Did the Greek Explorer Pytheas Discover Britain and Iceland?

When we think of history’s explorers, names like Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus are usually the first to come to mind. Yet, some believe that around 1,800 years before the Age of Exploration had even dawned, one man discovered both the British Isles and Iceland.

The Ancient Greek explorer, known as Pytheas of Massalia, embarked on a remarkable adventure beyond the edges of the then-known world, mapping fantastical lands and describing its peoples. But was he really the first to encounter these ancient worlds? Read on to find out as we embark on our own journey of discovery.

Pytheas of Massalia was a Greek geographer, explorer, and astronomer who lived during the 4th century BC. Hailing from the Greek colony of Massalia, the modern-day French city of Marseille, he’s renowned for his pioneering voyage to the northwestern regions of Europe. His explorations extended to the British Isles and possibly as far as the Arctic Circle, making him one of the earliest known outsiders in these regions.

Little is known about Pytheas’s early life, including his birth and family background. Massalia though was a thriving trading hub during his time, facilitating interactions between Greek merchants and the Celtic tribes of Gaul. This environment may have fostered Pytheas’s interest in exploration and navigation.

Pytheas’ voyage began in around 325 BC. He’s thought to have set sail from Massalia, aiming to explore the far northern reaches of Europe. As for his route, it’s believed he navigated through the Strait of Gibraltar, then called the Pillars of Hercules, moving from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. From there, he may have skirted along the coasts of what are now Portugal, Spain and France, eventually crossing the English Channel.

So, did Pytheas discover Britain? Well, not in the sense of being the first human to ever encounter it. The British Isles had been inhabited for a long time before his expedition arrived. They were also probably known to some Mediterranean traders. But, judging by what we know, he was unquestionably a pioneer; almost certainly the first Greek explorer to reach the British Isles. In fact, he may have even navigated around the entire island of Britain.

Perhaps the most groundbreaking aspect of the voyage of Pytheas was his detailed recording of it, the earliest known Greek account of the British Isles. He’s also thought to be the first to provide the isles with a written name, as “Prettanike” or “Bretannikē.”

The breadth and depth of Pytheas’s accounts were extensive, encompassing everything from mapping out the region and describing the inhabitants to setting out their agricultural practices and climate.
He painted a picture of a land divided into several regions, inhabited by diverse tribes who lived off the land and engaged in agriculture and fishing. He described the tin mines of Cornwall, which were of significant interest due to tin’s role in bronze production.

Among these wider observations, he also included smaller tidbits. For instance, the people of Britain were apparently unfamiliar with wine, instead drinking a beverage made from barley, possibly an early version of beer.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Pytheas’ voyage is his account of a land he called “Thule.” He described Thule as the northernmost inhabited region, where the sun barely set during the summer solstice. According to his writings, Thule was six days’ sail north of Britain.

For centuries, scholars have debated the true identity of Thule. Some believe it could be Iceland, given its geographical location and the phenomena Pytheas described, such as the midnight sun and polar ice. Others argue it might have been Norway or the Shetland Islands.

While there’s no definitive proof that Pytheas reached Iceland, his descriptions align with what we know about the region. If he did indeed reach Iceland, Pytheas’s voyage would mark the Greek discovery of Iceland, making him the first known explorer from the Mediterranean world to do so.

Pytheas’s original written works have been lost. Instead, his journey is known through references by later writers such as Strabo, Pliny the Elder, and Diodorus Siculus. While some contemporaries were sceptical of his accounts, modern historians often recognise the value of his contributions to ancient geography and exploration, among them:

• Astronomical Observations: He used a gnomon to measure the altitude of the sun, enabling him to calculate the latitude of various locations.
• Tidal Studies: Pytheas was among the first to link the tides to the phases of the moon, observing the regularity of tidal patterns.
• Ethnography: His accounts provided insights into the cultures, languages, and societies of the Celtic peoples.
• Natural Phenomena: He documented climatic conditions, flora, and fauna of the regions he visited, contributing to the broader Greek understanding of the natural world.

Pytheas’s voyage clearly expanded the horizons of the ancient world and laid the foundations for future explorers. His observations influenced cartography and the scientific understanding of the Earth’s northern regions. But did Pytheas discover Britain and Iceland? While he may not have been the first human to set eyes or even feet on these lands, his voyage was undoubtedly a pioneering one, possibly representing the Greek discovery of Iceland and bringing knowledge of these regions to the wider Mediterranean world.