I really enjoyed reading Megasthenes' Indica. Who are some other classical authors who traveled to the fringes of their society's world and wrote of the customs and history of the people who lived there?

by gm6464

I think you can lean a lot about a society by seeing how they perceived distant people with alien cultures. Also, the idea of an ancient person traveling vast distances and seeking to teach people about what he saw there really captures my heart and imagination. Can you recommend some other sources from antique authors writing about distant places they actually visited?

arivederlestelle

Have you heard of Cosmas Indicopleustes' Christian Topography? It seems to be known mostly for claiming the Earth is in fact flat (or at least Ark of the Covenant-shaped) but IIRC he also has some interesting descriptions of people/events at the southern end of the Red Sea.