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(2) EGYPT.
(4) TUNIS.
(6) FEZ AND MOROCCO.
(9) SENEGAMBLA.
(10) UPPER GUINEA.
(11) BENIN.
(12) GUINEA ISLANDS.
(13) INNER GUINEA.
(14) SAHARA.
(15) ABYSSINIA-NUBIA.
(16) LOWER GUINEA.
(18) BEHAIM'S "FURTHEST"(P.27).
(20) ZANZIBAR.
(21) MADAGASCAR.
(22) SCOTRA(SOCOTRA)
(23) ISLANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN.
The following names are taken from Ptolemy's Geography, lib. IV., cc. 6, 7, 8.
libia (D 16) Libya.
getulia (D 20).
dudiru (D 19), Dudum.
... mia (D 18) Armiae, now Hermaua, on the old fort, 26° N., 13° E.
dolopes (E 14).
jaramajores (E 5), Garamantes.
golama (E 20), Garama metropolis (IV 6), modern Jerma, a royal tent below with a legend, only four words of which could be deciphered.
dißer konik ißt ge ....
This king is called ....
badios (E 7) (only shown by Jom and Ghil), Badiath, now Bades near Biskra.
ethiopia ßub egyptia (E 14), Aethiopia intra Aegyptum, now Nubia and the whole of Eastern Africa. Above it a miniature of four travellers.
beretis (F 19), Berethis (IV 7).
ßandern (F 19), Sandace (IV 7).
azexoes (E 9), a mutilated meroes, Meroe (IV 7), now ruins above the confluence of the Atbara with the Nile. A miniature of a fontein above it, which I venture to accept as the "Fons Solis" of Jupiter Ammon (Siwah), already known to Herodotus (IV 181), and referred to by Isidor of Seville as "fons die frigidus nocte calidus."
Cynamoriferi (E 10), Cinnamomifera terra (IV 7), on the Somal coast and not near Ptolemy's aprocyphal Nile lakes.
eth . pia (E 11 s), below former, Ethiopia.
azania (F 11 s), the Ajan of the Arabs, the east coast of Somal Land.
elefas monte (F 3), Elephas Mons (IV 7), Ras Fil.
aromata (F 3), Aromata prom. (IV 7), Cape Guardafui. Off it a Portuguese ship.
panovill (F 1), Pano villa or Panumvicus (IV 7), now Bannah, near Ras Hafu.
eßßica (F 4 s), Essina (IV 7) near Madisha (Magadoxo).
tomic (F 7 s), Tonica (IV 7), now Torre, between Merka (which is Serapion) and Barawa. Nika, in Kiswahibi, means "wilderness."
capta (F 5 s), Rapta metropolis, opposite Zanzibar (at Bagamoxo?).
rapig lorcu of Ghillany, rapig torcu and vaptig of Jomard (E 11 s), may stand for raptus flumen, the Kingani Rion.
rapp (E 12 s), a corrupted Raptus. Perhaps identical with Ghillany's nabo.
monomo phagu (F 17 s) (on Jomard's facs. only), Anthropophagi, along the coast to the S. of Rapta.
praßu (F 18 s), Prasum prom., Cape delgado?
lune montes (E F 18 s), Lunae montes, the Mountains of the Moon.
hie in dißen perge lune geheißßen ßo entßpringt der flus nilus oder ginon genant (E 11 s).
Here in the mountains Lunae rises the River Nile, also called Gihon.
The Gihon (Gen. ii. 13), one of the rivers of Paradise, was already identified by Eusebius (died 340) with the Nile.
The "Mountains of the Moon" I identify with the snow-clad mountains of Abyssinia.(1)
agißimba (F 32 and E 23 s), agisinba das konikreich (F 31), Agisymba on the southern border of the Sahara.
minupias (F 13 s), Dop and Ghil only, Menuthias, probably Zanzibar island.
marßia (F 1 s), Jom and Ghil marsia, Myrsiaca Insula.
egipte (E 22), Egypt. To the west a royal tent and the following legend :
Soldan ein konik des heiligê lands ein herr über vil konikreich arabia egypten und damasco (E 28).
The Sultan, a king of the Holy Land and lord over many kingdoms, Araby, Egypt and Damascus.
Egypt from 1380 to 1516 was in the hands of the Circassian Mamelukes. In 1517 Sultan Selim I. defeated them to the north of Aleppo, and the country since then, until quite recently, has been misruled by the Osmanli.
At a considerable distance to the west there is a legend which seems to be connected with Egypt :
hie ißt die ßantig wüßtung do man mumie findt (E 25).
Here is the sandy desert where mummy is found.
Fra Mauro (`Zurla,' p. 56) says, "Inquesto luogo che a tra et diserto se recoiè mana," which means the same thing, except that manna is substituted for mummy. The latter, namely the bitumen or aromatic pitch with which the mummies of Egypt were impregnated, was used in Europe medicinally even down to the seventeenth century. Already in the time of Abd al Latif, an Arab physician of the thirteenth century, whose book on Egypt has been translated by S. F. Gunther Wahl (Halle, 1790), the country people brought "mummy" for sale to Cairo, to be used medicinally. The manna of the Israelites (Exodus xvi. 15) is the product of either a tamarisk or a lichen, limited to the Sinai Peninsula.
The only inland towns are :
elkairo (F 27), Cairo.
enaßna (F 24), evidently corrupted, and
siracus (F 21), an evident eorruption of a "renovator," perhaps, meant for Siene.
There are no pyramids (Fra Mauro's Piramidi e grenari de Pharaon), no crocodiles, and famous cities like Memphis, and Thebes are ignored.
