You can download the latest updated xls table.
You can download this map as a kml file.
Ancient port mentioned by ancient author(s)
Ancient port mentioned by modern author(s) only
Potential ancient harbour, from a nautical point of view
| NB | Ancient name | Modern name |
| 3710 | Prasum prom. | Cabo Delgado? in front of the Commore islands |
| 3710.1 | Quiloa | Kilwa Kisiwani island & Songo Mnara island, this area of Swahili culture might be beyond the southern limit of pre-islamic trading ports as archaeology has not (yet?) found any older artefacts |
| 3711 | Rhapta, Rapta, capital city of the country of Azania, Panchea | archaeo finds at Kibiti (Chami, 1998), on R Rufiji, but Dar es Salaam remains a good candidate if Menuthias is Pemba island |
| 3712 | Mafiaco insula | Ukunju cave, on Juani-Mafia island |
| 3713 | Menuthias insula, Island of the Sun, Panara, in country of Azania | Unguja Ukuu, on Zanzibar island ; note that Ptolemy means Madagascar when speaking about Menuthias insula |
| 3714 | Pemba island, is also a candidate for Menuthias insula | |
| 3715 | Pyraloi insulae, in country of Azania | Lamu archipelago, with Manda, Pate & Lamu islands |
| 3715.1 | Toniki, Tonice Prom., in country of Azania | Burgabo, Burgao? on R Burgabo |
| 3715.2 | Gondal? | Kismayo, Kismaayo, near Goobweyn on R Juba |
| 3716 | Nicon, Nikon, in country of Azania | Barawa, Brava? |
| 3717 | Essina, in country of Azania | Merka, Marka? Gendershe, Gonderscia? |
| 3718 | Sarapion Prom., in country of Azania | Mogadishu? Warsheikh? |
| 3719 | Opone: Pwenet, Pwene, Pouen, Opone, Ophir?? Land of Punt? | Ras Hafun, Xaafuun, other possible locations for Punt are Mundus, Mosylium and Adulis |
| 3720 | Pano | Bay of Chori Hordio? (or Ras Binna?) |
| 3721 | Cape Tabae, Tabai | Ras Binna? now silted up (or Ras Shenarif, Chenarif, where no shelter is to be found?) |
| 3722 | Dioscoridis insula, Panchaia, Fortunate islands | Isle of Socotra, Suqutra |
| 3723 | Hajriya | Hadiboh on Socotra island |
| 3724 | Kosh on Socotra island | |
| 3725 | Akroterion, Aronaton, Tera Aromatica, Aromatifera Regio, Market and Cape of Spices, Cap des Aromates | Possibly Daamo, Damo, 5 km west of Cape Guardafui, Ras Asir, Ras Caseyr |
| 3726 | Acana, Acannae, Daphnon Magnum, Cinocephali waters | Ras Alula, Bandar Ululah, Caluula |
| 3727 | Cape Elephas, Elephantas | Ras Felug, Filuk, Filuch, el-Fil |
| 3728 | Cobe | Xabo, Abot fort? |
| 3729 | Daphnon Parvum | Bandar Muriyeh, Murcaayo |
| 3730 | Psygmus, Psyglatus | Qandala, Candala |
| 3731 | Mosylium, Mosylon Emporion, below the Karkaar frankincense production area | Elayo, Elayu? The black volcanic cliffs may have been taken for a promontory. Another possible location is Bosasso, 33 km East of Elayo. Also possible is Ras Hantara, 78 km NE of Elayo, below the Karkaar frankincense production area |
| 3732 | Mundus, Mondou Emporion, below the Cal Madow frankincense production area, Land of Punt? Ophir?? | Salweyn, near Heis, Xiis. Other possible locations for Punt are Adulis and Opone |
| 3733 | Khor Shoreh, Shoora | |
