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Gregor Reisch

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The author studied Indology and Japanology in the years 1990 and 1991 at the University of Tübingen in Germany where he already got in contact with Sanskrit Literature. Later he completed a course of training as IT specialist and works now as a web developer. As a researcher, he has been working on open questions of ancient history since the 1980s. And this mainly related to the area of intercultural exchange between South Asia and Europe between the 5th century BCE and the 5th century CE.

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Osmund Bopearachchi

Gintota P V Somaratna

Colombo Theological Seminary

chandana jayawardana

Hans-Joachim Weisshaar

German Archaeological Institute

Neranjala Weerakoon

The University of Queensland

Leipzig University (Universität Leipzig)

daya dissanayake

Osmund Bopearachchi

University of California, Berkeley

Nadeesha Gunawardhana - University of Kelaniya

University of Bristol

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Drafts by Gregor Reisch

When Rome found Taprobane

As we have long known from a report in the encyclopaedic work of the ancient Roman naturalist Pli... more As we have long known from a report in the encyclopaedic work of the ancient Roman naturalist Pliny, an embassy from the island of Taprobane, now Sri Lanka, came to the court of the Roman Emperor Claudius, ruling at this time. The detailed circumstances of this legation in the 1st century CE are not known to us until today and probably never will be. This study, at least, aims to shed light on the possible effects of the arrival of a Roman freedman on the island, which finally led to the despatch of this legation. More specifically, it aims to identify cultural or personal adaptations in ancient Rome on the one hand and Sri Lanka on the other at this period of history, exemplified by a number of similarities. As will be shown in this cross-cultural study, such examples of similarities are far more numerous than one might generally assume.

List of available book editions of research texts by Gregor Reisch

The Legation of the Serendivi to the Roman Emperor Julian in the 4th Century CE

The Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus tells us about a legation of the so-called Serendivi to ... more The Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus tells us about a legation of the so-called Serendivi to the Roman Emperor Julian in the year 362 CE. It is still disputed among scholars whether these envoys came from present-day Sri Lanka. This study focuses on finding possible evidence for this assumption. For this purpose, a more detailed analysis of the circumstances in the East and West shortly before and shortly after the middle of the 4th century CE is carried out. What is certain is that the legates from the East that visited the Roman Empire in the 4th century CE witnessed an age of Upheaval. The outcome of which the cultures in the West and East were decisively shaped up to our time.

Southern India and Sri Lanka as depicted on the Peutinger Table in their historical context

The so-called Peutinger Table, whose template goes back to a road map from the Roman imperial per... more The so-called Peutinger Table, whose template goes back to a road map from the Roman imperial period, depicts only a few localities for southern India. Nevertheless, this limitation certainly reflects crucial centres of the long-distance trade network between Rome and the south of the subcontinent. Parallel historical events of the 2nd century CE in Rome on the one side and South India with Sri Lanka on the other side have been considered in this study. Their relation to the few localities recorded is shown. In the analysis of the significance of these localities in the historical development of South India in the 2nd century CE, climatic changes and epidemics in particular become visible as two extreme triggers of social processes. It also becomes apparent that southern India experienced similar developments as its large trading partner, the Roman empire on the other side of the ocean.

Long-Distance Trade Routes of Northern India on the Peutinger Map

Since its surprising appearance in the early 16th century, the so-called Peutinger map has raised... more Since its surprising appearance in the early 16th century, the so-called Peutinger map has raised many questions. Above all, since then it has been very difficult for experts to provide answers as to the time of origin of a certainly antique model for it and a reasonable identification of numerous localities recorded on it. In this respect, this study focuses on the segment of the scroll map, which has been given the consecutive number XII. This section depicts, among other regions, ancient India and this eastern area is also the main focus of this study. Analysis results suggest that a very subjective view found its representation on this part of the Peutinger Map. In particular, limited knowledge of the ancient Indian road network in terms of both contemporary history and culture has been incorporated into the presentation. Nevertheless, it can offer new insights into the major roads on the subcontinent at that time, which we know from literature under the terms Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha. Unexpected for the author was the topicality of events described in the study after finishing work on this article. So are the worldwide effects of a pandemic in the Roman Empire and beyond in a globalised world of the 2nd century CE also addressed in this study.

Asia east of the Ganges on maps according to the Geography of Claudius Ptolemy

For a long time, it has been assumed that the place names for the regions east of the Ganges in C... more For a long time, it has been assumed that the place names for the regions east of the Ganges in Claudius Ptolemy's geographical guide refer to loci in countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam and China. The careful analysis of a few detailed map representations according to Ptolemy's text, however, leads to different and also surprising conclusions. In these geographical maps that were made at the end of the Middle Ages, at the beginning of the age of discovery, we could recognise the oldest charts of the territory of today's state of Myanmar, former Burma. Changes and continuity regarding the settlement history and landscape become particularly plain through the depictions.