Along the coast we have :
tariß (F 30), Tanis.
damiata (F 30), mod. Damietta.
alexandria (E 30), with a flag (3 stripes, blue, red, white; with a flame on central stripe). The winged lion of St. Mark crouches off the port, although Venice no longer enjoyed a monopoly of its trade, superior privileges having been granted to Florence in 1488.
porto vejo (E 30), Porto Vecchio, the "Old Port" of Alexandria.
torre de lorabo (E 30), Terre degli Arabi, the Turris Arabum of Marino Sanuto, mod. Abusir.
porto raraiba (E 30), either the g. deli Arabi (Gulf of the Arabs), or more probably Raiba of A. Benincasa, the latter on Gatta Bay.
ßalmos (E 31), anct. Selinus, med. Salona, mod. Akbet as Salami.
cazalles (E 31), a small port at or near Kasr Shama.
vezeli (E 31), Isole dei uccelli, now Jeziret et Barda, or Bomba I.
buzeris (E 31) may be a corruption of the anct. Azaris or Axilis to the W. of Ras et Tin.
bonadria (E 32), anct. Apollonia, the Port of Cyrene, med. Bonandria, mod. Suza.
ptolemais (E 32), in Cyrenaica, med. Tolometa.
modebare (E 31).
bayda (E 31), isole de Baida of Andrea Benincasa, now Ghana Island in the Gulf of Sydra.
dibriba (E 30), perhaps Tabith, anct. Boreum.
toßar (E 30), clerical error for Casar (et Atesh?).
caßar (E 29), Kasr Ahmet, to the E. of Cape Masrata.
brata (E 30), between this cape and Lebda.
tripolis (E 29) and tripoli barbarum (E 30), modern Tripolis of Barbary.
The Sultan sits beneath, in a tent; his flag (red with three crescents and a star) rises on the coast. The legend reads :
konik võ tripoli barbaria (E 27).
The king of Tripoli in Barbary.
laßvechas (E 31), Tripoli vechio of A. Benincasa.
ptolemais (E 31) is written along Ptolemy's Triton fl. Murr already saw it there.
tunis (twice, on the coast and inland, E 32), Tunis.
kathalia (E 32), Capulia of A. Benincasa, mod. Cape Kapudia.
affrica (E 33), mod. el Mehediah.
comeras (E 33), mod. Kuriat Island.
ßißßa, (fieffa, E 33), mod. Suza.
cartago (E 34), Carthage.
bezzert (E 34), mod. Bizerti.
bugia (D 34), Beggia of Leo Africanus, mod. Beja, formerly seat of a bishop, which may account for its flag (a red eagle in gold).
Inland the Sultan's tent (E 30); of a legend by the side of it only two words are visible, viz: das ... von ... (the ... of ...)
bona (D 34), Bona.
pora (D 34) should be Stora, E. of the former.
alßol (D 34)?
gegit (D 34), the Gigier of A. Benincasa, now Jijeli.
bogia (D 34), mod. Buja (Bougie), the capital of the ancient kingdom, captured by the Spaniards in 1510. A flag (red with a star and crescent) rises above the town. The Sultan's tent-konik von bogio-stands to the S.E. (E 29); a man kneels before the Sultan.
To the south of this tent we read di santig wüsting (the sandy desert).
alger (D 34), Algiers.
bones (D 34), an evident error for tenes.
oran (D 34), captured by Spain, 1507. The royal tent (konik ora) stands to the south-east.
Due south is the tent of another Sultan described as
konik v. tremeßin ein mächtiger konik (D 29).
King of tremesin (Tlemsen), a mighty king.
An ostrich stands beside the tent, a flag (red and gold) rises to the north on the coast, and beneath it, on Doppelmayr's facsimile only, we read Zara (Sahara) (D 28).
one (D 34), Onein or Honein.
alcadia (D 34), mod. Alcudia.
bona (D 34), an evident corruption. Perhaps the Bedis of A. Benincasa, mod. Velez de la Gomera.
targa (D 35), mod. Targai. Jomard reads Tanga. Neither Ceuta nor Tangier are named, but the Portuguese standard flies at Cape Spartel. The first place on the west coast is
azoner (E 32), Azamor.
nißße (E 31), the Niffe of Pareto (1455) and A. Benincasa (1476), mod. Anafa or Casablanca, and consequently to the north of Azamor. Or are we to assume a clerical error for Saffi, which is S. of Cape Cantin?
castel del mare (E 29), an old castle between Cape Guer and Mesa, rebuilt by João Lopes de Sequeira by order of King Manuel in 1505, to protect the fisheries. It is also known as Agadir or S. Cruz.
agilon (E 29), Aguilon of A. Benincasa, to the N. of Cape Non, now Cape Aglu or Agula.
deßerta (E 28), Desert.
cabo baßßador (E 27), Cape Bojador.
fetz (D 33), inland with the Sultan's tent.
muroch9 der konik (D 30), the King of Morocco, in his tent.
atlas-montes-daros (D 27), Doppelmayr read "darat," Jomard "dareb." Pliny (V 1) tells us that the Atlas is known to the natives as Dyris. We believe, however, that "claros" should be substituted for "daros," for we learn from the Catalan Map (1375) and from that of A. Benincasa (1476) that the Atlas was known to the Saracens as the "carena" (i.e., the keel) of Barbaria, and to Christians as Montes claros, or bright mountains, on account of the many fires seen there at night, when the Aegipanes and Satyrs held their revels (Pliny V 1), a fable accepted by John of Haldingham, the author of the "Hereford" Map. M. Behaim's own contemporaries, Diogo Gomez and Duarte Pacheco Pereira, know the western extremity of the Atlas as Montes claros. Three elephants pasture to the south of the Atlas. In former times (Pliny VIII 1) elephants roamed as far N. as the Mediterranean.
tore darem (D 26), cabo d'area, a synonym for Bojador.
gieso (D 25).
rio de Oro (D 25), Rio do Ouro, where gold was first received by the Portuguese in 1442. It is the riu de lor which John Ferrer sought to reach in 1346 (Catalan Map) and the "Flumen Palolus (pajola = gold) his colligitur aurum" of Pizzigani (1367).
bon (D 24).