| 3734 | Malao | Berbera, can be seen as the port of Hargeisa (inland) where Neolithic cave paintings have been found |
| 3734.1 | Bulhar, on R Issutuggan | |
| 3735 | Avalitae, Avalites, Abalites, Aualis | Zeila, Saylac, in Somalia, 50 km East of Djibouti. Avalites seems to be located with some certainty at Zeila (in Somalia) on a former island protected by a sand spit |
| 3736 | Port of Isis | Djibouti? The Port of Isis is at ten days of navigation under oar (500-1000 km) from Adulis according to Pliny, which leads near Djibouti (at 660 km) with its two islands located just in front of the port, as indicated by Pliny |
| 3737 | Guinni Koma, ile du Diable, inside Ghoubbet el-Karab, Monfreid’s Gubet Karab | |
| 3738 | Obock | |
| 3739 | Khor Omeira, Monfreid’s Kor Omeira | |
| 3740 | Ras Imran | |
| 3741 | Eudaimon Arabia, Porto, Adane | Aden |
| 3742 | Mesala | al-‘Asala, am-‘Asala |
| 3743 | Abisama, Ambisama, Ebisma | Ras Sanbah? |
| 3744 | Bal Haf, Balihaf | |
| 3745 | Qana, Cana, Qani, Kane, port of the Hadramawites | Husn al-Ghurab (“Crow’s fort”, Fort du Corbeau), at Mawiyat, near Bir Ali |
| 3746 | PM: Saba, Sheba, ancient capital city of Sabean kingdom | PM: Marib |
| 3747 | Ras Majdahah | |
| 3748 | Khor al-Mukalla | |
| 3749 | al-Shirh | |
| 3750 | Trulla, Tralla portus? | Ras Sharma |
| 3751 | Thialemath? | al-Musayn’a |
| 3752 | Tritus, Tretos, Pretos portus? | Ras Sharwayn |
| 3753 | Khaisat, South of Ras Fartak | |
| 3754 | Syagrus, Syagros, Suagros | Khalfat, on wadi Khalfut, North of Ras Fartak |
| 3755 | Ausara, Omana bay | Al-Ghayda? |
| 3756 | Neogilla, Neogeiala | Roman naval base at Damkot, Damqawt? |
| 3757 | Bosara, Boseude, Kosara, Koseude | al-Maghsil? |
| 3758 | Salalah, Raysut | |
| 3759 | al-Baleed | |
| 3760 | Moscha, Abyssa, Sumhuram, below the Dhofar frankincense production area | Khor Rori, at the outlet of wadi Darbat, near Taqah |
| 3761 | Asich, Asichon, Ascita, at western end of sinus Sachalites | Ras Hasik, at western end of Khuriya Muriya bay |
| 3762 | Serapis insula | Mazirah island |
| 3763 | Ras al-Jinz, al-Hawrah | |
| 3764 | Korodamon? Coromane? | Ras al-Hadd |
| 3765 | Sour | |
| 3766 | Qalhat, near wadi Hilm | |
| 3767 | Bandar Khairan | |
| 3768 | Cryptus portus, Amithoscuta, export of copper from Magan country (copper mountain)? | Muscat, Mascate |
| 3769 | Batrasava? Dimma | Seeb, Sib |
| 3770 | al-Suwadi, Sawadi | |
| 3770.1 | Sohar | |
| 3771 | Port Leupas | al-Liwa, Lua |
| 3772 | Khor Kalba | |
| 3773 | Port of Mount Orsa | Khor Fakkan, Chorfakan |
| 3774 | Dibba al-Hisn | |
| 3775 | port of Goboea | Cuscan according to Forster, Haffah Bay?? |
| 3776 | Asabon, Asabi, Asaborum, Maketa, Mane, Maka Prom. | Jazirat al-Ghanam, Cape Musandam, Mussendom |
| 3777 | Port Machorbe | al-Rams, Rhums |
| 3778 | Rhegma, Regama, Raamah? | Kush, near Ras el-Khaïmah |
| 3779 | Ommana, Omana, Omanum emporium? belonging to the archaic Dilmun empire? | al-Dur, ed-Dur, next to Khor al-Beidah, in Umm al-Quwain Emirate |
| 3779.1 | Belonging to the country of Magan? Makkan, Makkash, Maka, Qade | Tell Abraq |
