest of the distance around the inhabited earth which has not been visited by us up to the present time (because of the fact that the navigators who sailed in opposite directions towards each other never met) it is not of very great extent, if we reckon from the parallel distances that have been traversed by us. It is unlikely that the Atlantic Ocean is divided into two seas, thus being separated by isthmuses so narrow and that prevent the circumnavigation; it is more likely that it is one confluent and continuous sea For those who undertook circumnavigation, and turned back without having achieved their purpose, say that they were made to turn back, not because of any continent that stood in their way and hindered their further advance, inasmuch as the sea still continued open as before, but because of their destitution and loneliness. This theory accords better, too, with the behaviour of the ocean, that, in respect of the ebb and flow of the tides; everywhere, at all events, the same principle, or else one that does not vary much, accounts for the changes both of high tide and low tide, as would be the case if their movements were produced by one sea and were the result of one cause." [my emphasis] 11. What does this passage tell us about attempts to circumnavigate the world, as far as Strabo knows? a. The world had been successfully circumnavigated b. Attempts had been made but they were unsuccessful c. Nobody had even tried to circumnavigate the world. d. It does not tell us anything 12. Which of the following arguments does Strabo NOT make against the belief that there is a continent in the ocean between Europe and Asia (travelling West from Europe)? a. That no explorer has reported such a continent. b. That the ocean is too narrow for such a continent, unless it was very narrow. c. That the tides on shores facing that ocean all behave similarly. d. That explorers had never arrived in Europe Irom such a continent.

Explanation / Answer

11. b - Attempts had been made but they were unsuccessfull.

He states explicitly that "navigators who sailed in opposite directions never met".

12. b - That the ocean is too narrow for such a continent

On the contrary he states that "wherever it has been possible for man to reach the limits of the Earth, sea has been found". And also he later says that those tried to circumnavigate turned back because of their destitution and loneliness in the open ocean. So he never believed that ocean is too narrow to accommodate a continent and didn't made such an arguement here.

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