Routledge The Shaping of Africa: Cosmographic Discourse and Cartographic Science in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe (Routledge Revivals)

Product Description This title was first published in 2002. When did Africa emerge as a continent in the European mind? This book aims to trace the origins of the idea of Africa and its evolution in Renaissance thought. Particular attention is given to the relationship between the process of acquiring knowledge through travel and exploration, and its representation within a discourse which also includes previously acquired cosmographical elements. Among the themes investigated are: How did the image of Africa evolve from the conception of a symbolic space to a Euclidean representation? How did the Renaissance rediscovery of Antiquity interact with the Portuguese discoveries along the African coast? And once Africa was circumnavigated, how was the inner landmass depicted in the absence of first-hand knowledge? Also, overall, in this whole process what was the interplay of myth and reality? Review '... utilizing a host of both primary and secondary sources written in several languages, the author has produced an intelligent, complex, and deeply thoughtful study that explores the subject matter with thoroughness and scholarly sensitivity. Notes and references at the end of every chapter offer relevant information on the subject matter; the bibliography is very detailed.' Sixteenth Century Journal '... an insightful book of interest to scholars of the Renaissance and cartography alike.' Itinerario '... useful, well organized, thoughtful, and often revealing.' The International History Review 'In this important and lavishly illustrated book, the author convincingly analyses European ideas of space and shows how they were translated into medieval and Renaissance cartography.' Kleio About the Author Francesc Relano