Cabo de barbara (D 23), Cabo das barbas (Valentin Ferdinand) in 22°20' N.
Sant mathia (D 23).
cabo bianco (D 22), Cabo branco, a white cliff.
caßtel d'argin (D 21), Castello d'Arguim, with a Portuguese flag, on account of the fort erected there in 1449.
rio de s. Johan (D 21), Rio de S. João (D Gomez), near Cape Mirik.
ponta da toßia (D 20), Punta da tofia (Diogo Gomez), now Cape Mirik.
os medos (D 19), Medoes, i.e., Sandhills.
Sa (sancta) in Monte (D 19) should be read Septem Montes. The "VII montes" of the Anglo-Saxon map of the World (tenth century) stand for the "Septem Fratres" of Strabo (XVII 6) and Pliny (V 2), that is, the seven lofty mountains rising above Abyla; but the "Regio VII montium" of Pietro Vesconte (1321), and the " Sette monti" of Fra Mauro (1551), are placed far to the south of the Atlas, and the Spanish Friar (1350) actually claims to have crossed this region when he travelled from Cape Bojador to the interior of Africa. They may correspond to the "Sete cabos" of Soligo, to the south of Cape Bojador, where the coast is lofty (terra alta).
anteroti (D 18), mentioned by Cadamosto, Diogo Gomez and others. Perhaps mod. Tanit Bay.
as palmas (D 18), the "Palms" N. of the Senegal (Azurara), N. of Portendik, 18°19' N. The two palms, once famous, have long since disappeared.
terra de belzom (D 17).
cabo de cenega and Rio de cenega (D 16), the Senegal. To the north-east a royal tent and a legend:
konik burburum von Genea (D 2O).
This King is the Bor Byrão of Barros (Dec. I., liv. III., c. 6), a powerful chief of the Jolof, after whose death his half-brother Bemoy came to Portugal, where he was baptised in 1489.
Rio de melli (C 15); the river of Melli is, of course, the Upper Niger, but Melli at one time extended along the Gambia to the sea.
Cabo verde (C 13), Cape Verde.
Rio de Jago (C 12). Its position corresponds to the Rio de Salum, but it may be a clerical error for Rio de lagos, mentioned by V. Ferdinand. North of it we read :
babacin de gambia (C 12), and inland there stands a royal tent with this legend:
konik barbarin von gambia galof (D 12).
The people of the Bur ba Sin, or King of the Sin, lived, and still live, to the N. of the Gambia, on the river just named. The Jolof, called Geloffa by Diogo Gomez, Gilof by Cadamosto, lived further north.
Rio di gambia (D 12), Gambia 13°30' N.
bogabe (D 12), Bugeba, at or near the River Jeba.
de Sayres (D 11), Cabo de Sagres, 9°30' N.
Rio grande (D 11), of the Portuguese, known to English sailors as the Orango Channel.
Rio de crißtal (D 9), just beyond the C. de Sagres, now Maneah river.
Rio de pißchel (D 8), Rio de Pichel, enters the sea to the north of the cape mentioned, now known as Pongo, 10°5' N.
Seralion (D 7), Serra Leôa, 8°30' N.
The actual order in which the above capes and rivers follow each other, according to Soligo, is thus: Gambia, Casamanza (omitted by Behaim), Cabo roxo (omitted), Rio de Jeba and Bugeba, Rio grande de guinala, Cabo da verga (omitted), Rio de pichel, Cabo de Sagres, Rio de cristal, Serra Leôa.
Rio de galinas (D 7), Rio das gallinhas, River of Hens, N. of Cape Mount, still known by that name.
Rio de camboas (D 6), Rio de Camboas, Fishgarth River, a river entering Yawry Bay, 8°7' N.
Rio de forzi (D 5), Jam and Ghil: forci.
alborero (D 5), arvoredo, a grove of trees.
Rio de palma (D 5), perhaps the Rio das Palmas, to the north, now known as the Shebar entrance of the Sherboro River.
pinias (D 4), perhaps Penedias, rocky places.
terra d'malaget (D 4), Terra de Malagueta.
aus disen land bringt man di grana paradis in Portugal.
From this country grains o Paradise are brought to Portugal.
The "<81>Malagueta Coast" extends from Cabo mesurado to the Cabo das Palmas, but Malagueta is found far beyond these limits.
cabo corßó (D 4) may possibly stand for cabo cortes, of Pedro de Cintra (1461), now better known as Cabo mesurado.
angra vqua (D 4) Ghil: angra agua, angra d'agoa, watering-place anchorage? Viqua, according to Pacheco, is a native word for gold.
R. de saint andre (D 4), the Rio de S. André, now known as Sassandra, 5° N., 6°3' W.
ponta da redis (D 3), not to be discovered along this part of the coast. A cabo das redes, Cape of Nets, is placed by Soligo to the west of Rio da Volta, and can be identified with Barracoe Point.
seria morena (D 3), serra morena, "<81>range of brown hills."
angra de pouaraco (D 4), angra da povoaçam, village anchorage.
Caßtel de loro (D 4) is clearly intended for the Castle of S. Jorge da Mina, built 1482 by Azambuja, and the only "<81>castle" in Behaim's days along that coast, although gold may have been obtained elsewhere.
reßgate de nave (D 4), i.e., a barter-place for ships, perhaps Axim, where according to Barros there was a "<81>Feitoria de resgate de ouro," a factory for obtaining gold by barter.
olig de S. Martin (D 4) (Jom: cly Smath). No river S. Martin is mentioned elsewhere, and olig quite incomprehensible.
bon de nao (D 3)?