| 3780 | Jumeirah, Dubai | |
| 3781 | Belonging to the country of Magan? Makkan, Makkash, Maka, Qade, export of copper | Umm al-Nar, connected to the copper-rich Hajar mountains in Oman |
| 3782 | Taboca, Cadara, belonging to the archaic Dilmun empire | Qatar |
| 3783 | al-Uqayr, Uqair fort of uncertain date | |
| 3784 | Gerrha, belonging to the archaic Dilmun empire? | Tell al-Zayer at Thaj, is not a port but a major trade city with a port probably located somewhere between Ras Tanura and Jubail |
| 3785 | Tylos, Tyrus insula, Arados insula on the Leanite bay, centre of the archaic Dilmun empire | Qalat al-Bahrain fort |
| 3785.1 | Bilad al-Qadim, near al-Khamish and al-Hassam mosques, Bahrain | |
| 3785.2 | Saar temple, Bahrain | |
| 3785.3 | Barbar temple, Bahrain | |
| 3786 | Ain as Sayh, near al-Khobar | |
| 3787 | Dammam | |
| 3788 | belonging to the archaic Dilmun empire? | Darin, on Tarout island |
| 3789 | Qatif | |
| 3790 | Ayn Jawan | |
| 3791 | Dosariyah | |
| 3792 | Jabal Berri | |
| 3793 | Burgan hill, Koweith | |
| 3794 | Akarum, Ichara, Ikaros, Icarus insula, belonging to the archaic Dilmun empire | Tell Khazneh & Tell Sa’ad & Tell Sa’aid, on the isle of Failaka, Koweith |
| 3795 | Akarum, Ichara, Ikaros, Icarus insula, belonging to the archaic Dilmun empire | al-Khor, al-Khidr, on the isle of Failaka, Koweith |
| 3796 | Itamos, Tamus portus, belonging to the archaic Dilmun empire? | Koweith |
| 3797 | Tell Akkaz, Koweith | |
| 3798 | Umm an-Namel, Koweith | |
| 3799 | Subiyah, Koweith | |
| 3800 | Teredon, Teriton, Diritotis, Didotis | very uncertain location North of Bubiyan island |
| 3801 | Apologos, on R Euphrates | very uncertain location near as-Zubayr |
| 3802 | Forat, on R Pasitigris | near ad-Dayr, about 10 km downstreams of Charax |
| 3803 | Charax Spasinou, Spasinu Caras, Alexandria, Antiochia, Maisan on the Mesanites bay? on R Pasitigris | Jebel Khayabir, about 15 km SE of al-Qurna and about 40 km NW of Basra, on R Shatt el-Arab |
| 3804 | Lagash, archaic capital of the Sumerian country | Tell al-Hiba |
| 3805 | Girsu | Tell Telloh |
| 3805.1 | Nigin, Nina, Nenua | Tell Zurghul |
| 3806 | Ur, Uri, Sumerian Urim, North Port | Tell el-Muqayyar, with “two off-river basins enclosed within the walls of Ur” acc. to Blackman (1982, p92) |
| 3806.1 | Ur, Uri, Sumerian Urim, West Port | Tell el-Muqayyar, with “two off-river basins enclosed within the walls of Ur” acc. to Blackman (1982, p92) |
| 3806.2 | Port of Ur? | Tal Abu Tbeirah, 6 km south of Nasiriyah |
| 3807 | Uruk, Orchoe, Erech, Orikut | Warka |
| 3808 | Borsippa, Burs, Dorista? | Birs Nimrud |
| 3809 | Babylon, Babel | Babylon |
| 3809.1 | Akkad, Agade, archaic capital of the Akkadian country, Diniktum? | Tell Muhammad? at confluence of R Tigris and R Diyala |
| 3809.2 | Susa, Shushan, Seleucia ad Eulaeum, on R Eulaeus | Sush, Suze, located between two rivers: R Karkheh and R Dez-Karun |
| 3809.3 | Aginis, on R Eulaeus | possibly in this area |
| 3810 | Hypothetical ancient outlet of R Mogeus, Mogaios, Mosaios | Near modern outlet of R Karun |
