Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

La sfera
Italy, probably Florence, second half of 15th century
MS M.721 fol. 15v, 16r

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In lower margin, across page opening, map inscribed ASIA MINOR. Most bodies of water painted green, with names in red flaking away, making them illegible. At far right, M(ARE) DINDIA, M(ARE) OCCEANO. Below, Red Sea painted red, not inscribed. Rivers inscribed including TIGRIS, EUFREATES, IORDANO and F(IUME?) NILLO.
Mountains inscribed ECMINIA M(ONTE?); Noah’s ark, inscribed ARCA NOE, resting on two points of mountain top.
Countries or regions inscribed TARTARIA (Romania?), PERSIA, MESOPOTAMIA, CALDEA, INDIA, SABEA (Yemen), ARABIA, SIRIA, SINAI, ETHIOPIA, EGITTO, and GION (?).
Cities as walls enclosing buildings, some domed, crenellated, with and without towers inscribed TANA (?), NINIUE, DOMASCO, BALDAC (Bagdad), BABILONIA and KAYRO.