Himilco was aCarthaginian navigator andexplorer who lived during the late 6th or early 5th century BC, a period of time where Carthage held significant sway over its neighboring regions. Little is known of Himilco himself, but there are ancient sources for his voyages.
Himilco is the first known explorer from theMediterranean Sea to reach the northwestern shores ofEurope. His lost account of his adventures is quoted by Roman writers. The oldest reference to Himilco's voyage is a brief mention inNatural History (2.169a) by the Roman scholarPliny the Elder.[1] Himilco was quoted three times byRufius Festus Avienius, who wroteOra Maritima, a poetical account of the geography in the 4th century AD.[2]
Himilco sailed to the territory of theOestrimini tribe living inPortugal, then on to northwesternFrance, likely in order to trade fortin (to be used for makingbronze) and other precious metals.Avienius asserts that the outward journey to the Oestriminis took the Carthaginians four months.[3] Himilco followed the northern Atlantic trade route used by theTartessians of southern Iberia, according to Avienius.[4]
Records of the voyages of Himilco also mention the islands ofAlbion andIerne,[5] the ancient names for Britain and Ireland. There has been speculation that Himilco sailed further north along theAtlantic coast from theIberian Peninsula to theBritish Isles,[6] asCornwall was part of theancient Atlantic tin trade routes.[7] However, none of the ancient sources claim that he landed in Britain, nor is there any archeological evidence for direct trade contact with the Carthaginians.[8]
Himilco described his journeys as quite harrowing, repeatedly reportingsea monsters and seaweed,[9] likely in order to deter Greek rivals from competing on their new trade routes. Carthaginian accounts of monsters became one source of the myths discouraging sailing in the Atlantic.[10]
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