(M-12865): “TABVLA ASIAE III” Claudius Ptolemy. Venice: Giordano Ziletti, 1574. Original copper-plate engraving for Giralamo Ruscelli’s edition of Ptolemy’s Geographica. (Phillips #380). (Image size: 190 x 260 mm – 7.5 x 10.25 inches’)
This scarce map is drawn on a revised conical projection - set in a trapezoidal frame and covers the region between the Black and Caspian seas.
The ancient depiction of the region between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea extends south from the Caucasus Mountains. to include all of Armenia Maior and part of Armenia Minoris, based on Claudius Ptolemy's Geographia from the second century AD. The map is divided into three regions: Colchis, Albania and Armenia Maior and also shows Iberia, Porte Albania, the Euphrates River, the Tigris, Assyriae, and many other place names in the cradle of civilization.
Ptolemy collected his data around 160 A.D. Ancient climates and parallels are inserted outside the east borders. Topographical features are found throughout the map with major towns, cities, waterways and mountains identified.
A large gate (Portae Albaniae) is shown in the mountains at the top of the map. This reflects the legend of Alexander the Great, who is said to have discovered the evil hordes of Gog and Magog in this region. Alexander, calling upon the power of God, moved the mountains together and built a mighty wall spanning the entire Caucasus range, closing off the civilized south from the forces of darkness.
Condition remark: filled wormhole along upper center fold.