| 3810.1 | Sinus Pelodes, Sinus Steloas, located by Marcian between R Mogaeus and R Eulaeus, with a Taxiana insula | Possibly in this area which is now being filled with sediment from R Jarrahi |
| 3810.2 | Hypothetical ancient outlet of R Eulaeus, Ulai, Ulaya, flowing through Susa | R Eulaeus is usually identified with R Karkheh, but could also be R Dez-Karun as both rivers lead to Susa |
| 3810.3 | Muddy shallows | Obviously not a port, but shoal possibly located at an ancient outlet of R Jarrahi |
| 3810.4 | Taxiana insula, located by Marcian in front of lake Palode | Dara island? |
| 3810.5 | Margastana insula, at mouth of lake Kataderbis | possibly in this area |
| 3811 | Mahruban, on R Oroatis, R Arosis, R Shirin | submerged city, on R Zoreh, R Hendiyan, R Tab, or on an ancient eastward course of R Karun |
| 3812 | Siniz, on R Brizana? | Bandar Siniz, South of Bandar Daylam |
| 3813 | Jannaba | Bandar Ganaweh |
| 3813.1 | R Rhogonis, Rhogomanis, Rogonis | Darreh Gap, near Bandar Rig |
| 3814 | Sophtha insula, Arakia insula? | Kharg island |
| 3815 | Tawwaj, aka Tuj | Zirah, on R Shapur, upstream of R Rud-e Hilleh |
| 3815.1 | Temukan, Taoke, on R Granis, Dratinus | Bardak Siah Palace, at Doroudgah on R Dalaki, near Borazjan |
| 3815.2 | Tul-e Khandagh fortress, at Deh Qa’ed | |
| 3815.3 | Charkhab Palace, at Borazjan | |
| 3815.4 | Khosh Ab, Khoshaab | |
| 3815.5 | Isavendeh, Eisovand | |
| 3816 | Shif, in front of Shif island | |
| 3817 | Mesambria, port of Liyan | Bushir, Bushehr |
| 3817.1 | Antiocheia Persidos? | Bushir, or near Bushir |
| 3818 | Liyan, Ionaka? | Tepeh Sabzabad, Tol-e Peytul, near Rishir, Rishahr, Rayshahr, Rivard Ardashir, Bokht Ardeshir |
| 3819 | R Padagrus | Bay of Halileh, north of Delvar |
| 3820 | Hieratis, Heratemis | South of Delvar |
| 3821 | R Sitacus, R Brisoana? | R Rodjanh |
| 3822 | Ausinza, Ausizan | Cape Verdistan, west of Bandar Dayer |
| 3823 | Gogana, near R Areon | Bataneh, near Bandar Dayer |
| 3824 | Siraf, Tahiri | Bandar Siraf, ancient city wall on the beach between R Kunarak (west) and R Shilou (east) |
| 3825 | R Badagra, Bagrada | Large bay south of Assalouyeh and north of cape Nabon |
| 3825.1 | Apostana | near Teban beach? |
| 3826 | Ochus | near Bostano? |
| 3827 | pearl fishers’ island | Lavan island |
| 3828 | Eas, behind Kaikandros, Cecandrus insula | Hendurabi island |
| 3829 | Kataia, Cataea insula | Kish, Qeys island |
| 3830 | Sisidona, Sidodona, Themistias Prom.? | Bandar Shenas |
| 3831 | unnamed insula | Greater Tunb island |
| 3832 | Oaracta insula, Oorachtha, Oracta, Ogyris? in front of R Salsos, R Korius | Qeshm island, in front of R Rud-e Shur |
| 3832.1 | Agedana insula, Sagdana? | Larak island, where “red lead” (iron ore) is found |
| 3833 | Organa insula, Jarun island, in front of R Daras? | Hormuz island |
| 3834 | Harmozeia, Harmozan, Armuzia, near R Anamis, R Saganos | R Minab, R Ibrahemi, near Kolahi |
| 3835 | Neoptana, Portus Macedonum? on R Hyctanis? | near Bandar e-Kargan |
| 3836 | Karpella | Ras el-Kuh Mobarak, Bombareek |