Rio de S. johan bapt. (D 3), the Rio de S. João o Baptizante beyond Cabo das tres puntas, where João de Santarem and Pero de Escobar first discovered gold in 1471.
tres pontas (D 3), cabo das tres puntas, Cape Three Points. 4°44' N, 2°8' W.
minera quri (D 3), Mina d'ouro, a gold mine, corresponds to the site of the Castle S. Jorge da Mina.
da volem (D 3), Rio da Volta, 50°47' N, 0°40' E.
angra tirin (D 3)?
Jomard omits da volem and angra tirin and inserts instead the incomprehensible names micaca, prometa and virga. They are not given by Murr.
Villa freinte (D 3), Villa franca of Soligo, near the present Porto Seguro, 6°12' N., 1°32' E.
terra bara (D 4), perhaps the terra baia of Soligo, " brown land."
Villa longa (D 4), the position of which, according to Soligo, corresponds with Whydah, 6°20' N., 2°3' E.
Ripa (D 4), perhaps riba, a hillock, high bank.
monte raso (D 5), " flat mountain," same as Soligo. rio do lago (D 6), rio da lagôa, our River of Lagos, 6°37' N., 3°25' E.
dißer flus ißt von portugal 1800 läuge oder meil und ßtat lißibona ßind 1200 teuche meil (D 6).
This river is 1,800 leagues or miles from Portugal and the city of Lisbon, which is equal to 1,200 German miles.
The distance, as measured on the globe, via Madeira (see legend) is actually 1,200 Portuguese leagues of 17*5 to a degree, which only equal 1,030 German miles; but following the coast it is only 1,100 leagues. Elsewhere (legend, p. 72) Behaim gives the distance to King Furfur's Land as 1,200 leagues or miles.
Rio de ßclavos (D 4), Rio dos escravos, Slave river (Soligo).
Rio de forcada (D 4), Rio dos forcados, thus called because of the " forked tails" of big birds seen by the discoverers, one of which is pictured to the north (Pacheco, `Esmeraldo,' p. 73).
Rio de Ramos (D 4), Rio dos Ramos (Soligo), " River of the boughs" (of Palm Sunday).
Rio de behemo (D 3), Behaim's River, not mentioned by that name in any other document. It may represent the main branch of the Niger, which enters the sea close to the Cabo formosa where the coast turns to the east. cauo formoßo (D 3), 4°14' N., 6°11' E.
The nomenclature to the east of this well-known cape is absolutely original, and cannot be identified with the names given by other explorers, nor can it, owing to the rude design of the globe, be referred to geographical features of our modern maps. They are as follows :
tiera da peneto (D 3); terra do penedo, " land of the rock."
Rio da Sierra (D 3) might be connected with the serra de Fernão Pó, if it were further to the east.
angra de ßtefano (D 3), angra de Estevão.
golfo de grano (D 2), G. de grão, grain or corn bay, perhaps Old Calabar.
Rio boncero (D 2), misspelt for bñdetto (Benedetto)?
Beyond this the surface of the globe had been destroyed even when Murr examined it, and covered with blue paint. This accounts, no doubt, from the absence of the Island Fernando Pó, of the Camarons Peak, and of other features perfectly well known in Behaim's time.
The name Benin is not to be found upon the globe, but there is no doubt that the following legend refers to the country stated to have been discovered by d'Aveiro and visited by Behaim himself (see p. 72).
konik furfurs land do der pfeffer wechßt den der konik in Portugal gefunden hat año 1485 (E 8).
King Furfur's land, where grows the pepper discovered by the King of Portugal in 1485.
A tent with a naked king inside.
I have tried in vain to discover a king or chief named Furfur among the rulers of Benin.
The pepper referred to is the Pimenta de rabo or Piper Clusii.
de principe (D 5 s), Ilha do Principe, with a Portuguese standard.
ßan thome (D 8 s).
Insule martine (D 9 s), Martin's Islands.
The ilha formosa or Fernão Póo can no longer be traced on the globe, but I feel sure that it was there originally, and was obliterated by a reckless " renovator." This must have happened before Murr saw the globe, for he does not give the name of the missing island.
diße jnßeln wurden gefunden mit den ßchiffen die der konik aus portugal ausgeßchickt zu dißen porten des mohren landes a 1484 da war eitel wildnuß und kein menschê funden wir dar deñ waldt und vögel da ßchickt der konik aus portugal nun jährl ßein volk dahin das ßonßt den todt verßchuldet hat man und frawen und gibt ihnen damit ßie das felt bauen und ßich mehren damit dißs landt von den portugaleßen bewohnt würde.
jtem in dißer gegent ißt so@er als wir in europa winter haben vnd alle vogel vnd thier ßind anders geßtalt dan die vnßern hie wechßt vil pißems dê man jn portogal neñet algallia (D E 15 s).
These islands were found with the ships which the King of Portugal sent out to these parts of the country of the Moors in 1484. There was a perfect wilderness then, and we found no men there, only forests and birds. But at present the king sends there people who have been condemned to death, men as well as women, and he affords them the means of cultivating the land and of multiplying, so that this country may be inhabited by Portuguese.
In this region it is summer when it is winter with us in Europe, and all birds and animals are different in shape from ours. Much civet (musk) grows here and is called algalia in Portugal (see p. 49).
Val. Ferdinand (l. c., p. 349) confirms Behaim's statement that the gato de algalia or civet cat, was found in S. Thomé.
genea (D 18), Guinea. It is not impossible that our Guinea, as well as the Guinoia, Guineue or Ganuya of mediæval cartographers may be derived from Gnaui or Gnauya, by which according to Rohlfs(2) the Negroes and their language are known to the Berbers. Azurara (c. 6O) confirms this hypothesis when he tells us that the Negroes are called Guineus, and that consequently Negroland really began only at the Senegal and not at Cape Non, as believed originally. To the Arabs the land of the Blacks was known as Sudan.
