Himilco the Navigator

Himilco (Phoenician Chimilkât), Carthaginian navigator and explorer lived in 6th century BC.

Himilco is the first known sailor from the Mediterranean Sea to reach the northwestern shores of Europe. His lost account of his adventures is quoted by Roman writers. The oldest available source on Himilco's voyage is Pliny's Natural History by the Roman scientist Pliny the Elder.

Himilco was the member of one of the leading family in Carthage. Himilco sailed north along of Atlantic coast of today Spain, Portugal and France. He reached territory of the Oestrumnides , tribe living in Britanny (northwestern France). Himilco was not (according to Avienus) first to sail the northern Atlantic ocean; According to Avenius Himilco followed the route used by the Tartessians of southern Iberia.

See also

• List of explorers