Periplus

Periplus (also Periplous; περίπλους Greek, plural περίπλοι períploi; " coastal navigation, circumnavigation " ) is a term derived from the ancient nautical and naval tactics.

In a meaning Periplus is a written aid to navigation. Such "books" contained a sea route description, which allowed an orientation in foreign waters. The essence of each other was an ordered list or a catalog of ports and landmarks a coastline with approximate distances.

Based on this importance but also bear trips or travel descriptions the name Periplus, as the Carthaginian Periplus of Hanno the Navigator, even Periplus Hannonis, dating from the 5th century AD, the Periplus Maris trade route description Erythraei, around the middle of the first century by a sailor from Alexandria authored in Greek manual for the import and export of goods from East Africa to India and the Periplus of Arrian in the area of the Black Sea.

The Periplus formed the basis for later development of Portolano.

In other meaning Periplus is a special tactic in the ancient naval warfare, namely the bypassing of enemy ships.

Thematically related to the Periplus is the Stadiasmos, Latinized Stadiasmus, in ancient times a " miles Weiser " in book form or as a stone pillar.