(Τόπαζος; Tópazos). Island, of which Pliny gives a detailed account, allegedly the place of origin of the name of the precious stone topaz. According to Plin. HN 37,24;108 it was 300 stadia from the Arabian coast in the Red Sea, and in the language of the Trogodytae T. means 'seek', since the fog-enshrouded island often had to be looked for by seafarers. It appears as an Indian island in Steph. Byz. s.v. Τοπάζιος.
Topazos(80 words)
Cite this page
Kessler, Karlheinz (Emskirchen), “Topazos”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 16 December 2019 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1217370>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510
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