BOOKTEXT4

PTOLEMY'S GEOGRAPHIA



BOOK II

Section 1

PROLOGUE

§1. Therefore, that to be grasped in general about geography, should be about the clarification of map–making in accordance with historical accounts of the known parts of the earth until the present time, as well as concerning map–making in relation to our habitable world and of places to one another and of their appearance, especially in similarity of style, as far as our representation of them allows.

§2. From here we make a beginning, concerning the principle parts, by acknowledging that being involved with the writing down of longtitudes and latitudes of long known places, which have been assigned by continuous tradition is, as near as possible, the true nature of things. In respect of locations not having been explored or because of scanty, uncertain and incomplete passage of historical accounts, let us consider using the nearest possible trustworthy points of reference, having already been noted, in order that nothing, having been inserted by ourselves to complete of the whole of the habitable earth, had indeterminate positions.

§3. Therefore, we have placed beside each, for the purpose of comparison, in the margins of the pages, the accepted degrees of the places, however placing in front of latitude, that of longtitude, in order that if certain correcting is demanded from further reports having been made, space has been left next to them for it to be carried out.

§4. Concerning the map–making, we have preferred the arrangement having the most serviceable ease of use in all respects, this is the one that is in relation to the right hand and the insertions will be made from those having been classified to those not as yet taken in hand.

§5. These should be drawn as if the northern come before the southern and the western before the eastern, since the eye, lighting upon what has been written above, suggests the north, while that to the right hand, the east of the habitable world, on both sphere and flat surface.

§6. First we arrange Europe, separating it, and us, from Libya by the Straits of Hercules, then from Asia, after the sea and the swamp of Myotia, by the river Tanis, placed between and by the meridian from so great and unknown land. Then the place relating to Libya, separating if from Asia between the seas against the Prasum promontory of Ethiopia as far as the gulf of Arabia and that through as far as isthmus from the interior of Heroopoliticus to our sea, separating Egypt from Arabia and Judea. We may not divide Egypt by the Nile, where making the distribution, for continents are much better to be bounded by seas, whenever possible, and not by rivers.

§7. Finally we subjoin Asia, being resolved that, in relation to the whole earth, the share of each of the continents together, represent the habitable world, and again inscribing first the most northern and western of the regions and lying besides them the seas and each of the particular islands amongst them most worthy of mention.

§8. We must distinguish, by drawing around the areas of provinces, prefectures and all such kindof thing, making as a guide a serviceable register noting only places as far as are known, having disregarded tall stories concerning idiosyncratic accounts of peoples, except where, having been associated with something remarkable, it would require a concise mark of distinction.

§9. In this way those wishing to inscribe maps with parts of the known world will be able to insert one or many prefectures or provinces that would be accommodated in due proportion on such maps, in company with a befitting proportion and form, each map will have been created encompassing a proper relationship towards other known places.

§10. For this purpose it is of no great concern if we desire to draw, for the parallels and meridians, straight lines for the parallels, if the correct proportion in the intervals of degrees of the meridians to that of parallels is taken beforehand, and which it holds to the great circle, about to be the central parallel of this map

§11. Having defined these then, one must begin, henceforth, the task of laying down the actual parts.

 

 

MAPS OF EUROPE

The layout of Western Europe submitted in relation to

provinces and prefectures.

· Hibernia, Island of Britain

· Albion, Island of Britain

· Hispanic Baetica

· Hispanic Lusitania

· Hispanic Tarraconensia

· Aquitanian Gaul

· Lugdunensian Gaul

· Belgic Gaul

· Narbonensian Gaul

· Greater Germania

· Ratia & Vindelica

· Noricum

· Upper Pannonia

Section 2

The location of the British island of Hibernia.

§1. The north coast of the British Island of Hibernia lies close to the Hyperborean Sea, it has an outline thus;

§2. . Part of the Boreum Promontory 11° 0Ö 61° 0

. Vennicium Promontory 12° 50Ö 61° 20Ö

. Vidus River mouth 13° 0Ö 61° 0Ö

. Argita River mouth 14° 30Ö 61° 30Ö

. Robogdium Promontory 16° 20Ö 61° 30Ö

§3. The Vennicni sojourn on the west coast, and then, in order, the Rhobogdi towards the east.

The outline of the west coast, which lies close to the Western Sea.

§4. . Being the rest of the Boreum

Promontory. 11° 0Ö 61° 0Ö

. Ravius River mouth 11° 20Ö 60° 40Ö

. Nagnata City 11° 15Ö 60° 15Ö

. Libnius River mouth 10° 30Ö 60° 0Ö

. Ausoba River mouth 10° 30Ö 59° 30Ö

. Senus River mouth 9° 30Ö 59° 30Ö

. Duris River mouth 9° 40Ö 58° 40Ö

. Iernus River mouth 8° 0Ö 58° 0Ö

. Southern Promontory 7° 40Ö 57° 45Ö

§5. The Erdini sojourn on the coast next to the Vennicni and the Nagnati below the Autini, next the Gangani, below the Vellabori.

