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Himilco was a Carthaginian navigator and exploration 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 the Mediterranean Sea to reach the northwestern shores of Europe. His lost account of his adventures is quoted by Roman writers. The oldest reference to Himilco's voyage is a brief mention in Natural History (2.169a) by the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder.Pliny the Elder, Natural History 2.169a Himilco was quoted three times by Rufius Festus Avienius, who wrote Ora Maritima, a poetical account of the geography in the 4th century AD. Avienus, Rufius Festus and Murphy, J. P. (1977) Ora maritima: or, description of the seacoast from Brittany round to Massilia. Ares Publisher,
Himilco sailed to the territory of the Oestriminis tribe living in Portugal, then on to northwestern France, likely in order to trade for tin (to be used for making bronze) and other precious metals. Avienius asserts that the outward journey to the Oestriminis took the Carthaginians four months. Himilco followed the northern Atlantic trade route used by the Tartessus of southern Iberia, according to Avienius.Avienius, Ora Maritima, verses 112-118
Records of the voyages of Himilco also mention the islands of Albion and Ierne,Avienius, Ora Maritima, verses 111-112 the ancient names for Britain and Ireland. There has been speculation that Himilco sailed further north along the Atlantic Ocean coast from the Iberian Peninsula to the British Isles, as Cornwall was part of the ancient Atlantic tin trade routes.Hawkins, Christopher (1811) Observations on the Tin Trade of the Ancients in Cornwall. London 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.
Himilco described his journeys as quite harrowing, repeatedly reporting sea monsters and seaweed,Avienius, V. 113-128 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.Roller, Duane W. (2006). Through the pillars of Herakles: Greco-Roman exploration of the Atlantic. Taylor & Francis, pp. 27-28.
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