If we accept the above derivation, it is no longer permissible to identify Guinea with the great Empire of Ghana, or with the City of Jenni on the Niger. The following legends go far to confirm this view :
konik Mormelli bei deßße konik wechßt das golt daß der konik von portugal laßt holen (D 15).
bis an diß land ßind komen di moren von tunis jerlich mit jr karavan um gold (D 18).
King Mormelli, where is found the gold which the King of Portugal is having fetched.
As far as this country the Moors of Tunis come annually with their caravans in search of gold.
A royal tent, with a naked Negro as occupant, stands below.
Behaim's Mormelli represents, no doubt, the ruler of Melli (Mali), a Negro empire which attained the height of its power under Mansa Musa, the Musa ben Abu Bakr of Ibn Batuta (1311-31), but was ultimately broken up by Soni Ali, the King of the Sonrhay (1464-92). It was this Soni Ali who received the embassy despatched by King John, and who permitted the Portuguese to establish a factory at Wadan (1487).
The " Rex Melly" of Dulcert (1339) and the "Mussemelly, lord of the Negroes of Gineua, the wealthiest and most noble lord of all these parts on account of the gold collected within his territory," of the Catalan Chart (1375), was no doubt this great African ruler.
According to Diogo Gomez, Tambucutu (Tinbuktu) and Cantor (on the Gambia) were places visited by the Tunisian caravans in search of gold. They were both, at that time, within the boundaries of the Empire of Melli. Benedetto Dei visited Timbuktu in 1470.
konik organ (D 21), with a royal tent.
Both Dulcert (1339) and the author of the Catalan Map (1375) mention a Saracen kingdom of Organa continuously at war with the Saracens of the coast (Tunis) and with the other Arabs. On the Catalan Map (1375) and on that of Fra Mauro (1457) Organa lies far to the east, towards Meroe and Nubia. This is clearly the Organe of João Afonso d'Aveiro (1485), a powerful sovereign living 20 months' journey to the east of Benin, who invested each king of Benin on his accession by the bestowal of a staff, a head-dress and a cross of brass (Barros, Dec. I., liv. III., c. 4).(3)
I am inclined to agree with Peschel, who (`Geschichte der Erdkunde,' 189) suggests his identity with the ruler of Kanem. Kanem at the time of Dunama ben Tsilim or Selma (l266-1308) extended in the north to Fezzan, and at a subsequent period, under Ali ben Dunama (1465-92) from the Nile in the east to the Niger and the borders of Yoruba in the west.(4)
On the other hand, it must not be forgotten that Abu Obeid el Bekri (1095) tells us that "Ghana" was the title borne by the ruler of Walata, and that Barth (`Reisen,' IV., 621) states that a like title was claimed by the King of the Mosi.(5) Of this " Rey dos Moses" King John heard that he was neither a Moor nor a heathen, but that in many respects he conformed to the usages of the Christians. Having previously identified d'Aveiro's Ogane with Prester John, upon receiving this information, this King of the Mosi was taken to be the long soughtfor "Prester."(6)
Edrisi (1154), Ibn Said (1274), Abulfeda (1338) and other Arabian authors give accounts both of a land of Ghana in the west, and of Kanem.
konik von ..., (E 2), with a royal tent. Perhaps the Rey de Nubia of Waldseemüller (1507).
On a river flowing to the gulf of Guinea Jomard and Ghillany have the following towns, no longer visible on the original.
louta or touta, Jom: locita (E 2). robig (E 3).
loma Sydgan (D 19).
ßewa (D 14), Giov. Leardo (1448) has Scuro, in Morocco.
ßoba (D 14).
ahia (D 12).
barca (D 21). There is a Kasr el Barka to the west of Tishit, but Behaim's Barca is evidently meant for the country of that name, on the Mediterranean, Fra Mauro's Barcha.
wagu (D 19).
wurza (E 21), perhaps Walsperger's Veruza on a Lacus affrorum (1448).
lot (E 20).
Abassia (F 6 s), Abyssinia.
jn dißer gegendt von afrika regirt der kaißer von abaßßia oder abißßinia sein volk ßindt crißten und treiben großz handel mit gold und helfenbein (E 8 s).
In these parts of Africa reigns the Emperor of Abassia or Abissinia. His people are Christians and carry on much trade in gold and ivory.
A miniature to the north shows this Emperor or Prester John seated on a chair with a monk kneeling before him.
A blank shield, above the word " abassia," shown by Jom and Ghil is not traceable on the original.
abasia-ethiopia (E 22 s), far to the south, a duplication of the name. Jom and Ghil here show a royal tent, which cannot be traced on the original.
saba (F 3), Shoa, has been referred to elsewhere (p. 96).
adem (F 12) is really the true Aden, but has been placed in Africa owing to a misinterpretation of Marco Polo's ambiguous narrative.
The whole of the above information on Abyssinia has been derived from Marco Polo (Pipino's version, III 43,44).
diner (F 8), Jom and Ghil only.
lidi (F 6). Can this be Avalita?
coniat (F 6) Jom and Ghil: Conia ar.
crancore (F 3), Jom and Ghil: arancore.
Nubia (F 18).
jarude, (F 13) Jom and Ghil: Arade.
salu (F 16), sala.
On the east coast of Africa, just south of the Equator, is an image of St. Matthew seated upon a chair, with the following legend.
diß landt ißt bekert von ßant matheus (F 5 s).
This country was converted by St. Matthew.