§6. The next meridian outlines the coast close to the Vergionius Sea.

. Being the rest of the

Southern Promontory 7° 40Ö 57° 45Ö

. Dabrona River mouth 11° 15Ö 57° 0Ö

. Birgis River mouth 12° 30Ö 57° 30Ö

. Iernum Promontory 14° 0Ö 57° 30Ö

§7. The Hiberni sojourn on the side next to the Vellebori, above whom are the Uodies while more to the east are the Brigantes.

§8. The outline of the east coast, by the side of the sea that is called Hibernicus, following after the Iernum Promontory;

. Being the rest of the

Iernum Promontory 14° 0Ö 57° 30Ö

. Bodonus River mouth 13° 40Ö 58° 40Ö

. Manapia City 13° 30Ö 58° 40Ö

. Oboca River mouth 13° 10Ö 59° 0Ö

. Eblana City 14° 0Ö 59° 30Ö

. Bubindas River mouth 14° 40Ö 59° 40Ö

. Isamnium Promontory 15° 0Ö 60° 0Ö

. Vinderis River mouth 15° 0Ö 60° 15Ö

. Logis River mouth 15° 20Ö 60° 40Ö

Following next is the Robogdium Promontory.

§9. The Darini sojourn on this side of the Robogdi, below whom are the Volunti, next the Blani then the Couci, below whom are the Manopi then the Coriondi above the Brigantes.

§10. The towns that in the interior;

. Regia 13° 0Ö 60° 40Ö

. Rhaeba 12° 0Ö 59° 45Ö

. Laberus 13° 0Ö 59° 15Ö

. Macolicum 11° 30Ö 58° 40Ö

. Regia (II) 11° 0Ö 59° 30Ö

. Dunum 12° 30Ö 58° 45Ö

. Hibernia 11° 0Ö 58° 10Ö

§11. Situated above the island of Hibernia are those being called Ebuda, five in number, that to the west is called,

. Ebuda 15° 0Ö 62° 0Ö

The next one in line to this, towards the east, similarly,

. Ebuda 15° 40Ö 62° 0Ö

. Then Rhicias 17° 0Ö 62° 0Ö

. Then Maleus 17° 30Ö 62° 10Ö

. The Epidium 18° 30Ö 62° 0Ö

§12. Towards the east of Hibernia there are also islands

. Monaoeda 17° 40Ö 61° 30Ö

. Mona Island 15° 0Ö 57° 40Ö

. Ardru (Barren) 15° 0Ö 59° 30Ö

. Limnu (Barren) 15° 0Ö 59° 0Ö

 

.oOo.

Section 3.

Location of the British island of Albion

(European Map I)

§1. The northern coast of the British Island of Albion lies next to the Hyperborean Sea, being called by the name Duecaledonium, it has the outline thus;

. Novantarum peninsula and

promontory of the same. 21° 0Ö 61° 40Ö

. Rerigonius Bay 20° 30Ö 60° 50Ö

. Vindogora Bay 21° 20Ö 60° 30Ö

. Clota Estuary 22° 15Ö 59° 40Ö

. Lemannonius Bay 24° 0Ö 60° 20Ö

. Epidium Promontory 23° 0Ö 60° 40Ö

. Longus River mouth 24° 0Ö 60° 40Ö

. Itis River mouth 27° 0Ö 60° 40Ö

. Volsa Bay 29° 0Ö 60° 30Ö

. Navarus River mouth 30° 0Ö 60° 30Ö

. Tarvendum, or Orca

promontory 31° 20Ö 60° 15Ö

 

§2. The outline of the west side that lies close to the Hibernian Sea and the Vergionius which holds the Novantian peninsula.

. Novantian promontory 21° 0Ö 61° 40Ö

. Abravannus River mouth 19° 20Ö 61° 0Ö

. Iena Estuary 19° 0Ö 60° 30Ö

. Devas River mouth 18° 0Ö 60° 0Ö

. Novius River mouth 18° 20Ö 59° 30Ö

. Ituna Estuary 18° 30Ö 59° 45Ö

. Moricambe Estuary 17° 30Ö 59° 20Ö

. Setantiorum Town and

Harbour 17° 20Ö 57° 45Ö

. Belisama Estuary 17° 30Ö 57° 20Ö

. Seteia Town and

Estuary 17° 0Ö 57° 0Ö

. Tosobius River mouth 15° 40Ö 56° 20Ö

 

