Claudius Ptolemaeus; Giovanni Antonio Magini — Geographiae universae tum veteris, tum novae (1597)

Division of Geography.

HAVING now omitted the definition of Geography, which the author provides in the first chapter, we shall proceed to its division. We state that there are some who place Geography under Cosmography, which is called the description of the world. They understand, of course, that Cosmography derives its origin from Cosmos, which signifies world, that is, the universe itself, encompassing within itself the heavens and the globe of earth and water along with the remaining elements; and from Grapho, which means I describe. These indeed divide Cosmography into that faculty which is properly called Astronomy—and this certainly considers the principles, motions, affections, and passions of the heavens and stars—and into Geography, which concerns itself with the description of the earth. Furthermore, they make Geography bipartite. One part they take to be that which describes the earthly globe with respect to the more universal parts and observes the order and location of places relative to one another and to the position of the heavens; this they properly call Geography, which our author treats in the present volume. The other part is properly called Topography or Chorography, which concerns itself with the description of particular places without any regard for the larger parts of the world or for neighboring locations. The author will speak of these two in the first chapter of this first Book, where their difference from Ptolemy will be made clear. I shall not overlook the fact that there are also those who do not understand Cosmography under this wide and broad signification of the description of the universe. These indeed observe the proper interpretation of this word Cosmos, which signifies ornament. Whence they say that Cosmography is that faculty which describes and narrates the natures and properties of regions, places, and the things contained within them; the customs of peoples, and everything worthy of consideration that has occurred at different times, without any regard for the measurement of places either between themselves or by comparison to the heavens. They believe, however, that Geography is a particular faculty which deals only with the earth and with this known and inhabited part of the world with respect to the arrangement, distances, and location of any place, both relative to one another and in comparison to the heavens. If this distinction were truly valid, Strabo’s work should have been titled Cosmography by him, because it treats the qualities of places, the customs of peoples, and other such matters which, according to these people, are rather Cosmographical; nevertheless, Strabo published his books under the name of Geography.

Subject of Geography.

THE subject of Geography itself is the world, that is, the totality of waters and all earth not covered by waters, which two bodies complete a single surface inhabited by humans. We do not, however, understand the geographer to deal with the world and its parts in so far as they are natural bodies, as that certainly pertains to the natural philosopher; but rather to treat of the surface of earth and water in so far as it is variously inhabited by living beings and in so far as it relates to the circles of the celestial sphere. Since the geographer describes the whole world, or rather its known and inhabited part, by declaring the boundaries

and limits of provinces and islands, their magnitudes, the circuit of the Ocean sea or other particular seas; the origin of rivers and springs and their courses; the extent and position of lakes and marshes; the location and position of cities, towns, and other memorable places, as appropriate both among themselves and in respect to the heavens. For indeed there are many things that are considered by the geographer, some of which pertain to the sea and maritime places, others to parts of the earth, others to rivers, marshes, valleys, and other watery locations. We shall recount and explain all these in order so that they may be of use for the understanding of this faculty.

Sea is defined as a gathering of many waters, and it is joined to the Ocean, or the great and flowing sea, receiving diverse names from the diverse parts of the earth contiguous to it.

Ocean is the great sea, or that vast expanse that encompasses and encircles the entire earth: so named because of its velocity, because it runs with great speed through the interior seas. It has, however, various names from different parts of the world; for sometimes it is called Oriental, sometimes Occidental, sometimes Indian, sometimes Atlantic.

Shore is that part of the earth which is touched by the waters and beaten by the waves of the sea.

Bay original: "Sinus" is a shore curved to the likeness of a bosom, which, as if with arms, embraces and receives the sea; such as the Adriatic Gulf, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Gulf, and others of this kind.

Strait original: "Fretum" is a narrow arm of the sea between two lands, so called from the roaring original: "fremitu" of the waves, and signifies a sea that is mobile by its own nature, such as the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Africa.

Port is a place of the sea enclosed, or a small bay made by nature or by men, deep enough to safely receive any deep-draft ship, where, of course, ships and triremes make their station in winter as in a safe place.

Island is a part of the earth which is washed by the sea on all sides, such as Sicily, Corsica, Cyprus, Crete, and others.

Peninsula is so called as if it were an island, which is not surrounded by the sea on every side, but is connected to the continent or solid earth by some isthmus or arm. The Greeks call this a Chersonese. The peninsulas include the Peloponnese, which is joined to Achaia; the Tauric Chersonese, the Cimbric Chersonese, and others.

Isthmus is a narrow land between two seas, such as the Corinthian, by which the Peloponnese is joined to Greece.

Promontory is said of a mountain which protrudes into the sea with conspicuous height.

Continent is called all solid or firm land, which is neither an island, nor a peninsula, nor an isthmus, but which stands and holds together as a whole.

Region is a part of the earth that was ruled by a King: for before Provinces became Regions, they were under kings and were ruled by them.

Kingdom is called both the Region itself subject to a King, and the dominion itself.

Province was called any region acquired by war far from Italy, because the Roman people had conquered original: "prouicerit" it. Most of the time today, however, Region and Province are confused and taken without distinction.

City original: "Vrbs" is a town surrounded by walls, and contains within itself buildings and houses.

Town original: "Oppidum" was once called every city except Rome, which alone was called city original: "urbs" by excellence.