Ptolemy.
Claudius Ptolemy, the Pelusian (flor. A.D. 159-161) notices θούλη in nine places. After correcting (book i., chap. 20, §§ 7, 8,[11] = p. 17[12]) the errors of Maximus of Tyre, he says (book i., chap. 24, § 4, = p. 19): “Consequently also the parallel passing through Thule shall be laid down as ν β’ (52) sections from η το ζ η, along the lines of latitude ξ, ο, π.” The same chapter (§ 6, = p. 20) tells us, “Also shall be comprehended the interval between ο and κ southwards, that is, between the parallels passing through Thule and through Rhodes κ ζ (27) sections.” Thirdly, the same chapter (§ 17, = p. 22) continues: “κ, through which shall be described the line (of latitude) defining the north, and falling on the island of Thule.” Fourthly, in the same (§ 20, = p. 22), we find: “And as τὸ μῆκος (the longitude) is commensurable with τὸ πλάτος (the latitude), since upon the sphere whose great circle is five, of these the parallel passing through Thule is about β and δ´” (2¼).
Book ii., chap. 3, § 32, = p.28, establishes the position of Thule:
“And above them (the Orkades) is the (island of) Thule, whose—
| Western parts are in | E. long. | (Ferro?) | 29° | N lat. | 63° |
| The Easternmost being in | ” | ” | 31° 40´ | ” | 63° |
| ” Northernmost | ” | ” | 30° 20´ | ” | 63° 15´ |
| ” Southernmost | ” | ” | 30° 20´ | ” | 62° 40´ |
| And the Mid Isle in, | ” | ” | 30° 20´ | ” | 63° “ |
The sixth book (chap. 16, § 1, = p. 113) tells us:
“Serica is bounded west by Scythia beyond the Imaus mountain, according to the line laid down; on the north by an unknown land on the parallel passing through Thule; on the east by regions also unknown, along the meridional line whose limits are:
| “E. long. | 180´´ | N. lat. | 63° |
| ” | 18° | ” | 35°” |
Again we find (book vii., chap. 5, § 12, = p. 125):