§3. . Ganganos promontory 15° 0Ö 56° 0Ö

. Stuccia River mouth 15° 20Ö 55° 30Ö

. Tusrobia River mouth 15° 0Ö 55° 0Ö

. Octapitarum promontory 14° 20Ö 54° 30Ö

. Tubius River mouth 15° 30Ö 54° 30Ö

. Rastabius River mouth 16° 30Ö 54° 30Ö

. Sabrina Estuary 17° 20Ö 54° 30Ö

. Uxella Estuary 16° 0Ö 53° 30Ö

. Hercules promontory 14° 0Ö 53° 0Ö

. Antivestaorum or

Bolorium promontory 11° 0Ö 52° 30Ö

. Damonionium or

Ocrium promontory 12° 0Ö 51° 30Ö

§4 The outline of the southern coast close to the Britannic Sea after the Ocrium promontory.

. Cenio River mouth 14° 0Ö 51° 45Ö

. Tamarum River mouth 15° 40Ö 52° 10Ö

. Isca River mouth 17° 0Ö 52° 20Ö

. Alaunon River mouth 17° 40Ö 52° 40Ö

. Great Harbour 19° 0Ö 53° 0Ö

. Trisantonias River mouth 20° 20Ö 53° 0Ö

. New Harbour 21° 0Ö 53° 30Ö

. Cantian promontory 22° 0Ö 54° 0Ö

§5. Outline of the coast that faces both the rising sun and the southern regions, close besides the Germanicus Sea; after the Tarvendum promontory, being better known as Orcades.

. Virvedrum promontory 31° 0Ö 60° 0Ö

. Verubium promontory 31° 30Ö 59° 40Ö

. Ila River mouth 31° 0Ö 59° 40Ö

. High Crag 29° 0Ö 59° 40Ö

. Loxa River mouth 28° 30Ö 59° 40Ö

. Vara Estuary 27° 30Ö 59° 20Ö

. Tuasis Estuary 27° 0Ö 59° 0Ö

. Celnius River mouth 27° 0Ö 58° 45Ö

. Tascalon promontory 27° 30Ö 58° 30Ö

. Deva River mouth 26° 0Ö 58° 30Ö

. Taus Estuary 25° 0Ö 58° 20Ö

. Tina River mouth 24° 0Ö 58° 30Ö

. Boderis Estuary 22° 30Ö 58° 45Ö

 

§6. . Alaunus River mouth 21° 40Ö 58° 30Ö

. Vedra River mouth 20° 10Ö 58° 30Ö

. Dunum Bay 20° 15Ö 57° 30Ö

. Gabrantuicorum Bay being

known as Good Harbour. 21° 0Ö 57° 0Ö

. Ocalus promontory 21° 15Ö 56° 40Ö

. Abi River mouth 21° 0Ö 56° 30Ö

. Metaria Estuary 20° 30Ö 25° 40Ö

. Gariennus River mouth 21° 0Ö 25° 20Ö

. Prominent feature 21° 15Ö 25° 5Ö

. Eidomania River mouth 20° 10Ö 25° 0Ö

. Tamesa Estuary 20° 30Ö 54° 30Ö

. After this the Cantium

promontory 22° 0Ö 54° 0Ö

 

§7. The Novantes inhabit the north coast below the peninsula of the same name, in relation to which are the following towns;

. Locopibia 19° 0Ö 60° 20Ö

. Rerigonium 20° 10Ö 60° 40Ö

§8. Below these the Selgoves, amongst whom the towns;

. Carbantorigum 19° 0Ö 59° 50Ö

. Uxellum 18° 30Ö 59° 20Ö

. Corda 20° 0Ö 59° 40Ö

. Trimontium 19° 0Ö 59° 0Ö

§9. From these, a little to the north and to the east, the Damnoni in the following towns;

. Colanica 20° 30Ö 59° 10Ö

. Vindogara 21° 40Ö 60° 0Ö

. Coria 21° 30Ö 59° 20Ö

. Alauna 22° 45Ö 59° 20Ö

. Lindum 20° 0Ö 59° 30Ö

. Victoria 23° 30Ö 59° 0Ö

 

§10. The Gadini are more to the north but the Otadini are more to the south, in these towns;

. Coria 20° 10Ö 59° 0Ö

. Bremenium 21° 0Ö 58° 45Ö

§11. Next to the Damnoni but towards the east and more northerly, by the promontory of Epidium, are the Epidi and next to them towards the east, the Ceronei; then further east the Creones, then the Cornonai and Carini and further east still to its extreme, the Cornavi.

§12. From the Bay of Lemmanonia until the Vara estuary dwell the Caledonians, above whom is the Caledonian forest and further east the Decantes, next the Lugi joined to the territory of the Cornavi and above the Lugi are the Smertae.

