Arrian’s Voyage: A Roman Guide to the Black Sea

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Imagine a time when the Roman Empire stretched across most of the known world. It wasn’t all about gladiators and grand buildings in Rome; it was also about the nitty-gritty work of running a massive, multicultural state. This meant inspecting distant frontiers, keeping the peace, and understanding the lands and people under Roman rule. One of the most fascinating glimpses we have into this world comes from a man named Arrian and his official report, The Voyage Round the Euxine Sea.

This isn’t just a dusty old document. It’s a real-life travel log from the edge of the Roman world, written around AD 131. Think of it as a cross between a government inspection report, a travel diary, and an ancient Google Maps survey of the Black Sea coast. Arrian, the governor of a Roman province, sailed along the shores of what is now Turkey, Georgia, and Russia, taking notes on everything he saw.

For anyone in Britain, where the Romans also left a huge mark with Hadrian’s Wall and the city of Londinium, Arrian’s journey offers a brilliant parallel. It shows us how the Romans managed another, very different, frontier. It’s a story of exploration, military strategy, and a deep curiosity about the world, written by one of the most capable men of his time. So, let’s set sail with Arrian and explore the wonders and dangers of the ancient Black Sea.

Who Was Arrian? The Governor Who Wrote It All Down

Before we dive into the voyage itself, it’s worth getting to know the man behind it. Lucius Flavius Arrianus, or Arrian as we know him, was no ordinary Roman official. He was a bit of a star in his day, known for being a soldier, a politician, a historian, and a philosopher.

A Greek Mind in a Roman World

Arrian was born around AD 86 in what is now northern Turkey. What’s interesting is that he was a Greek. At this time, the Roman Empire was a melting pot of cultures, and it wasn’t unusual for talented people from the provinces to rise to the top. Arrian spoke and wrote in Greek, the language of culture and learning, but he was a loyal and high-ranking Roman citizen. This dual identity is key to understanding his work. He had the practical, organised mindset of a Roman administrator but the intellectual curiosity of a Greek scholar.

He was a student of the famous Stoic philosopher Epictetus and wrote down his teacher’s ideas, which we can still read today. But he wasn’t just a thinker. Arrian was a man of action.

A Trusted Friend of the Emperor

Arrian’s career took off under the rule of Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian was one of the “Five Good Emperors,” famous for his love of Greek culture, his extensive travels across the empire, and his focus on securing its borders rather than endlessly expanding them. Think of Hadrian’s Wall in northern England—that was his project, designed to manage the frontier.

Hadrian saw a kindred spirit in Arrian: a cultured, intelligent, and capable military man. He appointed Arrian as the governor (legatus Augusti pro praetore) of Cappadocia, a massive and strategically important province in eastern Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). This was a huge deal. Cappadocia bordered the kingdom of Armenia and was a buffer zone against the powerful Parthian Empire, Rome’s biggest rival in the east. It was a tough, military-heavy job, and it shows just how much Hadrian trusted him. It was during his time as governor, around AD 131, that Arrian undertook his famous voyage.

The World of the Euxine Sea: The Edge of the Empire

So, what was this “Euxine Sea” that Arrian was sailing around? Today, we call it the Black Sea. To the ancient Greeks and Romans, it was a place of myth, trade, and strategic importance.

From the ‘Inhospitable’ to the ‘Hospitable’ Sea

The Greeks originally called it the Pontos Axeinos, which means the “Inhospitable Sea.” Early sailors found its storms, foggy coasts, and seemingly hostile local tribes terrifying. But as they established colonies and trade routes, they changed its name to Pontos Euxeinos—the “Hospitable Sea.” It was a classic bit of rebranding, meant to encourage more people to travel and trade there.

By Arrian’s time, the Euxine was a busy place. The southern and western coasts were dotted with ancient Greek cities that were now part of the Roman Empire. The northern and eastern coasts, however, were wilder. This was the frontier, home to a patchwork of tribes and small kingdoms that were either allied with Rome, hostile to it, or somewhere in between.

