DISCOVERIES OF THE ANCIENTS. 23 
Gosselin seems to have justly inferred, that the 
Roman explorer did not sail quite so far as the 
Carthaginian had done. 
Curiosity and commerce attracted also the atten- 
tion of the ancients towards the eastern coast of 
Africa. The first voyages which can be referred 
to that region, are those to Tarshish and Ophir, 
mentioned in the sacred writings. They were 
sent by the Jewish monarchs, at the greatest height 
of their power, and when aided by Tyre, the first 
maritime state of antiquity. Several very learned 
writers seem now inclined to confine these voyages 
within the limits of the Arabian gulf. But I con- 
fess, that the voyage of three years, the exclusive 
produce of gold and ivory, (with the trifling addi- 
tion of apeSy) even the name of Ophir (Soopheira, 
Septuag.) strongly suggest a considerable pro- 
gress along the shore of the Indian ocean. It is 
true, that such a communication, and all know- 
ledge of it, were entirely lost j and in the time of 
Alexander, navigation did not extend beyond 
Cape Guardafui. But we have already noticed 
the perishable nature of all geographical know- 
ledge among the ancients. After the death of 
Solomon, and the dissolution of the alliance with 
Tyre, this great branch of commerce was lost ; 
and all attempts to restore it proved abortive. * 
* I. Kings, xxii. 48. II. Chronicles, xx. 86 — 38. 