§13. Above the Caledonians are the Vecomagi amongst whom are the following towns;

. Bannatia 24° 0Ö 59° 30Ö

. Tamia 25° 0Ö 59° 20Ö

. Camp of the Feathered

Emblen (Eagle) 27° 15Ö 59° 20Ö

. Tuesia 26° 30Ö 59° 10Ö

§14. Below these, but more to the west, the Venicones whose city is;

. Orrea 24° 0Ö 58° 45Ö

§15 More towards the east are the Taecali and their town;

. Devana 26° 15Ö 58° 15Ö

§16. Again, below the Segones and the Otedini is the territory of the Brigantes extending to each sea; and their towns are;

. Epiacum 18° 30Ö 58° 30Ö

. Vinovium 17° 30Ö 58° 0Ö

. Cataractonium 20° 0Ö 58° 0Ö

. Calatum 19° 0Ö 57° 45Ö

. Isurium 20° 0Ö 57° 40Ö

. Rigudunum 18° 0Ö 57° 30Ö

. Olicana 19° 0Ö 57° 30Ö

. Eboracum 20° 0Ö 57° 15Ö

§17. Legion Six Victorious

. Camulodunum 18° 45Ö 57° 0Ö

The territory near to Good Harbour is related to the Parisi whose town is;

. Petuaria 20° 40Ö 56° 40Ö

§18. Below these dwell the Brigantes while further to the west is the teritory of Ordovices, in which are the towns;

. Mediolanum 16° 45Ö 56° 20Ö

. Brannogenium 16° 0Ö 56° 15Ö

§19. More towards the east are the Cornavi whose towns;

. Deva and the Legion

XX Victorious 18° 30Ö 55° 0Ö

. Viroconium 16° 45Ö 55° 45Ö

§20. Next the Coritani and their towns;

. Lindum 18° 40Ö 55° 45Ö

. Ratae 18° 0Ö 55° 30Ö

§21. Then the Catachullauni and the Capelauni with their towns;

. Salinae 16° 0Ö 55° 40Ö

. Urolanium 19° 20Ö 55° 30Ö

After this the Simeni, related to the town;

. Venta 20° 30Ö 55° 20Ö

§22. And, further to the east, related to the Tamesa estuary are the Trinovantes, in this city;

. Camulodunum 21° 0Ö 55° 0Ö

 

§23. Again, below these people and joining on to them more to the west are the Demiae and the following towns;

. Luentinum 15° 30Ö 55° 10Ö

. Maridunum 15° 30Ö 55° 0Ö

§24. More to the east of these, the Silures and their town;

. Bullaeum 16° 20Ö 55° 0Ö

§25. After these are the Dobuni and their town;

. Corinium 18° 0Ö 54° 10Ö

§26. Then the Atrebates and their town;

. Calcena or Caleva 19° 0Ö 54° 15Ö

§27. Next, but further to the east, the Cantii and their towns;

. Londinium 20° 0Ö 54° 0Ö

. Daruernum 21° 0Ö 53° 40Ö

. Rutupiae 21 45Ö 54° 0Ö

§28. Again, lying under the Atrebates and the Cantii, the Regni and their town;

. Noeomagus 19° 45Ö 53° 25Ö

And below the Dobuni, the Belgae and towns;

. Ischalis 16° 40Ö 53° 30Ö

. Hot springs 17° 20Ö 53° 40Ö

. Venta 18° 40Ö 53° 30Ö

§29. To the west and south of these are the Durotriges and their town;

. Dunium 18° 0Ö 52° 35Ö

§30. Next to these but more to the west are the Dumnoni and their towns;

. Voliba 14° 45Ö 52° 20Ö

. Uxella 15° 0Ö 52° 45Ö

. Tamara 15° 0Ö 52° 15Ö

. Isca 17° 30Ö 52° 45Ö

. Legion II Augusta 17° 30Ö 52° 35Ö

 

§31. The islands which are close to Albion, in relation to the Orcades promontory;

. Scetis Island 32° 40Ö 60° 45Ö

. Dumna Island 30° 0Ö 61° 0Ö

Above these are the Orcades, about thirty by number, the central point holds the postition:

. Orcades 30° 0Ö 61° 40Ö

§32. Still further above these is Thule, the most extreme points of which hold the following positions;

. The most westerly 29° 0Ö 63° 0Ö

. The most easterly 31° 40Ö 63° 0Ö

. The most northerly 30° 20Ö 63° 15Ö

. The most southerly 30° 20Ö 62° 40Ö

. The central point 30° 20Ö 63° 0Ö

§33. In relation to the Trinovantes, these islands

. Toliapis 23° 0Ö 54° 20Ö

. Counus Island 24° 0Ö 54° 30Ö

Below the Great Harbour, Vectis Island the central point of holds the position;

. Vectis Island 19° 20Ö 52° 20Ö