The Thule of Pytheas of Massilia and the Norwegian Island of Tustna

Since the time of the Greek explorer Pytheas in antiquity, the Thule Island wanders as a mythical... more Since the time of the Greek explorer Pytheas in antiquity, the Thule Island wanders as a mythical place through textual descriptions. With often contradictory localizations in writings and on old maps, allegedly lying somewhere between Britain and Iceland. Also due to Lelgemann's positioning for Thule, one could assume that Pytheas's Thule can be found near Trondheim in Norway. Comparisons between ancient and modern maps now seem to indicate that the small Norwegian island of Tustna served as a model for the mysterious Thule Island.

The Accuracy of some Mediaeval Maps of the Taprobane Island

In his treatise on cartography, Claudius Ptolemy also wrote about the Taprobane Island, which is ... more In his treatise on cartography, Claudius Ptolemy also wrote about the Taprobane Island, which is Sri Lanka today. In the surviving text books of this work, vivid depictions of this island were enclosed. Compared to maps of the ancient island of Taprobane known to us, which were printed in the late 15th and in the 16th century, others contained in late mediaeval manuscripts show a multitude of details. Especially one map from Burney MS 111 and one other by Nicolaus Germanus offer unsurpassed accuracy. Unexpectedly, one can also detect much information contained in the drawings of the islands surrounding Taprobane on these depictions. Even identifications of present-day settlements and localities are better possible with these mediaeval hand-drawn maps.

Das Thule des Pytheas von Massilia und die norwegische Insel Tustna

Seit der Zeit des griechischen Seefahrers Pytheas in der Antike, geistert die Insel Thule als ein... more Seit der Zeit des griechischen Seefahrers Pytheas in der Antike, geistert die Insel Thule als ein mythischer Ort durch die Beschreibungen. Mit oftmals widersprüchlichen Lokalisierungen in Texten und auf alten Karten, angeblich irgendwo zwischen Britannien und Island liegend. Auch aufgrund der Positionsbestimmung von Lelgemann für Thule, konnte man annehmen, dass Pytheas Thule beim norwegischen Trondheim liegen müsse. Vergleiche zwischen alten und neuen Landkarten scheinen nun darauf hinzuweisen, dass die kleine norwegische Insel Tustna als Vorlage für das rätselhafte Thule diente.

Technical Devices in Ancient Alexandria and their Equivalents in the Indian Cultural Area

In this comparative study some technical devices, as they were known in the Greco-Roman Alexandri... more In this comparative study some technical devices, as they were known in the Greco-Roman Alexandria, are juxtaposed to such of the Indian cultural area, as they were mentioned in various, even legendary writings. The focus here is mainly on the time between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE, when the trade between Egypt and South Asia over the sea had a heyday. At that time the main representatives of Western technical engineering lived and worked in Alexandria.

When Rome found Taprobane

As we have long known from a report in the encyclopaedic work of the ancient Roman naturalist Pli... more As we have long known from a report in the encyclopaedic work of the ancient Roman naturalist Pliny, an embassy from the island of Taprobane, now Sri Lanka, came to the court of the Roman Emperor Claudius, ruling at this time. The detailed circumstances of this legation in the 1st century CE are not known to us until today and probably never will be. This study, at least, aims to shed light on the possible effects of the arrival of a Roman freedman on the island, which finally led to the despatch of this legation. More specifically, it aims to identify cultural or personal adaptations in ancient Rome on the one hand and Sri Lanka on the other at this period of history, exemplified by a number of similarities. As will be shown in this cross-cultural study, such examples of similarities are far more numerous than one might generally assume.

List of available book editions of research texts by Gregor Reisch

The Legation of the Serendivi to the Roman Emperor Julian in the 4th Century CE

The Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus tells us about a legation of the so-called Serendivi to ... more The Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus tells us about a legation of the so-called Serendivi to the Roman Emperor Julian in the year 362 CE. It is still disputed among scholars whether these envoys came from present-day Sri Lanka. This study focuses on finding possible evidence for this assumption. For this purpose, a more detailed analysis of the circumstances in the East and West shortly before and shortly after the middle of the 4th century CE is carried out. What is certain is that the legates from the East that visited the Roman Empire in the 4th century CE witnessed an age of Upheaval. The outcome of which the cultures in the West and East were decisively shaped up to our time.

Southern India and Sri Lanka as depicted on the Peutinger Table in their historical context

The so-called Peutinger Table, whose template goes back to a road map from the Roman imperial per... more The so-called Peutinger Table, whose template goes back to a road map from the Roman imperial period, depicts only a few localities for southern India. Nevertheless, this limitation certainly reflects crucial centres of the long-distance trade network between Rome and the south of the subcontinent. Parallel historical events of the 2nd century CE in Rome on the one side and South India with Sri Lanka on the other side have been considered in this study. Their relation to the few localities recorded is shown. In the analysis of the significance of these localities in the historical development of South India in the 2nd century CE, climatic changes and epidemics in particular become visible as two extreme triggers of social processes. It also becomes apparent that southern India experienced similar developments as its large trading partner, the Roman empire on the other side of the ocean.

