Record Number: 33639

---

Reading Experience:

Evidence:

I am reading the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea (how much prettier a name than Red Sea): it was an old commercial chart by an unknown Greek of Alexandria in the first century - the first account of these shores, which the Arabian traders tried to keep wrapped in mystery so that Roman commerce should not enter. It is very pleasant to sit and read it on deck while the gulfs and bays unroll before one.

Century:

1900-1945

Date:

18 Dec 1934

Country:

Onboard ship in the Rea Sea, off the coast of Yemen

Time

daytime

Place:

county: Yemen
other location: On board ship off the coast of Aden

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

---

Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Freya Stark

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

31 Jan 1893

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

Travel writer

Religion:

Christian

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

Onboard ship in the Rea Sea, off the coast of Yemen

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a

Additional Comments:

n/a

---

Text Being Read:

Author:

[Anon] [Anon]

Title:

Periplus of the Erythrean Sea

Genre:

History, Geography / Travel, Reference / General works

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

unknown
Possibly read in English translation, although Stark was a competent reader of Latin

---

Source Information:

Record ID:

33639

Source:

Print

Author:

Freya Stark

Editor:

n/a

Title:

The Coast of Incense: Autobiography, 1933-1939

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1953

Vol:

n/a

Page:

39

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Freya Stark, The Coast of Incense: Autobiography, 1933-1939, (London, 1953), p. 39, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=33639, accessed: 13 March 2025

---

Additional Comments:

Dame Freya Madeline Stark (31 Jan 1893 - 9 May 1993) was a British explorer and travel writer. This reading experience took place on board ship off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, while heading towards Aden.