Fragments of muhammad alidrisis tabula rogeriana in. Alidrisi was born in morocco, travelled in north africa and europe, and entered the service of roger ii king of sicily for whom he made this map as part of the book of pleasant journeys to faraway lands also known as the book of roger tabula rogeriana. The book is recognized for its groundbreaking world map and its accompanying descriptions and information regarding the areas shown in the map. Almost years ago, he drew one of the most detailed. Rabat king roger ii invited charif alidrisi to his kingdom and gave him a high ranking in the kingdoms scientific circles. In the year 18, the royal palace at palermo, sicily was the scene of a longawaited meeting between an unusual christian king and a. Al idrisi worked on the commentaries and illustrations of the map for fifteen years at the court of the norman king roger ii of sicily, who commissioned the work around 18. Al idrisi s book nuzhat al mushtaq fi ikhtiraq al afaq,the delight of him who desires to journey through the climates is a geographical encyclopedia which contains detailed maps and information on european countries, africa and asia. Alsharif alidrisi, world map, 1154 a history of the world.
Al idrisi later wrote two comprehensive geographical texts, apparently for roger s son william ii. Setting to work, al idrisi consulted all the books and travel reports he could find, synthesizing knowledge from arabic, latin and classical sources on the subject. Setting to work, alidrisi consulted all the books and travel reports he could find, synthesizing knowledge from arabic, latin and classical sources on the subject. Attached to the book, there was a map of the known world, on a silver. Tabula rogeriana latin for book of roger is the name of a publication created by arab cartographer muhammad alidrisi in 1154 under the guidance of king roger ii of sicily. The book of roger in latin, is a description of the world and world map created by the arab geographer, muhammad al idrisi, in 1154. Al idrisis book however survived and is widely known as the book of roger, after the name of its patron.
In 1154, after 18 years of toil, al idrisi produced his magnum opus, a map which came to be called the tabula rogeriana, or the book of roger. Alidrisi sent travelers and geographers around the world to gather knowledge for this updated map and others. The book of roger is a 12th century geographical compendium written in arabic by alidrisi. The map of roger in latin was a world map drawn by the arab geographer, muhammad al idrisi, in 1154. The book of roger is a 12th century geographical compendium written in arabic by al idrisi. This is one of the oldest copies of alidrisis world map, with indication of the seven climates of the world. But, actually, the work he is most known for is the tabula rogeriana, a collection of maps attached to the book that offers a geographical worldview very different to the one that we are used to in the west. Modern consolidation, created from alidrisis 70 doublepage spreads, shown upsidedown as the original had south at the top. Roger ii hired alidrisi to create an updated world map. The map of the world made by the 12thcentury islamic cartographer al idrisi for roger ii of sicily was a masterpiece of mapping which remained the most technically sophisticated worldmap for three centuries after its production. Abu abdullah muhammad ibn muhammad ibn abdullah al idrisi, also known as asshareef al idrisi, was one of the greatest geographers and cartographers in the 12 th century ce, if not the top geographer of his time, one whose capacity at visualising and putting into words what the world looked like was not matched by any contemporary mind in europe where he resided at the court.
It was a chart of the known world comprising europe, asia, and north africa and the horn of africa and extending all the way to southeast asia. The tabula rogeriana, also known in english as the book of roger, is the finest work of geography of its age. Tabula rogeriana project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Muhammad alidrisi 109911656 was a moroccan muslim geographer, cartographer, egyptologist and. Nuzhat almushtaq fi ikhtiraq alafaq, or the delight of one who wishes to traverse the regions of the world, or more simply alkitab alrujari, the book of roger. Nov 21, 20 the entertainment for he who longs to travel the world was an arabic geographical book written in sicily in 1154 by the muslim scholar alsharif alidrisi. View diagrams download paper download images synopsis the last paragraph of the prologue to the book of roger sets down specifically that there will be 70 tableaux or maps accompanying the text. In the book of roger kitab ruyar or nuzhat almustaq fi ikhtiraq alafaq, compiled ad1153 for king roger 2nd of sicily by mohammad alidrisi, which is an. His work, marking the end of the classical age of arab geograph. Al idrisi and representations of the medieval muslim worldoverviewashsharif al idrisi 11001165.
Alidrisi presented the planisphere, a silver celestial sphere and the book to his patron in 1154, just a few weeks before roger died at 58, probably of a heart attack. Al idrisi was the main character in tariq alis book entitled a sultan in palermo. Muhammad alidrisi 1100 1165 born in ceuta in andalusian spain was the arab writer of a famous treatise on geography that was loosely based on ptolemy and updated through alidrisis time. The book of roger in arabic or tabula rogeriana lit. His work, marking the end of the classical age of arab geography, sums up much of its achievement. The text commences with flowery words concerning god and the illustrious roger king of sicily, of italy. Alidrisi worked on the accompanying commentaries and illustrations of the map the book of roger for eighteen years at the court of the norman king roger ii of sicily. That however may not have been his primary northern latitude.
