Ptolemy's World Map


A map of the world, taken from Ptolemy's book "Geographia." This copy is based on the first printed edition of 1472. The original map was constructed by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy more than thirteen centuries earlier, around 150 AD. 15th century scholars recreated the map using Ptolemy's original instructions in his book Geography. The map shows parts of the three continents (Europe, Asia and Africa) that surround the Mediterranean Sea (blue, upper left). Earlier medieval maps had relied on an inaccurate and mythological geography. The heads surrounding the map represent the winds of the world.


Size: 3965px × 2935px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: art, artwork, cartography, color, drawing, enhanced, enhancement, geographia, geographic, geographical, geography, historic, historical, history, illustration, map, ptolemaeus, ptolemy, world