Dionysius Periegetes

Dionysius Periegetes (Διονύσιος ὁ Περιηγητής, literally Dionysius the Voyager or Traveller, often Latinized to Dionysius Periegeta), also known as Dionysius of Alexandria or Dionysius the African, was the author of a description of the then-known world in Greek hexameter verse. He is believed to have been from Alexandria and to have lived around the time of Hadrian (r. 117–138), though some date his lifetime as late as the end of the 3rd century.



The work enjoyed popularity in ancient times as a schoolbook. It was translated into Latin by Rufius Festus Avienius, and by the grammarian Priscian. Archbishop Eustathius of Thessalonica wrote a commentary on his work for John Doukas.

Editions and translations

 * reprinted Hildesheim: Olms, 1974 ISBN 3-487-04910-4 (this book contains also Eustathius' comment, the scholia, Avienius' Descriptio orbis terrarum and Priscian's Periegesis).
 * reprinted Hildesheim: Olms, 1974 ISBN 3-487-04911-2.
 * reprinted Hildesheim: Olms, 1974 ISBN 3-487-04910-4 (this book contains also Eustathius' comment, the scholia, Avienius' Descriptio orbis terrarum and Priscian's Periegesis).
 * reprinted Hildesheim: Olms, 1974 ISBN 3-487-04911-2.