Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[fw]

I recently came across a passage below.

In Europe, honey had been used as a sweetener before sugar was introduced. It is said that the first time sugar became known to Europeans was in the 4th century B.C., when the army of Alexander the Great brought sugar to Greece from India. Seeing sugar cane there for the first time, the Greek soldiers cried with joy, �A reed of honey without any bees!�

I understand that the author, by using the phrase �it is said,� means #1 below is unconfirmed information.
Then which does the author mean #2, which comes after �, when�, is? Is it written as unconfirmed information or an implied fact?

(1) The first time sugar became known to Europeans was in the 4th century B.C.
(2) The army of Alexander the Great brought sugar to Greece from India in the 4th century B.C.

[lotus]

when the army of Alexander the Great brought sugar to Greece from India

The above is an implied fact that backs up his conjecture that sugar was introduced to the Europeans in the 4th century B.C.


--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

[fw]

Thank you for your reply, lotus. It really helps.