Long-Distance Trade Routes of Northern India on the Peutinger Map

Since its surprising appearance in the early 16th century, the so-called Peutinger map has raised... more Since its surprising appearance in the early 16th century, the so-called Peutinger map has raised many questions. Above all, since then it has been very difficult for experts to provide answers as to the time of origin of a certainly antique model for it and a reasonable identification of numerous localities recorded on it. In this respect, this study focuses on the segment of the scroll map, which has been given the consecutive number XII. This section depicts, among other regions, ancient India and this eastern area is also the main focus of this study. Analysis results suggest that a very subjective view found its representation on this part of the Peutinger Map. In particular, limited knowledge of the ancient Indian road network in terms of both contemporary history and culture has been incorporated into the presentation. Nevertheless, it can offer new insights into the major roads on the subcontinent at that time, which we know from literature under the terms Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha. Unexpected for the author was the topicality of events described in the study after finishing work on this article. So are the worldwide effects of a pandemic in the Roman Empire and beyond in a globalised world of the 2nd century CE also addressed in this study.

Asia east of the Ganges on maps according to the Geography of Claudius Ptolemy

For a long time, it has been assumed that the place names for the regions east of the Ganges in C... more For a long time, it has been assumed that the place names for the regions east of the Ganges in Claudius Ptolemy's geographical guide refer to loci in countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam and China. The careful analysis of a few detailed map representations according to Ptolemy's text, however, leads to different and also surprising conclusions. In these geographical maps that were made at the end of the Middle Ages, at the beginning of the age of discovery, we could recognise the oldest charts of the territory of today's state of Myanmar, former Burma. Changes and continuity regarding the settlement history and landscape become particularly plain through the depictions.

The Thule of Pytheas of Massilia and the Norwegian Island of Tustna

Since the time of the Greek explorer Pytheas in antiquity, the Thule Island wanders as a mythical... more Since the time of the Greek explorer Pytheas in antiquity, the Thule Island wanders as a mythical place through textual descriptions. With often contradictory localizations in writings and on old maps, allegedly lying somewhere between Britain and Iceland. Also due to Lelgemann's positioning for Thule, one could assume that Pytheas's Thule can be found near Trondheim in Norway. Comparisons between ancient and modern maps now seem to indicate that the small Norwegian island of Tustna served as a model for the mysterious Thule Island.

The Accuracy of some Mediaeval Maps of the Taprobane Island

In his treatise on cartography, Claudius Ptolemy also wrote about the Taprobane Island, which is ... more In his treatise on cartography, Claudius Ptolemy also wrote about the Taprobane Island, which is Sri Lanka today. In the surviving text books of this work, vivid depictions of this island were enclosed. Compared to maps of the ancient island of Taprobane known to us, which were printed in the late 15th and in the 16th century, others contained in late mediaeval manuscripts show a multitude of details. Especially one map from Burney MS 111 and one other by Nicolaus Germanus offer unsurpassed accuracy. Unexpectedly, one can also detect much information contained in the drawings of the islands surrounding Taprobane on these depictions. Even identifications of present-day settlements and localities are better possible with these mediaeval hand-drawn maps.

Das Thule des Pytheas von Massilia und die norwegische Insel Tustna

Seit der Zeit des griechischen Seefahrers Pytheas in der Antike, geistert die Insel Thule als ein... more Seit der Zeit des griechischen Seefahrers Pytheas in der Antike, geistert die Insel Thule als ein mythischer Ort durch die Beschreibungen. Mit oftmals widersprüchlichen Lokalisierungen in Texten und auf alten Karten, angeblich irgendwo zwischen Britannien und Island liegend. Auch aufgrund der Positionsbestimmung von Lelgemann für Thule, konnte man annehmen, dass Pytheas Thule beim norwegischen Trondheim liegen müsse. Vergleiche zwischen alten und neuen Landkarten scheinen nun darauf hinzuweisen, dass die kleine norwegische Insel Tustna als Vorlage für das rätselhafte Thule diente.

Technical Devices in Ancient Alexandria and their Equivalents in the Indian Cultural Area

In this comparative study some technical devices, as they were known in the Greco-Roman Alexandri... more In this comparative study some technical devices, as they were known in the Greco-Roman Alexandria, are juxtaposed to such of the Indian cultural area, as they were mentioned in various, even legendary writings. The focus here is mainly on the time between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE, when the trade between Egypt and South Asia over the sea had a heyday. At that time the main representatives of Western technical engineering lived and worked in Alexandria.