A manuscript containing the full text of The Incredible Things beyond Thule has been found. The text, written by Antonius Diogenes, was lost except of summary of the story by Photius.
Sources from the Departments at the University of Exeter and University of Swansea conferred to Classics Collective of the incredible discovery, although no official report has yet been filed. Tireless work is being carried out to verify the manuscript. Scholars working on the manuscript are quietly confident that not only the text is an ancient one, but it is also that of The Incredible Things beyond Thule.
Antonius Diogenes’ text is said to be an imitation of Lucian’s True Story (also known as True History) and depicts the journey of a few travellers setting out to discover the edge of the world. Scholars have been able to follow the outline of story of the The Incredible Things beyond Thule thanks to a 9th century summary of the story by Photius I of Constantinople. It is believed that a full text will be a great discovery for the world of Classics. It should fuel the research of academics who have speculated the content of the story and those interested in Imperial Greek literature.
The circumstance of the discovery is very unclear. Though it cannot be confirmed, it is said that the discovery was made in south-western Syria near the border with southern Lebanon. A general of the rebel forces in south-western Syria, it is said, was investigating some earthworks on the advice of a scout when some sort of box was found. Unbelievable though it may be, it is very difficult in such a day to confirm the discovery amongst the fog of war, yet on another day it is hoped that the veracity of such event can be confirmed.
(Update at 30May2013 – It’s remarkable that this post is still being viewed, but we feel duty-bound to remind readers to check the date of publication…)
Classics Collective 
Haha, this is wonderful! I love it. Although it made me sad because I would so love to read it [not to mention that it would dramatically alter my PhD thesis!]
Reblogged this on 7artesliberales.
Hope that’s not an April Fool’s joke!
The discovery of the full text would actually mean the books before Thule (i.e. before book 23?) will be studied in more detail, such as the adventure of Dercyllis and how he got away from the evil Egyptian priest. It would not be outlandish to say that the focus of published academia focuses on their lift off, which takes up very few passages. Undoubtedly because Antonius Diogenes is not as well-travelled as Lucian (do read verae historiae).
Of course, there should be no doubt about the credulity of this report. It’s such an important day of announcement that we’ve even tagged the date for the post…
What about removing this shit by now? It’s not April 1 any longer.
If this is not a hoax…and I hope it isn’t…then it would mean that one of my dearest dreams has come true! For years I have longed to read the complete original of the Wonders Beyond Thule, an early novel which, judging from Photius’ synthesis, must have been one of the most intriguing of all works of Greek fiction! Please keep me up to date! Are there some links I can consult about this supposed discovery? As a researcher specializing in ancient Hellenic literature and culture, this “resurrection” of Antonius Diogenes’ text would be more precious than a goldmine for me!
We will keep you posted Mary, while the Collective is still here! Because we too longed to know what happens before they get to Thule (Photius didn’t really make the bit beyond Thule terribly out of this world). We don’t quite have the work just yet.
Fear not though. When the time come that Obama should ride into the area expanding the American empire…
Now, if you can only cook up another forgery to further flesh out the Satyricon of Petronius, you’ll have something worth joking about!