<i>Cartography in Antiquity and the Middle Ages: Fresh Perspectives, New Methods</i> (review)
Victoria Morse
Reviewed by: Cartography in Antiquity and the Middle Ages: Fresh Perspectives, New Methods Victoria Morse (bio) Methods. Edited by R. J. A. Talbert R.W. Unger. Leiden: Brill, 2008. Pp. xxi+299. €99. This volume, drawn from papers presented 2005 at Thirty-fifth Medieval Workshop University of British Columbia, presents a wide-ranging but remarkably coherent balanced set essays that will be important reading for anyone interested ancient or medieval cartography. It is dedicated to memory Brian Harley (d. 1991) David Woodward 2004), founder-editors The History published Chicago Press beginning 1987. showcase some vigorous growth field since volume 1 appeared, which must attributed large part Woodward's influential work. In particular, as editors point out their introduction, it was loosening definition map opened many new pathways serious study pre-modern Although Patrick Gautier Dalché points lingering habits mind still distort our understanding these maps historical contexts, all this volume's authors take seriously need interpret broader social contexts balance quest origins with an awareness map's function time its production. Particularly praiseworthy respect breadth: on Land Canaan Rashi's commentaries (Benjamin Z. Kedar), Byzantine representations paradise (Maja Kominko), newly discovered Islamic Book Curiosities (Emilie Savage-Smith Yossef Rapoport) present aspects cartography are often treated separately Christian European cartography, thereby restoring cultural religious plurality period opening up discussion among scholars across language barriers texts (Hebrew,Arabic, Greek, Latin). breadth extends genres well, Lucy Donkin's essay mosaic floor relation liturgy. Two contributors deal transition Renaissance engaging question naturalization way illustrating world Gregorio Dati's Sfera (Raymond Clemens) late French chronicles (Camille Serchuk). A second goal conference, articulated encourage greater dialogue historians objective stems Richard Talbert's work Peutinger Table. late-Roman copied Ages rediscovered Renaissance, document underscores understand [End Page 239] premodern multiple contexts. core perspective, series dealing Table connections between Roman early two introduction provide overview vexed consciousness societies (Talbert) equally delicate problem "ancient heritage" (Gautier Dalché). Jennifer Trimble focuses how Severan Marble Plan Rome conveyed message imperial authority semiliterate audience. emphasize importance antique models geographical cartographical components Carolingian ambitions, one arguing fact product ninth century (Emily Albu), other references panegyrics demonstrate continued familiarity school (Natalia Lozovsky). also focus contribution Evelyn Edson questioning terminology types proposed Cartography, vol. 1. Finally, project headed coeditor digitization discussed detail Tom Elliott. Overall, provides impressive current directions history ancient...
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