A Frontier of Strategy and Trade

For Rome, the Euxine was vital for a few key reasons:

Military Buffer: The eastern coast was a crucial defensive line. Roman forts and allied kingdoms helped protect the rich provinces of Asia Minor from nomadic tribes from the north, like the Alans.
Trade Routes: The sea was a highway for trade, connecting the Mediterranean world with the Caucasus, and from there to the Silk Road. Goods like grain, fish, timber, and metals flowed through its ports.
Recruitment: The region was a source of auxiliary soldiers for the Roman army—non-citizen troops who provided specialised skills.

Arrian’s job as governor of Cappadocia included managing this complex and sometimes volatile frontier. His voyage wasn’t a holiday cruise; it was an official inspection tour, or periplus.

The Periplus: More Than Just a Sailor’s Log

The book Arrian wrote is called the Periplus of the Euxine Sea. The word periplus (from Greek, meaning “a sailing around”) was a specific genre of writing. It was essentially a set of sailing directions, a logbook describing a coastal voyage. A typical periplus would list harbours, landmarks, distances between points, and notes on the local people and resources.

But Arrian’s Periplus is special. It’s written in the form of a personal letter to his boss and friend, Emperor Hadrian. This gives it a unique, slightly informal tone. It’s an official report, but it’s also a conversation with the emperor, filled with literary allusions, historical tidbits, and personal observations.

The voyage itself likely only covered the eastern half of the sea, starting from the main Roman port of Trapezus (modern Trabzon in Turkey) and going as far as Dioscurias (near modern Sukhumi in Abkhazia/Georgia), a key Roman outpost at the far end of the sea. The report describes the coast clockwise from Trapezus, but it’s likely Arrian’s fleet sailed anti-clockwise up the coast and he simply organised his notes in a more traditional format.

The purpose of the trip was clear:

Inspect the Garrisons: Check on the Roman forts and soldiers stationed along the coast.
Gather Intelligence: Learn about the local tribes, their loyalties, and their military strength.
Assess Infrastructure: Evaluate the state of the harbours and supply lines.

It was a vital piece of frontier management, ensuring the edge of the empire was secure.

The Voyage Itself: A Trip Along an Ancient Coastline

Let’s retrace Arrian’s steps. He sets out from Trapezus, the headquarters of a Roman legion and the most important military and naval base in the region. His account is incredibly detailed, almost like he’s ticking off a checklist for the emperor.

Leg I: From Trapezus to the River Phasis

As he sails east from Trapezus, Arrian meticulously records the distances between places in stadia (an ancient unit of measurement, about 185 metres). He notes every river, anchorage, and small town.

He describes places like the “Holy Mountain” and mentions the ruins of Greek temples. This is Arrian the scholar showing off his knowledge of Greek history and myth. He connects what he’s seeing to the ancient stories his educated readers, like Hadrian, would know and love—especially the story of Jason and the Argonauts, who were said to have sailed these very waters in their quest for the Golden Fleece.

When he reaches the River Phasis (modern Rioni in Georgia), he inspects the Roman fort there. He notes with satisfaction that the 400 soldiers in the garrison are “select troops” and that the fort’s defences are in good order. He checks the supplies, the medical facilities, and the ditch and wall surrounding the fort. This is Arrian the diligent Roman governor, ensuring military readiness.

He also notes the local people, the Lazi, whose king is a client of Rome. This was a common arrangement on the frontiers. Rome would support a local ruler in exchange for their loyalty, creating a stable buffer state.

Leg II: To the Edge at Dioscurias

Continuing north, the coastline becomes wilder. Arrian describes the various tribes living in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains—the Apsilae, the Abasci, and the Sanigae. Some of these tribes were loyal to Rome, while others were less reliable.

His final destination is Dioscurias, a remote but important Roman outpost. He describes its location as being at the “very extremity of the Euxine.” Here, the Romans were projecting power deep into a tribal area. He notes the impressive ruins of the ancient Greek city that once stood there, again linking the Roman present to the Greek past. He also mentions that the local tribes are unruly and that their kings only rule because Rome allows them to. It’s a stark reminder of Roman power, even at the furthest fringes of its influence.

What Arrian’s Report Tells Us

Reading the Periplus is like looking over a Roman governor’s shoulder. We learn a huge amount about how the empire worked on the ground.