This legend evidently refers to Nadaber (Pliny's Nabata, Ptolemy's Napata), the capital of Queen Candace, above the third cataract of the Nile, at Merawi, where St. Matthew is supposed to have preached (Acta S.S., 21 September). This tradition, however, is rejected in favour of St. Thomas, whom Marco Polo (III 43) credits with having preached and worked miracles, first in Nubia, then in Abyssinia, and finally in Maabar.
cabo de las marenas (E 4 s), Jom: c. de Sª Maria.
Serra di ßan dominico (E 5 s), Jom: Serra de St. roca, possibly the Serra guerreira, " Warrior Mountain," of Soligo, 2°50' N.
angra do principe (E 5 s), The angra do Principe, Prince's Watering-place of Martellus, at the mouth of the Muni in Corisco Bay, 1°10' N.
alcazar (E 5 s), according to Murr and Ghil, but no longer traceable on the original.
Rio de furna (E 6 s) Jom: Rio de Tima, the Rio da furna, "river of the Cove." The name very indistinct on the original.
angra de bacco (E 6 s), Angra da barca of Martellus, in Corisco Bay?
terra de eßtraeas (E 7 s), the Cabo das esteiras, Cape of Mats, of Soligo, now corrupted into C. Esterias, 0°34' N.
Rio de Santa maria (E 8 s), Santa Maria de Nazareth fl. of Soligo and Martellus Germanus-the Ogowe which enters Nazareth Bay, 0°40' S.
Cabo de Santa Catherina (E 9 s), in 1°50' S.
Rio de lopo hizalt (E 10 s), Ghil: cabo granzale, Murr: cabo gonzale, still Capo de Lopo Gonçalves, named after the mariner who is credited with having been the first to cross the Line, now Cape Lopez, 0°37' S.
Rio de santa mathia (E 11 s), the S. Mathias of Martellus, identical with the Mexias or Animba River, 1° S.
oraia de Judeo (E 12 s), praia do Judeo, the bay N. of the Fernão Vaz, 1°30' s.
baja deßeira (E 13 s), Bahia deserta?
rio de Sn. andre (E 14 s), perhaps the Fernão Vaz, 1°40' S.
rio de Catherina (E 14 s), thus on the original, but Murr read Cabo de catherina, which is still known by its original name, and where stood the "tree" of Fernão Gomez, 1°50' S. (see Soligo's Chart).
ßera de sto spir. (E 14 s), Serras do Espiritu Santo, still known by that name, 2°50' S.
praia de jmp. (E 16 s), praia do imperador, the Piagia de lõpadore of Martellus, either off the Sette or off the Nyango.
ponta de bairo (E 16 s), Ponta da beira, " coast or shore point."
angra Santa Maria (E 17 s), Murr: angra da fanta marta).
golfo d' sã nicolo (E 19 s), golfo de S. Nicolão (see below, Golfo de Judea).
ßerra ßcoropoa, very indistinct, perhaps Seara caobas or caura, read by Murr Serra coraßo da corte reial (E 19 s), seems to refer to Mount Salombo and the red cliffs " serra corada"-near it, in 4°20' S. The Corte Reaes were related to Behaim by marriage.
golfo de judea (E 20 s), Jom: Golfo di Indie. This Golfo do Judea, or Jews' Bay of Martellus, is now known as Kilongo Bay, 4°12' S., but the " Golfo" as shown on Behaim's globe corresponds to Loango, whilst his Golfo de S. Nicolão best suits Kilongo Bay.
põta formoßa (E 21 s), a cape in Soligo's Praia formosa de S. Domingos, the " beautiful beach," which is undoubtedly Loango Bay, 4°38' S.
deßerta d'arena (E 21 s), deserta d'areia-" sandy desert," is not at all appropriate to this part of the coast. A sandy spit may be meant.
ponta bianco (E 22 s), Ponta blancha of Soligo, perhaps Massabe Point, 5°2' S.
Golfo de ßan martin (E 22 s) of Martellus' map, now known as Kakongo and Landana bay, 5°10' S.
ponta formoßa (E 23 s), a conspicuous bluff on Landana Bay, 5°13' S.
golfo das almadias (E 23 s), the " Boat Bay," now Kabenda Bay, also named thus by Juan de la Cosa.
Rio de patron and Rio poderoso (E 25 s).
This Rio poderoso do padrão-mighty river of the Pillar-is the River Congo. A Portuguese standard flies from its northern bank, although the Pillar set up by Cão stood at the south point, in 5°4' S.
Mue ruodo (E 26 s), the cabo redondo, " round Cape" of Martellus and others, now Margate Head, 6°31' S.
Rio de madalena (E 28 s), Rio de Magdalena (Soligo), now the Loge, 7°58' S.
angra et rio de fernande (E 29 s), the Rio de Fernão Vaz of Soligo and Martellus, now known as Dande, 8°18' S.
ponta de miguel (E 30 s) answers to the Ponta da Espichel of Juan de la Cosa, now known as Morro das Lagostas, 8°45' S.
jußula de capre (E 31 s), the Ilhas das Cabras opposite Loanda City, 8°46' S. Also named by Juan de la Cosa.
cabo delta (E 31 s) (Jom and Ghil abdollo).
ponta alta (E 32 s).
o gracil (E 32 s), the " slim" or "slender." castel poderoso de ßan augustin (E 33 s), the castel d'Alter pedroso of Soligo, thus named after a village near Portugalete belonging to the Order of S. Bento, of which Diogo d'Azambuja was commander (`Esmeraldo,' p. 68). Martellus calls it C. de S. Agostinho. I identify this " castle" with the granite cliffs to the South of Ponta choca, 13°17' S. About ten miles to the south of these cliffs, at Cabo do lobo (Seal cape), also known as Ponta negra or preta, stands the Pillar dedicated to St. Augustine which Cão set up on his first voyage in 1483. This Pillar or Padrão is not shown on the globe.
angra manga (E 34 s).
cabo de lion (E 35 s), cabo do leâo.
o rio certo (E 35 s), the c. zorto of Martellus.
terra fragosa (E 36 s), "rugged land," descriptive of the mountainous nature of the country, is employed also by Martellus.
monte nigro (E 37 s), Monte negro, with a Portuguese standard and the following legend :
hie wurden geßetzt die ßäulen deß konik von portogal a domini 1485 den 18 jan.
