1550 Von den Landern Asie

By: Sebastian Münster Date: 1550 (circa) Basel Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.5 inches (19 x 16.5 cm) This fascinating map of the Middle East and Arabia is an early edition from the masterful oeuvre by Münster, Geographia. For its time, it is remarkably accurate, with the shapes of land masses recognizable, and toponyms suggesting the use of reports made by explorers and tradesmen of the day. The region in the northwest corner of the map is labeled with a variation of its ancient toponym, Palus Maeotis. This is an area of swampland which includes the Sea of Azov, which was home to a people called Maeotians who lived in the area and along the shores of the sea. Just below Azov is the Black Sea with its historic toponym, Pontus Euxinus. Modern Turkey’s Cappadocia is shown to the south of the Black Sea. Across a mountain range to the east is Armenia. Other toponyms include Mesopotamia, Media, Persepolis, the Arabian Peninsula , Syria, Sogdiana and Scythia to name a few. Mountain ranges and river sys