When did Strabo die?

Strabo: When Did This OG Geographer Kick the Bucket?

Strabo. Ever heard of him? If not, you should! This Greek dude was a total rockstar back in the day – a geographer, historian, and philosopher whose work gives us an incredible peek into the ancient world. Born around 64 or 63 BC in Amaseia, which is now Amasya in Turkey, he lived through some seriously wild times, watching the Roman Republic morph into the Roman Empire. We know a ton about his life thanks to all his travels and writings, but figuring out exactly when he died? That’s where things get a little… fuzzy.

So, when did Strabo shuffle off this mortal coil? Well, most historians agree he probably died around 24 AD. How’d they figure that out? It’s all thanks to clues hidden within his massive book, Geographica. See, he mentions the death of Juba II, the king of Mauretania. Juba bit the dust in 23 AD, and Strabo mentions it as happening “just recently.” Makes sense, right? He was probably writing about it either that year or the next. So, it’s a pretty safe bet that Strabo himself passed away soon after putting the finishing touches on Geographica.

Strabo wasn’t just some stay-at-home scholar, though. This guy traveled. All over Europe, Asia, and Africa! Seriously, his adventures shaped his understanding of the world. He went as far west as Tuscany and all the way down to Ethiopia. And he wasn’t just winging it. He studied with some of the smartest people around, like Tyrannion and Xenarchus in Rome. Plus, he soaked up knowledge from earlier thinkers like Homer, Aristotle, and Posidonius. Talk about a well-rounded education!

Now, let’s talk about Geographica. This thing is a beast – seventeen books long! It’s basically a complete rundown of the world as people knew it during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Political stuff, economic details, social tidbits, cultural quirks, and, of course, geography – it’s all in there. He covered everything from Europe and the Mediterranean to the Middle East and North Africa. Honestly, Geographica is a goldmine. It’s the only surviving work that gives us such a detailed look at both Greek and Roman societies of that time. Pretty cool, huh?

Even though Geographica wasn’t an instant bestseller, it eventually became the go-to reference. And honestly, Strabo’s attention to detail and the historical context he provides makes him a total legend. His work is still super valuable to anyone trying to understand the ancient world. So next time you’re feeling curious about history, give Strabo a read. You might be surprised at what you discover!