[gothic-l] Ancient geographic world view and gothia

[dirk at SMRA.CO.UK]

For the discussion of placenames I thought it would be usefull to get
an understanding of what sort of 'mental' map people of the ancient
world had.

Under the following link there is a list of ancient maps.

http://www.thrudheim.org/sahsginotas

Of some interest is the map 205 IT, World Map, Strassburg 9th Cent.

The map shows the world divided in three segments by a river called
Tanais. In the 'European' segment are listed among others: Alamannia,
Gothia, Saxonia, Frisia, Italia. The general map outline, i.e. three
segments Europe, Asia, and Africa with the river Tanais dividing Asia
from Europe is a standard medieval world view, meaning that the name
Tanais does not really need to refere to any specific river like
Danube, Don or Dnjepr, although it is usually understood to refer to
the Don.

Also interesting is map 206, The Albi or Merovingian world map of the
8th century (the oldest world map). Interestingly, this map lumps all
people north of Italy and east of Gallia together in a 'Gothia'.

Map 205JJ, Isidore, 8th century presents the standard devision of the
world. According to Isidore Scythia/Gothia have been named by Magog,
son of Japhet. At the end of the known world, is the land of Barbaria,
so called on account of the wild tribes inhabiting it. Enumerated
among these tribes are the Alani, the Dacians, the Goths and the
Suevi.

These maps demonstrate vividly just how little even the better or the
best informed people had about the geography of Europe let alone the
World. I think that it is always important to bear this in mind when
trying to locate (real or imagined) place names from sagas on a modern
map.

cheers,

Dirk


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