A Detailed Landscape: Arrian gives us a precise map of the coastline as it was in the 2nd century AD. Archaeologists and historians have used his descriptions to locate ancient settlements and understand the geography of the region. He notes things like whether a harbour is safe in a southerly wind or where ships can find fresh water—practical details vital for any sailor.
Military Precision: The report is filled with military details. He talks about the number of soldiers, the state of fortifications, and the strategic importance of different locations. He even mentions paying the soldiers their wages and giving them a bonus, a key part of keeping the army happy and loyal.
Roman Diplomacy: Arrian’s account shows how Rome managed its frontiers through a mix of direct military presence and diplomacy. He deals with “client kings,” local rulers who were allies of Rome. He assesses their loyalty and importance, showing the delicate dance of power that kept the borders peaceful.
A Personal Touch: The letter format makes the report come alive. He addresses Hadrian directly, saying things like, “A statue of yourself is in a position that is worthy of you,” when describing a monument at Trapezus. He also includes little bits of poetry and references to the historian Xenophon, who had marched through the same area centuries earlier. This blend of official business and scholarly charm is what makes Arrian’s work so unique.

The Broader Significance: Why Does This Ancient Logbook Matter Today?

Arrian’s Periplus might seem like a niche historical document, but it offers invaluable insights that still resonate. It’s a snapshot of the Roman Empire at its peak, under the thoughtful rule of Hadrian, and provides a model of careful, intelligent administration.

A Window into Roman Imperialism

This isn’t a story of brutal conquest. It’s about the less dramatic, but equally important, business of maintaining an empire. Arrian’s voyage shows a form of “soft power.” He isn’t there to conquer new lands but to secure what Rome already controls. He’s observing, assessing, and ensuring the smooth running of the imperial machine.

For a British audience, this has interesting echoes of the British Empire. The challenges of managing distant frontiers, dealing with local leaders, and gathering intelligence were faced by British administrators in India or Africa centuries later. Arrian’s work is a case study in the timeless challenges of governing a large, diverse territory.

A Source for Historians and Archaeologists

The Periplus is a goldmine of information. It provides precise geographical data that has helped scholars map the ancient Black Sea. The names of tribes, towns, and rivers he records have helped piece together the history of a region that has few other written sources from this period.

For example, when Arrian describes the forts and the troop deployments, he gives us a concrete picture of the Roman military presence in the Caucasus. Archaeologists digging in Georgia and Turkey can use his text to help interpret their findings.

A Human Story

Beyond the military and political details, Arrian’s Periplus is a human document. It’s the work of a highly educated and capable man doing his job. His curiosity about the world around him shines through. He’s interested in history, in odd local stories, and in the natural landscape.

He mentions a rock where, according to legend, the anchor of the Argo (Jason’s ship) was kept. He says he saw it but notes that it looked too new to be ancient. It’s a wonderful moment of a practical, skeptical Roman mind examining an ancient myth. He’s interested in the story, but he also has an eye for the facts.

The Legacy of Arrian’s Voyage

Arrian’s journey around the Euxine Sea was just one small part of his successful career. A few years after his voyage, he faced a real military threat when a tribe called the Alans invaded his province. Arrian marched his legions out to meet them, and his careful preparations and strategy were so impressive that the Alans retreated without a major battle. His plan of battle, the Ectaxis contra Alanos, also survives and shows his skill as a military commander.

His voyage and his report, however, have a legacy all their own. They stand as one of the best surviving examples of a Roman periplus and a testament to the efficient, detail-oriented nature of Roman administration at its best.

In a world before satellites and GPS, knowledge of the coastline was precious. Reports like Arrian’s were the foundation of Roman control. They allowed the emperor in Rome to have a clear picture of what was happening hundreds of miles away on a distant, wild frontier.

For us, it remains a compelling read. It’s a journey back in time to the edge of a great empire, guided by a man who was both a soldier and a scholar, a Roman governor with the soul of a Greek explorer. It reminds us that history isn’t just about grand battles and famous emperors; it’s also about the quiet, diligent work that held the ancient world together.

Sailing with the Romans: The Guide to Arrian’s Voyage Round the Euxine Sea