| Greek Name |
Transliteration |
Latin Spelling |
Translation |
MakroboV
Makroboi |
Makrobos
Makroboi |
Macrobus
Macrobi |
Long-Lived |
| Gumentai |
Gymentai |
Gymentae |
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THE MAKROBOI (or Macrobi), the "Long Lived Ones," was the name given to a number of long-lived Indian tribes, including the Kyrnoi and Gymnetai.
Pliny the Elder, Natural History 7. 27 (trans. Rackham) (Roman encyclopedia C1st A.D.) :
"The Indian race of Cyrni according to Isigonus [a Greek writer] live to 140; and he holds that the same is true of the long-lived Aethiopes, the Seres (Chinese) and the inhabitants of Mount Athos--in the last case because their diet of snakes’ flesh, which causes their head and clothes to be free from creatures harmful to the body.
Onesicritus [Greek historian C4th B.C.] says that in the parts of India where there are no shadows there are men five cubits and two spans height [about 8 feet], and people live a hundred and thirty years, and do not grow old but die middle-aged.
Crates of Pergamenus [Greek writer C2nd B.C.] tells of Indians who exceed a hundred years, whom he calls Gymnetae, though many call them Macrobi (Long-Livers)."
Sources:
- Pliny the Elder, Natural History - Latin Encyclopedia C1st A.D.
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