In this episode, we conclude our examination of cartography in the Roman Empire by looking at the development of itineraries and travel maps from the period of the late Antonines to the Byzantine Empire.
One of the Vicarellos Cups
Geography
12/16/2020
04/05/2020
Episode 5.10: Surveying an Empire
One of the pillars of the Roman Republic and Empire was its ability to survey, divide, assign and tax land. In this episode of the podcast, we look at processes, people and tools that made such precise surveying possible.
Example of a Groma
02/05/2020
Episode 5.9: All Roads Lead to Somewhere
In this episode, we trace the development of roads from their pre-historic roots (or routes) to the development of the massive arterial network of the Roman Empire.
12/26/2019
Episode 5.8: Heaven and Earth
In this episode, we trace the development of Hellenistic geography from the work of Polybius, through Strabo, to its conclusion with Claudius Ptolemaeus.
Strabo
Ptolemy's 2nd (Conic) Projection
Ptolemy's 3rd Projection
Episode 5.7: How Big is Our World?
In this episode we examine the development of a more empirically based geography in the Hellenistic period from the voyage of Pytheas to the map of Eratosthenes.
Pytheas
Episode 3.53: The Cassini Dynasty
For 220 years, the Cassini family was among the most powerful and influential scientific dynasties of Europe. In we look at their work and lives in the period of Louis XIV, the sun King, through the end of the Bourbon monarchy.
Episode 5.6: Ocean Around a Wine-Darkened Sea
Beginning with Homer's Iliad, we look at the development of Greek geographical models of the Earth through the Classical Period.
A rendition of the Shield of Achilles
06/10/2019
Episode 5.5: The Centered Universe
In this episode we look at cartography in the ancient cultures around the Mediterranean Basin with an eye to understanding the role and purpose of maps and mapping.
The Stone Etching of the Bedolina Map
A Schematic Representation of the Etchings Found in the Bedolina Map
The Babylonian World Map as seen in the British Museum
Babylonian World Map with Schematic Representation of Symbols
Turin Map of the Gold Mines
Schematic of the Primary Fragements of the Turin Map
Scholarly article on the Turin Papyrus by James A. Harrell
05/24/2019
Episode 5.4: Emerging from Connections
We explore the connection between maps and other cultural ideas and technologies such as language, writing and time to see how the physical artifacts arise out of abstract conceptual constructs.
A Sample Compass Rose
05/08/2019
Episode 5.3: Dead Reckoning
In this episode, we discuss the development and use of basic navigational tools and how they lead to map knowledge in ancient cultures.
03/25/2019
Episode 5.2: Defining Space
Wherein we look at mapping as a human activity and begin our exploration of the evidence of the earliest maps known.
Rock Art from Southern Turkey
02/25/2019
Episode 5.1: Uncharted Waters
Wherein we prepare to once again slip our lines in search of new knowledge. We discuss the effects of modern technologies and what is gained and lost in their use.
07/24/2017
Episode 3.38: Digression-For All Men, For All Time
In this episode we take a look at the history of the development of the metric system out of the French Revolution and the roles of Jerome Lalande, Pierre Mechain and Jean Baptiste Delambre in conducting the Meridian Survey of 1792.
Borda Repeating Circle
Repeating Circle Angle Double Illustration
Map of Survey Triangles of 1792 Meridian Survey (source: Ken Alder)
< >
03/19/2017
Episode 3.27.7: Supplemental-Edmond Halley, Gentleman Adventurer
In our second episode devoted to the life and work of Edmond Halley, we recount his three voyages aboard the Paramour to create a map of magnetic variation, his predictions on the return of the comet of 1682, now known as Halley's Comet, his discovery of the proper motion of the stars, his translation of the works of Apollonius, and his work as Britain's Astronomer Royale among a host of other accomplishments.
Edmond Halley as Astronomer Royale
The HMS Paramour (source: Halley's Log blog)
Map of the Second Paramour Expedition (Source: Halley's Log blog)
Halley's Map of Magnetic Variation Lines
John Harrison's H1 Marine Chronometer
John Harrison's H3 Marine Chronometer
John Harrison's H4 Marine Chronometer
03/14/2017
Episode 3.27.6: Supplemental-Edmond Halley-Always in Motion
This week we look at the earlier career of astronomer, mathematician and natural philosopher Edmond Halley. We look at the first part of his career but through about 1693 including his trips to St. Helena, Danzig and Paris. We also look at his ideas on measuring the size of the solar system, terrestrial magnetism, ocean salinity and the cause of the Biblical flood.
Portrait of Edmond Halley at the age of 39
Diagram of the Earth's Magnetic Field
Halley's Map of Magnetic Field Variation
Diagram of Halley's Diving Bell Design
03/14/2016
Episode 3.6.1: Supplemental-Rounding the Earth
A look at the evidence gathered by the Greek, Hellenistic and Arabic natural philosophers that determined the size and shape of the Earth. Aristotle's lines of evidence are discussed as are the measurements of Eratosthenes, Posidonius and al-Biruni. We also take a look at the myth that it was Columbus who first thought the Earth was round and how it arose.
Eratosthenes
Diagram of Eratosthenes' Method of Measurement
Diagram of Posidonius' Method of Measurement of the angle of Canopus
al-Biruni's Method of Measuring the Height of a Mountain
Diagram of al-Biruni's Method of Determining the Radius of the Earth