1579 Von dem Königreich Poladt das in Sarmatia auch begriffen wird
DESCRIPTION
This marvelous woodcut by Sebastien Münster depicts Eastern Europe and its kingdoms at the end of the sixteenth century. The title roughly translated states ‘Concerning the Kingdom of Poland which forms part of Sarmatia along with other countries belonging to this kingdom.’ Following this introduction, Münster then takes great pains to depict the region, including the various principalities and kingdoms of the day starting with Posnan at the far western edge of the map, and Danzig and Riga on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Other major cities include Vilnius, Cracow and Grodno.
Farther east we see two great cities of the Russian Empire, Moscow and Smolensk, under the rule of Ivan the Terrible, who had recently driven the last of the Khans from the region. At the time of the map’s making Ivan’s behavior had become increasingly violent. He wagered war against King Sigmund Augustus of Lithuania, whom he accused of attempting to annex large areas of his empire, and even made murderous attacks on his own people to ensure the continuation of his reign. Tartaria, and even Scythia are rendered. The Black Sea is depicted along with the many river systems which empty into it, such as the Danube, Dnieper, Rioni, Southern Bug, and Dniester. Located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it is bounded by modern-day Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
The map extends as far south as Hungary, Walachia and Moldavia. All major cities of the area are named, along with topographical features of import such as mountains, great forested areas, rivers and lakes. Münster’s Cosmography was one of the most influential geographical works of the 16th Century. It was published in a number of editions over a half century and was continuously revised and updated to include new illustrations and updated information.
CONDITION
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