the name given by ancient writers to the island of Ceylon. This island first became known to the Greeks at the time of Alexander's conquests; and for a long time the most erroneous ideas were current about its size and position. Onesicritus makes it twenty days sail from the continent, and Eratosthenes seven; either of which must imply something much more than the actual distance, 50 miles. The latter of these writers extends Taprobane 1000 miles in the direction of Africa; and other geographers make it lie very near the east coast of that country. As to its size, Strabo considers it not inferior to Britain; and Ptolemy reckons it 1000 miles in length by 700 in breadth. But the natural character and productions of the island are, for the most part, described by ancient writers with considerable accuracy. The fullest and best accounts of Ceylon in ancient times are those of Pliny and Cosmas Indicopleustes. (See CEYLON.)