Cosmas in Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898)

（Κοσμᾶς). An Egyptian priest, often called Indopleustes (Ἰνδοπλευστής) from his voyages, who lived about A.D. 535. In his youth he was engaged in foreign trade and visited many countries, of which he wrote an account in twelve books, most of which are extant. The work was styled Τοπογραφία Χριστιανεκή. In it China is first undeniably mentioned, being styled Tzinista-the Persian Chinistan. Edition by Gallandi (1776).