| 3837 | Badis | Cape Jask |
| 3837.1 | R Salarus | 25 km west of Mohammadabad |
| 3838 | Dagaseira, Dagasira | Port Lyrdf |
| 3839 | Troesi, Troea | Khor Galak |
| 3840 | Samydake, Caumatis, Kanthatis, Kanate | Tang |
| 3840.1 | R Samydacus | |
| 3840.2 | Pola, Polla insula? | Area between Pozm Tiyak and Konarak, where a large island may have been connected to the mainland by a tombolo |
| 3841 | Kanasida, Tesa, Tysa, Tyz | Tiz, Churbar bay, Chabahar bay |
| 3842 | Talmena, Kandriakes, near R Hydrianeus, Hydriacus? | Lipar, on Chabahar Pink Lake |
| 3843 | Bageia, Bagia Prom. | Beris |
| 3844 | Kyiza, Kuitza, Guitza | Kushat? Arrian mentions anchoring in front of a beach with heavy surf ; Marcian mentions a port, presumably Pasabandar |
| 3845 | Alambatera, Alambater, Alabagium Prom. with Ziba, Liba insula | Ras Fasta, at Pasabandar, but unidentified Ziba island |
| 3846 | Kophas, Kophanta, Gophanta, near R Cophes | Jiwani, inside Guttar, Gwatar bay, near outlet of R Dasht Kaur (Marcian erroneously places Carmina insula in this area) |
| 3847 | Deren-Obila, Dendrobosa | Pishukan (Marcian seems to have inverted Derenobilla and Cophanta) |
| 3848 | Barna, Barada, Badara, Balara insula | Kuh Batil at Gwadar |
| 3849 | Balomus, on R Zorambos, Zorombos | R Saie Kaur |
| 3850 | Mosarna, Musarna | silted-up West of Ras Jaddi, near Pasni and outlet of R Shadi |
| 3851 | Kissa, Cissa, Karbis, Carbis | Pasni, near outlet of R Shadi Kaur |
| 3851.1 | Carmina, Karmine, Asthala insula, called Asthea insula by Ptolemy, Nosala insula, Solis insula, Selera insula, Nympharum Cubile | Astola, Haptalar, island ; acc. to Arrian’s description, Carmina insula is located in the country of Fish-eaters between Cape Jask and Ras Malan, and could thus be here |
| 3852 | Kabyla, Kalama Kolpos, in front of Carmina, Karmine insula, also called Nosala insula? | Khor Kalmat |
| 3853 | Kolta, Colta | Outlet of R Basol? |
| 3854 | Bagasira, Pasira | Ormara |
| 3854.1 | Malana Prom., Maleus Mons | Ras Malan |
| 3855 | Stobera, on R Tomerus, Tonberus, Tuberus | Kund Malir, on R Hingol |
| 3856 | Kokala, Origala? Oritene? Horaia? Oraea? Ora? Bardaxima? Argenuus? port of Alexandria Rhambakia, Rambacia? | unlocated anchorage in open sea in front of the shore, near outlet of R Phor, Alexandria is possibly located at Khandewari (west end of Miani Hor)? or at Uthal on R Kharari (now inland)? |
| 3857 | Kabana, Cabana | unlocated anchorage in open sea in front of the shore, south of Miani Hor lagoon (outlet of R Porali)? or near Siranda lake (now inland)? |
| 3857.1 | Pagala, Pagadae, Pagana | anchorage in open sea in front of the shore, possibly near Naka Kharari? |
| 3858 | R Aarabes, Artabis, Arabius, Nabris Cabirus | Sunera, on R Hub, Hab, in front of Churna, Charna island, near Ras Muari, Cape Monze |
| 3859 | Morontobara, Gynaikon Limen, Marogomatrae? Rhapraua? | Karachi, behind Manora reef |
| 3860 | Sakala, Sacala | unlocated, near Bambhore? |
| 3860.1 | Cilluta insula, Scillustis, Psiltucis | Makli hill, now inland |
| 3860.2 | second island (offshore) visited by Alexander | Shah Aqeeq hill, now inland |