Alidrisi and representations of the medieval muslim worldoverviewashsharif alidrisi 11001165. In a world map to which the book acted as a guide, idrisi divided the earth into seven horizontal climatic zones, each divided longitudinally into ten sections. Abu abdullah muhammad ibn muhammad ibn abdullah alidrisi, also known as asshareef alidrisi, was one of the greatest geographers and cartographers in the 12 th century ce, if not the top geographer of his time, one whose capacity at visualising and putting into words what the world looked like was not matched by any contemporary mind in europe where he resided at the court. That of course is the translation from the french text, but the direct arabic translation reads. Drawing on several centuries of islamic cartographic research, alidrisi produced both a book of 70 maps covering the surface of the known world, and a single, round map engraved onto a silver disk and set into a wooden table, with mecca at its centre.
Feb 08, 2012 the normans e3 book of roger pavel voronin. In correct muslim usage al idrisi begins his preface with an extended praise of a merciful and beneficent god. Alidrisi, the book of roger, and the importance of water funci. Alidrisi10991166 arab geographer and cartographer alidrisi also known by his short name alsharif alidrisi alqurtubi was one of the most renowned arab geographers of his day. The book of roger in latin, is a description of the world and world map created by the arab geographer, muhammad alidrisi, in 1154. He was born in ceuta in north africa and is said to have studied in cordoba, travelling widely throughout andalusia and north africa. Alidrisi worked on the commentaries and illustrations of the map for fifteen years at the court of the norman king roger ii of sicily, who commissioned the work around 18. It was comprised of a silver disc some 80 inches across and weighing over 300 pounds 203 cm and 7 kg with alidrisis map engraved upon it and an accompanying book. The text of al idrisi is a tourdeforce in geographical exploration and deserves the highest praise not only for his work but that of roger 2nd of sicily in collecting an enormous amount of geographical information to enable the book of roger to be written. Created by arab geographer muhammad alidrisi for king roger ii of sicily, the tabula rogeriana latin for the book of roger contains both an extraordinarily accurate partialworld map, and cultural and political commentaries on the seven climate zones it represents. Recreating the lost silver map of alidrisi factum foundation. Kitab ruyar means book of roger this is alidrisis geography book named after his employer roger ii of sicily alidrisi did not travel to the lands he described, he collected all information from hear say.
In the year 18, the royal palace at palermo, sicily was the scene of a longawaited meeting. As part of this campaign, he asked the young alidrisi to develop a geographical compendium of the world, and an atlas, a task to which alidrisi devoted fifteen years. Almost years ago, he drew one of the most detailed world maps ever. Jul 16, 2019 as part of this campaign, he asked the young alidrisi to develop a geographical compendium of the world, and an atlas, a task to which alidrisi devoted fifteen years. This, together, with the accompanying map has been referred to as the tabula rogeriana a world map and description made by alidrisi for the. It does not mention that a world map, circular or otherwise should accompany. As a geographer and adviser to roger ii, the norman king of sicily, he also helped to bridge the. The silver planisphere has been lost, but the maps and book have survived. Some scholars regard him as the greatest geographer and cartographer of the middle ages. King roger ii actually held the lands of sicily, apulia and calabria. A map by piri reis, from his 16thcentury book kitab albahriyya, shows cyprus depicts same object. Alidrisis 12th century map commissioned by the norman king roger of sicily. Al idrisi worked on the accompanying commentaries and illustrations of the map the book of roger for eighteen years at the court of the norman king roger ii of sicily.
Alidrisis 12th century map commissioned by the norman. Al idrisi s ideas on mare tenebrarum clarification needed are alluded to in pascal merciers book entitled night train to lisbon. Alidrisis great work of descriptive geography is known as kitab rujar, or alkitab arrujari the book of roger or in latin. Surat alard lilsharif alidrisi almutawaffa sanat 560, reprinted 1951. He also made original contributions in medicinal plants. Al idrisi sent travelers and geographers around the world to gather knowledge for this updated map and others. The book was completed shortly before king roger s death.
Muhammad alidrisi biography childhood, life achievements. Kitab ruyar means book of roger this is al idrisi s geography book named after his employer roger ii of sicily al idrisi did not travel to the lands he described, he collected all information from hear say. This book presents a remarkably rational and unterritorial vision of the world. Alidrisi worked on the commentaries and illustrations of the map for fifteen. Roger ii hired al idrisi to create an updated world map. For reasons which are unclear, he settled at the court of king roger ii of sicily r.
