Previously, there were other bound map collections, specifically, the Italian Lafreri atlases, but these were sets of maps-not necessarily uniform-selected and bound together on demand. In 1570, Ortelius published the first modern atlas that is, a set of uniform maps with supporting text gathered in book form. Theatrum Orbis Terrarum and the states of the “ Aegyptus Antiqua” It also underlines the importance of the Nile and explains the intense interest in learning more about its history and geography. Although focused on ancient geography, this map also alludes to this larger geographic debate about this most famous of African rivers. This map shows a smaller scale depiction of the river after the two streams have joined. Rivers from the north of both lakes wend northward and join to form the Nile. To the east and just slightly north be put another, smaller lake. He rejected the name of Zaire-Zembere used by Gastaldi. Ortelius, on his own map of the African continent, also included a large central lake, called Cafates. To the east is another, smaller lake at roughly the same latitude, which also feeds part of the Nile. Instead, he drew a massive central lake from which flows the Nile, Zaire (Congo), Cuama (Zambezi), and Spirito Sancto (Limpopo) Rivers. Gastaldi, most likely thanks to sources he read via the travel editor Ramusio, chose to abandon the Mountains of the Moon entirely. Most sixteenth-century mapmakers, including Martin Waldseemuller, chose to follow the Ptolemaic model. Ptolemy describes such a lakes-an -mountains layout in his works, although the precise identification of the Mountains of the Moon may have been a fourth-century addition to his text. Streams from the mountains fed the lakes. Typically, mapmakers thought the Nile River rose from twin lakes south of the equator, which were near the Mountains of the Moon. Based on a 1563 map of Africa by Giacomo Gastaldi, Ortelius’ Nile geography is notable for its divergence from previous models and for its importance as a model for future mapmakers. ![]() However, in his larger map of the African continent, he showed the source of the Nile as well. Here, Ortelius is focused on the geography of the upper Nile. The cartography of Central Africa and the source of the Nile The Latin text on the vignette translates to, “A land that of itself is rich enough, needs no foreign aid, Iove's help it scorns, relying as it does on the bounty of the Nile.” Two palm trees stand sentinel behind the vignette. The monument behind them includes a similar seal. In the lower-left corner are two pyramids with a seal in front of them. The border, which is an Egyptian design, is interrupted at times by extensions of the map, a charming and unusual feature for an Ortelius map. In the Mediterranean Sea, two ships follow the winds. There is also a strip scale next to the place names. The strap work on this cartouche and on the inset and list of place names to the left are typical of Ortelius’ style. In various places on the map, Ortelius cites his sources including Diodor, Herodotus, Strabo, and Plinius.Īt top is a decorative title cartouche. The map was based on an earlier two-sheet Ortelius map of the region, part of Ortelius’ lifelong interest in maps of the Ancient World. Below the inset is an extensive list of place names. An inset to the left focuses on Alexandria, home of Ptolemy. Then the river splits into the fertile Nile River Delta. The two sheets show the track of the river from Ethiopia in the south and follows it as it meanders north. ![]() Ortelius shows the river and its environs in impressive detail, marking settlements and the sites of events and burials. ![]() Its biblical significance and ancient sites made Egypt of special interest to geographers and savants. Ortelius's impressive two-sheet map of the Nile River Valley, the most important river in the world to sixteenth-century Europeans. Ortelius’ Notable and Detailed Two-Sheet Map of Ancient Egypt African Islands, including Madagascar (66).
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