| 3860.3 | Saranga, Sarapa, Sorofages | unlocated, near Golarchi? |
| 3860.4 | Domai, Coralliba insula | near Talhar? |
| 3860.5 | Alexandrou Limen, Portus Macedonum, on R Sagapa, Sangada, Sinthos, behind insula Bibacta, Bibaga, Barbarikon, Barbaricum, Barace, Abies | near Tando Ghulam Ali? |
| 3860.6 | Krokala, Cocala insula | west of Jhuddo? |
| 3860.7 | Canthi, Xilenopolis, Great lake, Samara lake, Nearchus’ naval base, on eastern branch of Sinthus | swamp near Goth Sikaryari? |
| 3860.8 | Patala, Pattala, Potana, on R Sinthos, archaic Meluhha empire? | Possibly NE of Nasarpur, other possibilties: Thatta? Hyderabad? Brahminabad near Sanghar? on R Indus |
| 3860.9 | Monoglossum emporium, at outlet of R Mophidis | Jamnagar? medieval Nawanagar, Noanagar, at outlet of R Rangmati (speculative location) : acc. to Ptolemy, Monoglossum and R Mophides are close to each other inside Canthicolpo (Gulf of Kutch), which also contains Barace insula now assimilated to Dwarka ; Acc. to Mar Erythr Periplus, Baraca bay (Gulf of Kutch) is very dangerous sailing and ships should stop at its entrance (Dwarka). |
| 3861 | Barake insula, in Baraca sinus, Kanthi sinus, Canthicolpo | Isle of Dwarka, in Gulf of Kutch |
| 3861.1 | Lothal, on R Sabarmati | |
| 3861.2 | Barygaza, Barugaza, on R Namadus | Bharuch, on R Narmada |
| 3861.3 | Kammoni, Kammanes, Camanes | Kamrej, on R Tapi, with other sites at Jokha and Dhatva |
| 3861.4 | Suppara, Souppara, Supparaka, near R Gaoris, Goaris | Waliv Talao, at Nala Sopara |
| 3861.5 | Kalliena | Kalyana, on R Ulhas |
| 3861.6 | Elephanta insula, near Heptanesia | Gharapuri island, near Mumbay, on Thane Creek |
| 3862 | Semylla, Semulla | Korlai Fort, at outlet of R Kundulika |
| 3862.1 | Mandagora, Mandargiri, Mandgor, Nanaguna | Bankot Fort, at outlet of R Savitri |
| 3862.2 | Palaepatmae, Palaipatmai | Dabhol, on R Vashishthi |
| 3862.3 | Melizigara, Sigerus | Rajapur Bay? |
| 3862.4 | Byzantium | Vijayadrug Fort? at outlet of R Vaghotan |
| 3862.5 | Togarus | Devgad Fort, at outlet of R Devgad |
| 3862.6 | Aurannoboas, Erannoboas | Malwan |
| 3862.7 | Nirria, Nitries, Nitrias, Nitra emporium | Karwar, Carwar, on R Kalinadi |
| 3863 | Naura, Naoura | Kannur, Cannanore |
| 3863.1 | Tyndis, Tundis | Ponnani, at outlet of R Bharathapuzha |
| 3864 | Muziris, Muzuris, on R Pseudostomi | Pattanam, near R Periyar |
| 3864.1 | Nelcynda, Neacyndi, Nelkunda, Melcynda, Melkunda, Nincylda, Nilcinna | Niranam, on R Pampa |
| 3864.2 | Barace, Bakare, on R Baris | Purakkad, at outlet of R Pampa |
| 3864.3 | Elancor, Elancorum emporium | Kollam, Quilon? |
| 3864.4 | Rufus, Red Mount, Red Cliffs | Varkala |
| 3864.5 | Balita, near cape Komarei, Comari, Comorin | Vizhinjam, near cape Kanyakumari |
| 3864.6 | Kolkhoi, Kolchi, Tuticorin, near R Solenis | Thoothukudi, Korkai, near R Thamirabarani |
| 3865 | Priapidis portus, on Taprobane insula | Chilaw? |
| 3865.1 | Odoka, on Taprobane insula | Galle? |
| 3865.2 | Mordi portus, Palaesimundum? on Taprobane insula | Gadavaya? on R Walawe |