Abu abdullah muhammad ibn muhammad ibn abdullah alidrisi, also known as asshareef alidrisi, was one of the greatest geographers and cartographers in the 12 th century ce, if not the top geographer of his time, one whose capacity at visualising and putting into words what the world looked like was not matched by any contemporary mind in europe where he resided at the court of king roger ii of. Surat alard lilsharif alidrisi almutawaffa sanat 560, reprinted 1951 alidrisi was born in morocco, travelled in north africa and europe, and entered the service of roger ii king of sicily for whom he made this map as part of the book of pleasant journeys to faraway lands also known as the book of roger tabula rogeriana. The great wall of china can be seen in the bottom left. The circular map contained in the text of al idrisi is as been shown and explained a simple geometric construct for which the arabic world is famous. Alidrisi is a major character in karol szymanowksis 1926 opera king roger. Muhammad ibn muhammad alidrisi facts yourdictionary. The map of roger in latin, is a description of the world and world map created by the arab geographer muhammad alidrisi in. Alidrisi and the king sent expeditions to remote places to record and draw what they saw.
Idrisi article about idrisi by the free dictionary. Alidrisi understood the world to be round, and the disc. His preface discussed cgid4d01 the text commences with flowery words concerning god and the illustrious roger king of sicily, of italy, of lombardy and of calabria, a roman prince. Alidrisi completed the book in january 1154, shortly before rogers death. This monumental compendium, called alkitab arrujari the book of roger, is the most important geographic work of the period. Alidrisi, the book of roger, and the importance of water. This arab muslim scholar, alidrisi, is one of the most famous geographers of all time. The result of his work was a manuscript titled nuzhat almustaq fikhtiraq alafaq, or the book of roger. The entertainment for he who longs to travel the world was an arabic geographical book written in sicily in 1154 by the muslim scholar alsharif alidrisi. Mar 09, 2017 roger commissioned al idrisi to create maps for him of the entire known world. The author was possibly born in morocco in 1100 and began his travels at the age of 16, visiting asia. The map of roger in latin was a world map drawn by the arab geographer, muhammad alidrisi, in 1154.
Ashsharif alidrisi, arab geographer, an adviser to roger ii, the norman king of sicily. He wrote one of the greatest works of medieval geography, kitab nuzhat almushtaq fi ikhtiraq alafaq the pleasure excursion of one who is eager to traverse the regions of the world. In the year 18, the royal palace at palermo, sicily was the scene of a longawaited meeting between an unusual christian king and a distinguished muslim scholar. Abu addullah muhammad ibn muhammad ibn addallah ibn idrisi 10991166 was the creator of one of the most famous cartographic works in. Maqbul ahmad, alidrlsi, in dictionary of scientific bio. From al idrisi we learn that rogers territorial hold over north. Icon of the renaissance empires of discovery christopher columbus the publishing industry king henry viii. As well as the planisphere, al idrisi also made a world map which divided earth north of the equator into 70 sections and wrote a book titled kita rujar the book of roger or roger s book. The book of roger by brady hibbs scholarly commons. Nov 21, 2011 in 1154, after 18 years of toil, alidrisi produced his magnum opus, a map which came to be called the tabula rogeriana, or the book of roger. Tabula rogeriana latin for book of roger is the name of a publication created by.
Al idrisi uses the northern latitude of the oikoumene, which he states as 64 0 n and simply divides it into 7 equal parts. Under the service of king roger ii of sicily, he dispatched draftsmen around the world and used the information they returned to compile the most uptodate world maps of his time. The arab geographer muhammad ibn muhammad alidrisi 11001165 wrote the book of roger, a world geography, for king roger ii of sicily. In 1154, after 18 years of toil, alidrisi produced his magnum opus, a map which came to be called the tabula rogeriana, or the book of roger. The tabula rogeriana, drawn by alidrisi for roger ii of sicily in 1154, one of the most advanced medieval world maps. Alidrisi and representations of the medieval muslim world. Al idrisi is a major character in karol szymanowksis 1926 opera king roger. It was commissioned by the islands norman ruler, king roger ii, and drew on greek, islamic and christian knowledge in creating one of the greatest medieval compendiums of geographical knowledge. His work, marking the end of the classical age of arab geography, sums up much of its achievem.
Alidrisis book came to be known as kitab rujar rogers book and the. The map of roger in latin, is a description of the world and world map created by the arab geographer muhammad alidrisi in 1154. Alidrisi was the main character in tariq alis book entitled a sultan in palermo. The arab geographer muhammad ibn muhammad al idrisi 11001165 wrote the book of roger, a world geography, for king roger ii of sicily. The author was possibly born in morocco in 1100 and began his travels at the age of 16, visiting asia minor, the southern coast of france, england, spain, and north africa. He also named charif alidrisi as head of a group of scientists. Maqbul ahmad 1 book ofroger university of chicago press. The book of roger muhammed al idrisi was a celebrated arab geographer. Sep 21, 2017 alidrisis great work of descriptive geography is known as kitab rujar, or alkitab arrujari the book of roger or in latin. View diagrams download paper download images synopsis the preface to the text actually gives little information concerning the geographical text which is to follow. Muhammad alidrisi also known as abu abd allah muhammad alidrisi alqutubi alhasani alsabti was a muslim cartographer, geographer, traveler and egyptologist famous for his travels all over europe, africa and asia and mapping the regions he travelled in.
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