THE EASTERN COAST. 
seems to have justly inferred, that the Roman ex- 
plorer 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 confess, that the voyage of three years, the 
exclusive produce of gold and ivory, (with the 
trifling addition of apes)y even the name of Ophir 
(Soopheira, SeptuagJ) strongly suggest a conside- 
rable progress along the shore of the Indian ocean. 
It is true, that such a communication, and all 
knowledge of it, were entirely lost ; and in the 
time of Alexander, navigation did not extend be- 
yond Cape Guardafui. But we have already 
noticed the perishable nature of all geographical 
knowledge 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 abor- 
tive.* Nor did any active and commercial power 
* I. Kings, xxii. 48, II. Chronicles, xx. 36—38. 
