Eudoxus Of Cyzicus

Greek explorer
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Quick Facts
Born:
2nd century bc
Flourished:
c.200 BCE - c.101 BCE
Cyzicus
Turkey

Eudoxus Of Cyzicus (born 2nd century bc) was a Greek navigator and explorer who made the first known attempt to circumnavigate Africa from western Europe. Following two successful voyages to India from the Red Sea for the king of Egypt, Ptolemy Euergetes II, he went to Gades, present-day Cádiz, Spain, where he outfitted three ships for his planned circumnavigation. On the first attempt he was driven aground south of Morocco. He sailed again down the west coast of Africa but the entire expedition was lost. No further attempt was made to round southern Africa until the late 15th century.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.