Here were set up the columns of the King of Portugal January 18 of the year of the Lord 1485.
The words "Caput bonae Spei" are given by Jomard and Ghillany, but they are not on the original.
The Monte negro upon which Cão set up his third pillar, in 1485, is now known as Cabo negro, 15°40' S.
A. Magno de Castilho, however, who is of opinion that the globe embodies the results of Dias' voyage, looks upon it as the Cape of Good Hope.(7)
At monte nigro the coast, on the globe, turns abruptly to the east, and along it are inserted the following names :
cabo ponera (E 49 s).
terra agua (E 49 s), Jom: tara lapa.
rio de bethlehem (E 40 s), Jom: R. o. Michael.
pouaraszioni (F 40 s), Jom: bona patz; povoação, a village; boa paz, perfect peace.
angra de gatto (F 40 s), Jom: ang. d. galle. Angra do gato, Cat Bay, but angra do gado, Cattle bay.
roca (F 40 s), Jom: tatos; rock. Cantino has a baia da Roca (Algoa bay).
Rio de hatal (F 40 s), Jom: natat, perhaps Rio do Natal, Christmas River.
arenas (F 40 s), areias, sands.
san steffan (F 40 s).
Rio daß montes (F 40 s), mountain river. Cantino has a terra dos montes, which may be identified with the Langekloof.
Rio de requiem (F 40 s), Rio do requiem.
cabo ledo (F 40 s), Joyful cape. Dopp: cavo loco.
rio tucunero (F 40 s) (Jom: Rio taquacro, Ghil: oth dauneto).
San bartholomeo viego (F 40 s), Ghil: pont virga. Viga, a beam; virga, a rod.
A Portuguese flag rises from Cabo ledo, and off it lie two Portuguese caravels, with the following legend :
bis an das ort ßindt die portugalißche schiff kommen und habê jr ßeul aufgericht und in 19 monaten ßindt ßie wieder in ir land heim kommen.
The Portuguese ships came as far as this place, and set up their column, and in (after) 19 months they again came home to their country.
For the long legend giving an account of the voyage see p. 72.
M. J. Codine's views on Behaim's voyage(8) have been referred to elsewhere. According to him the prom. San bartholomeo viego, where, according to Behaim, the Portuguese set up a Padrão, and then returned home, was in the vicinity of Cabo frio 18°23' S.
In the north west :
wüßte zimatrot (F 5 s). An attempt to translate Ptolemy's `Cinnamomifera terra'?
jorca (E 5 s), Jom only.
cimaide (E 6 s), Jom: timaide.
delßar (E 8 s), Walds: delsam.
zema (E 9 s), Walds: do.
abja (E 11 s), Walds: abia.
motia (E 12 s), Jom: mathroc, Ghil: metia, Walds (1516): Meta.
Western branch of Nile :
saraff (E 13 s), Jom: saroff, Walds (1507): saraff lacus. Undoubtedly Lake Tsana.
quariffa (E 8 s), Walds: quarissa. A town Quaritza (Korata) on Lake Tsana?
laguda (L 5 s), Walds: laguia.
On Central branch of Nile :
ßeßella (E 9 s), Walds: sessila.
On Eastern Branch :
hirii (F 15 s), Hiere of Harff and Walds.
ßanguio (F 10 s).
zabara (F 7 s), Harff and Walds (1507): the same.
semba (F 4 s), Jom: seneba.
Near the east coast :
eßßigea (E 20 s).
pilong (E 19 s), Jom: philang.
geflastra (E 16 s), Ghil: golasta.
taras (E 13 s), Ghil: taro.
tocuma (E 13 s).
gargißa (E 12 s), Harff and Walds (1507) have the same name.
lipo (E 5 s).
South of the Mountains of the Moon :
dedul (E 18 s), Walds: dedel.
marmi (E 18 s).
marßi (E 20 s), Ghil: Masi, Jom: lgnette marsi.
tocon (E 22 s), Jom and Ghil: teron, near it two Sciapodes.
adra (E 19 s), Walds the same. Perhaps Adia (Hadiya) in South Abyssinia.
Gafat (D 19 s), Walds (1507): gusat, but (1516): gafat, undoubtedly the country Gafat, south of the White Nile.
reba (F 19 s), Jom and Ghil: veba, Walds (1516): vabi lacus dulcis. It is the Webi in Somaliland.
nichia (F 25 s), Doppelmayr: nibia, Jom: Nubia.
gamma (F 20 s), Harff and Walds the same. A district of that name in Abyssinia.
scena (F 12 s), Jom: suna, Ghil: sena, Walds (1507): soeua. This I believe to be a corrupt spelling of Sceva, i.e., Shewa, Shwa, Shoa.
graßeit (F 24 s), Jom and Ghil: grafat; Giov. Leardo's Grasiti to the south of the Empire of Prester John.
Cgrarben (F 25 s), Doppelmayr: giarbo, Jom: cyarbon.
tarch (F 23 s), Ghil: jarch, Jom: jach.
graße (F 25 s), a duplicate of graseit?
lambin (E 25 s).
tella (E 28 s), Doppelmayr: vella. Tella, a tributary of the Takazzi. Vella, a town on the Red Sea.
oni (E 34 s), Jom only.
lacasto (E 30 s), Murr lacarto.
norbion (E 30 s).
saffe (F 28 s) Jom only.
blassa (F 34 s) Murr only.
viceon (F 33 s) Murr ricon.
cyro (F 26 s), Cyno[cephali]?
caroneta (F 24 s), Ghil: tarometa.
hie ißt ein ßantig verprent land torride zone genant übel bewont dan allein an den enden do man waßßer gehaben mag (E 26 s).
jn dißem land ißt ßomer als wir in europa winter haben und ßo wir winter haben ßo haben ßi somer (F 28).
