Geography (Geographicae Enarrationis Libri Octo)

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CHAPTER V.

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THEREFORE the undertaking of the description perhaps contains such a proposition, but since in all places, which have not been detected entirely either on account of the excess of magnitude or because they do not always behave in the same way, one usually prefers history as more certain, so it also happens in Geography. For it is clear through the traditions of the times themselves that many parts of the continent of the earth which is inhabited by us have not yet come to knowledge on account of the difficult travel of its magnitude. But some are not as they are reported to be, through the fault of those who collected very fabulous histories. Others, however, now behave far differently than formerly, either on account of their particular devastations or even immutations. Hence it is necessary that we adhere almost entirely to the most recent traditions of our time in that place, observing incidentally also the exposition of ancient history and the judgment of the aforementioned, so that it may be clear what is worthy of faith and what is erroneous.

CHAPTER VI.

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MARINUS Marinus of Tyre, an ancient geographer of Tyre, the most recent of those who were in our time, seems to have applied himself to this part with the greatest study. For it is clear that he unrolled very many histories, beyond even those which were known in prior times, and very diligently perceived the writings of almost all who preceded him. Since he adorned those things which were less becomingly believed, both by those ancients and by himself, with a becoming first rectification. Just as it is permitted to consider from his editions of the amended Geographical tables, for there are many. Therefore, if we were to see that nothing was lacking in his final composition, and we could complete the designation of the globe from those monuments alone, we would undertake no further labor in this matter. But since it is clearly evident that he collected some things with a less trustworthy perception, and furthermore often in the institution of the description, he had neither the proper care for ease nor for dimensions, we are justly moved to reduce the business of this man, as much as we judge it to be worth the effort, to a more reasonable and useful method. Which indeed we shall attempt to do as succinctly as we can, considering that we can attain those things which contribute to both species by a certain reasoning in short. And first indeed we shall make a beginning from history, according to which he himself thinks, and that the longitude of the known earth ought to be produced more toward the east, and the latitude, however, toward the south. Then perhaps we shall not ineptly call the distance of the whole surface, from east to west, longitude, and that which is from the north toward the south, latitude. Since we shall also call the parallels by the same name, according to the celestial motion. But also generally indeed to the greater distance, rightly, longitude is to be attributed, if indeed it is plainly conceded by all that the distance of the globe of the earth, from east toward west, exists far greater than that which is from the north to the south.

CHAPTER VII.

A large decorative initial 'P' contains a square within a circle, possibly representing a geometric or geographic concept.

THEREFORE he presupposes the first limit of latitude as Thyle a legendary northern land, under the parallel which separates the most northern part of the earth known to us. He demonstrates, however, that this parallel is distant from the equinoctial at the most by 63 parts, of which the meridian circle is 360. But in stadia units of distance 31,500, so that one part comprises almost 500 stadia. Then Aethiop...