Map from BL Royal 6 C I, f. 108v - Public domain old map

Pre - 1600s maps, atlases and manuscripts

During the Medieval period, European maps were dominated by religious views. All maps were, of course, drawn and illuminated by hand, which made the distribution of maps extremely limited. Medieval geography divided the world into three schematic parts: Asia, Europe, and Africa. Asia was depicted on top as the birthplace of Christ and the original site of the Garden of Eden. A T-O map (orbis terrarum, orb or circle of the lands; with the letter T inside an O), also known as an Isidoran map, is a type of early world map that represents the physical world as first described by the 7th-century scholar Isidore of Seville in his De Natura Rerum and later his Etymologiae. In this map format, Jerusalem was depicted at the center and east was oriented toward the map top. The design had great religious significance, with the “T” representing the central Christian symbol of the cross and placing Jerusalem at the center of the world. The “T” also separated the continents of the known world—Asia, Europe, and Africa—and the “O” that enclosed the entire image, represented the medieval idea of the world surrounded by water.

Greek and Roman World Maps Anaximander was an ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived in the 6th century BCE. He is credited with being the first Greek to create a map of the known world, which he did around 550 BCE. Anaximander's map was based on the idea that the Earth was a cylindrical shape, with the inhabited part located on the top. Hecataeus of Miletus was an ancient Greek historian and geographer who lived in the 6th century BCE. He is known for his work "Periegesis" ("Description of the World"), which is considered the first known Greek geography text. In this work, Hecataeus described the various regions of the known world and provided information on their peoples, customs, and natural resources. Posidonius, 1st century BCE, is known for his work on geography, he was a skilled geographer who traveled widely and gathered detailed information on the geography of the known world. He is credited with creating the first known map of the entire world, which he did around 100 BCE. Pomponius Mela, 1st century CE is known for his work "De Chorographia," which is a treatise on geography. "De Chorographia" was the first Latin geography text. Marinus of Tyre was an ancient Greek geographer and cartographer who lived in the 2nd century CE. He is known for his work on geography and for his contributions to the development of maps and mapmaking. According to ancient sources, Marinus created a map of the known world that was considered to be the most accurate and detailed of its time. Ptolemy, who lived in the 2nd century CE, is best known for his work "Geographia," which is a treatise on geography that includes a detailed description of the known world and a set of maps illustrating various regions. Ptolemy's maps are considered some of the most accurate and detailed of the ancient world, and they were widely used and influential in the centuries that followed. Ptolemy's maps are based on a coordinate system that he developed, which is still used in modern cartography. Medieval World Maps A T-O map is a type of medieval European map that represents the known world as a circle (the "O") divided into three parts by a "T" shape. The three parts of the "T" represent the three known continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Mediterranean Sea is typically shown at the center of the map, with Europe to the northwest, Asia to the east, and Africa to the south. T-O maps were popular in the Middle Ages and were used to illustrate various texts, including geographical and religious texts. They were based on the idea that the world was divided into three parts, with Jerusalem at the center, and were often accompanied by illustrations of the Garden of Eden, the Tower of Babel, and other biblical scenes. Ibn Hawqal, an Arab geographer and cartographer, 10th century CE, is known for his work "Book of Roads and Kingdoms," which is a detailed description of the known world and a set of maps illustrating various regions. The Ebstorf Mappa Mundi is a medieval map of the world that was created in the 13th century. It is a large, detailed map that depicts the known world as it was understood at the time. The map is named after the town of Ebstorf, where it was discovered in the 19th century. The Ebstorf Mappa Mundi is a circular map that is divided into four sections, with Jerusalem at the center. It depicts the various regions of the known world, including Europe, Asia, and Africa, and includes illustrations of various cities, mountains, rivers, and other geographical features. The map also includes illustrations of various biblical and historical events, including the Tower of Babel and the life of Jesus. The Hereford Mappa Mundi is a medieval map of the world that was created in the early 14th century. It is a large, detailed map that depicts the known world as it was understood at the time. The map is named after the city of Hereford, where it is housed in the cathedral library. The Hereford Mappa Mundi is a circular map that is divided into four sections, with Jerusalem at the center. It depicts the various regions of the known world, including Europe, Asia, and Africa, and includes illustrations of various cities, mountains, rivers, and other geographical features. The map also includes illustrations of various biblical and historical events, as well as mythical creatures and legends. Pietro Vesconte is known for his work on maps and atlases, and his most notable work is a world map that he created in 1321, which is considered to be one of the earliest known maps to use the term "ocean" to refer to the bodies of water surrounding the known world.