Megasthenes' Indica: A New Translation of the Fragments with Commentary

The Indica is a classical work of ethnography that provides a new translation of all the surviving portions of the description of India written by Megasthenes in 310 BCE. It is the fullest account of Indian geography, history, and customs available to the classical world. The book is a valuable resource for classical scholars and students interested in Hellenistic history and cultural attitudes, as well as scholars working on the early history of India.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This remarkable work presents a fresh and comprehensive translation of all the surviving fragments of the renowned account of India penned by Megasthenes in approximately 310 BCE. It stands as the most comprehensive and detailed account of Indian geography, history, and customs available to the classical world. The Indica, a pioneering masterpiece of ethnography, marked a significant shift in Hellenistic writing. Prior to Alexander the Great's expedition in 326–325 BCE, the Greeks had limited knowledge of India. Megasthenes, serving as an ambassador in the Maurya capital of Pataliputra, played a pivotal role in providing the classical world with its most comprehensive understanding of India.

Unfortunately, only fragments of Megasthenes' original work have survived, preserved in other Greek and Latin authors. In his remarkable effort, Stoneman has meticulously compiled a reliable and accessible version of all the writings that can plausibly be attributed to Megasthenes. His comprehensive subject matter spans from detailed accounts of social structure and the royal household to vivid descriptions of elephant hunting and Indian philosophical ideas. Notably, his book is the sole written source contemporary with the Maurya kingdom of Candragupta, as writing was not yet prevalent in India during this period.

This translation offers a valuable gateway to a deeper comprehension of Greek ethnography and serves as a precious resource in the study of Indian history. It will be of immense value to classical scholars, students, and scholars engaged in the early history of India, who have traditionally relied on scattered and dated collections of evidence. The meticulous translation and comprehensive analysis provided by Stoneman in this book ensure a clearer understanding of the rich tapestry of ancient India and its interactions with the broader world.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 233 x 157 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032023571