Here is a sandy, burnt-up country called torrid zone, thinly peopled, and only on its borders where water can be had.
In this country it is summer when it is winter in Europe, and when it is winter with us they have summer.
Zanzibar insula, zanzibar (G 38 s) with a miniature showing a priest instructing two children.
ezig a town (G 40 s).
diße inßel genant zanzibar hot umbfangen 2,000 meil die hott irê aigenê konik und jre beßunder sprach und die inwoner petten abgotter an ßind großß leut gleich wan jr einer hatt vier unßer man ßterck und jr ainer ißt ßo vil als ander fünf menßchen ßie gin al nacket und ßind all ßchwarz leut faßt ungestalt mit großen langen oren weiten münden groß ßchrechliche augen hend zu viermalen großßer dan ander leut hend jre weiber ßind auch alßo graußam anzußehen wie die man dis volk nert ßich der datellen milch reis und fleißch kein wein wechßt bey in ßi machen aber gut tranck von reis und von zucker große kaufmanßchaft geßchicht bej jn von ambra und von helfont zenen do ßindt vil helfant leven und leoparden auch gyraffen und leonzen und vil andere thier di faßt ongeleich unßern thieren ßindt dis beßchreibt marco polo in dritten puch an dem xlj capitel (H 41 s).
This island, called Zanzibar, has a circumference of 2,000 miles; it has its own king and separate language; the inhabitants worship false gods; they are big men, and they are as strong as four of our men, and eat as much as five of them. They all go naked, and are all black and very much mis-shapen, with big long ears, broad mouths, dreadful eyes, and hands four times bigger than the hands of other men. And their women are as ugly as are their men. These people live on dates, milk, rice, and meat. Their country does not produce wine, but they make a good drink of rice and sugar. There is much trade in ambergris and elephant tusks. Many elephants, lions and leopards are found there, as also giraffes, and dogs, and many other animals, very different from our animals. Marco Polo in the 3rd book and the 41st chapter [Pipino's version] describes all this.
Madagascar Jnßula (G 28 s), with the miniature of a priest and a kneeling figure. A large ship with a red and white flag floats to the south-east of it. Marco Polo's Madagascar is identical with Magadoxo (p. 65).
dabona, a town (G 20 s).
jßair, a town (G 25 s).
die ßchiffleutt aus jndia da S. thomas begraben ligt und außs dem landt moabar genant fahren mit iren ßchiffe bis auß diße jnßel genannt madagascara gewonlich in zwanzig tagen und wen ßi wider haim keren in moabar vermogen ßy kaum in drey monaten haim zu kommen umb deßs moers abfals willen das ßo ßchnelliglich albeg daßelbßt gegen mittag warz niderlaufft dißs ßchreibt marco polo in ßeinen dritten buch im 39 capitel (G l3 s).
The mariners of India, where St. Thomas lies buried, and of the country Moabar go in their vessels to this island Madagascara, usually in twenty days, but on their return to Moabar they are scarcely able to get home in three months, owing to the current of the sea, which here always runs swiftly to the south. This writes Marco Polo in the 39th chapter of his third book (Pipino's version).
Scoria (G 7), with a flag.
scoria ißt ein jnßel gelegen 500 wellißch meil von den zweyen jnßeln masculina und feminea jre inwohner ßindt cristê und haben einen erzbißchoff zu einen hern do ßelbßt macht man guet ßeiden gewandt ambra der wechßt da vaßt vil ßchreibt marco polo im 38 capitel am dritten buch (G 12).
Scotra is an island 500 Italian miles from the two islands of the men and women. Its inhabitants are Christians, and an archbishop is their Lord. Good silk garments are made there, and much ambergris found, as is written by Marco Polo in the 38th chapter of his third book (Pipino's version).
maßculina, feminea (G 15), two islands, each with a flag, similar to that of Scotra.
Nach crßti gepurt 1285 ßindt diße zwo jnßel bewont geweßt jn der ain eitel man in der andern eitel frauen weliche eins im jar zußamben komen und ßindt crißten und haben einen bißchoff der ißt unter den erzbißchoff von der jnßel von ßcoria (G 12).
In the year 1285 after the birth of Christ one of these islands was inhabited by men only, the other by women only, who met once a year. They are Christians, and have a bishop who is under the Archbishop of Scotra. footnot
(1) See The lake region of Central Africa, `Scottish Geogr. Mag.,' June, 1891. back
(2) `Erster Aufenthalt in Marokko,' Bremen, 1873. back
(3) I have vainly searched the collections in the British Museum and at Berlin for a cross. A curious head-dress (helmet) and a short staff tipped with a bird, are shown on Plates XIV. and XXIX. of Ch. H. Reid and O. M. Dalton's `Antiquities from the City of Benin,' London, 1898. back
(4) Barth's `Reisen,' II., 276; Nachtigal, `Sahara und Sudan,' II., 380. back
(5) Quatremère, `Notices et extrait,' XII., 443-668. back
(6) J. de Barros, Dec. I., liv. III., c. 7. back
(7) Os Padrões, `Segunda memoria,' Lisbon, 1871, p. 29. back
(8) `Découverte de la côte d'Afrique' (`Bull. de. la Soc. de géographie,' 1876). back
(9) Compare Waldseemüller's Map of South Africa, Map 2. back
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Last modified: Thu Feb 5 23:01:22 CET 2004