Viewing the Mediterranean Through Portolan Charts

Genoese World Map of 1457

This particularly striking example of a medieval mappamundi (world map) incorporates elements from portolan charts in its depiction of Europe, while also mapping other parts of the known world using (somewhat outdated for the time) political geography. The largest islands of the Mediterranean—the Baleares, Corsica and Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, and Cyprus—are depicted here using either red or gold coloring, signifying their importance to Mediterranean sailors, or perhaps to the owner of this particular map. 

Just above the island of Cyprus, dutiful readers can find the Latin inscription “Asia Minor,” signifying the geographic transition from Europe to Asia on the map. The Black Sea is also depicted on this map, with many river deltas flowing into it. Above the Crimean Peninsula, one can spot a 12-sided rhumb line diagram, commonly placed on portolan charts as a navigational tool for sailors. In addition to this, take notice of how Eastern Europe is depicted on this map. Instead of modern labels such as Russia (which did not exist yet), the region is labeled as “Sarmatia,” placing this region apart from Western Europe by associating it with the nomadic Sarmatian peoples from Central Asia. 

This example of a portolan chart is from the late 15th century medieval Jewish cartographer Judah Ben Zara, who created his work in Alexandria, giving us a unique perspective. Portolan charts themselves were not just limited to the Italian trading cities of Venice and Genoa, but were a Mediterranean-wide phenomenon which often incorporated traditionally non-European perspectives. While Judah Ben Zara himself was originally from the Balearic Islands (depicted on this map in a multicolor assortment of red, blue and black), the detailed depiction of the Eastern Mediterranean’s place names shows the influence—and knowledge—that his new Egyptian home afforded him. Even more so than the last map, this one depicts a great number of the aforementioned rhumb lines, which criss-cross the Mediterranean and would have been quite helpful for wayward sailors seeking guidance on their voyages home.

Judah Ben Zara’s depiction of Mediterranean cities is quite interesting as well. Venice, with its lofty towers and public square, looms large over the Adriatic, while Genoa mirrors it across the Po Valley, with a grandiose bay inviting ships to dock and trade. The map also displays Judah Ben Zara’s knowledge of European politics, as the continent’s great dynasties display their family crests over areas they claim under their rulership. And of course Jerusalem, a city with much spiritual value to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, is featured on the right-hand side of the map with formidable fortress walls. Above the holy city, a rhumb line practically emanates with “divine energy” as it spreads out across the Mediterranean Sea.