Today’s map is brought to us by the Norman B. Leventhal Map Collection at the Boston Public Library. I’m very excited that next month I will be getting a special tour of the facilities and up close with some of the gems that they have in their collection.

It is amazing to look at maps like the one below and realize that in the 15th century, they had a better understanding of the geography of the world than some 9th graders do today. I mean, they missed Madagascar and Ethiopia is waaaay bigger than it actually is, but really good attempt so early.

I just adore the wind gods in the corners. Why don’t we have awesome stuff like that on our maps anymore? Apparently, Lips was the Greek deity of the Southwest winds and is associated with ships. Africus was his Roman equivalent

If you look closely, you’ll notice that they have what look to be little dinosaurs around the name of the god on the right. I think I’m going to have to start looking for little animals in old maps from now on!

Lips was the Greek deity of the southwest wind, often depicted holding the stern of a ship. His Roman equivalent was Afer ventus (“African wind”), or Africus, due to Africa being to the southwest of Italy. This name is thought to be derived from the name of a North African tribe, the Afri.

What is your favorite map?