DUERINCK’S PAGE ON PTOLEMY'S "GEOGRAPHIA"
Claudius Ptolemy was a Roman scholar who lived between 90 and 170 AD. There were many errors in his latitude and longitude settings due to miscalculating the earth's circumference and assuming the earth covered only 180 degrees of longitude. [Source: Ptolemy’s Geography by Alexander Jones (Princeton University Press, 2000).] The following text of Ptolemy is part of the Internet Medieval Source Book. The Sourcebook is a collection of public domain and copy-permitted texts related to medieval and Byzantine history. Quote from the Sourcebook: "Unless otherwise indicated the specific electronic form of the document is copyright. Permission is granted for electronic copying, distribution in print form for educational purposes and personal use. If you do reduplicate the document, indicate the source. No permission is granted for commercial use." Be aware that scholarly circles do not put a lot of credence into many of the latitude and longitude bearings given by Ptolemy. Some of the regions are unidentifiable.
Section 11 LOCATION OF THE PROVINCE OF GREATER GERMANIA
§1. The western side of Germania is bounded by the river Rhine, the northern by the Germanic Ocean. It holds this outline (between the mouth of the river Rhine, from this part 28° 0? 54° 0?
Manarmanis harbour 27° 20? 54° 45?
Mouth of the Vedrou river 28° 0? 54° 20?
Mouth of the Amasion river 29° 0? 55° 0?
(Germania Deutera)
Well springs of the river 32° 0? 52° 0?
Mouth of the Visurgius river 31° 0? 55° 15?
Well springs of the river 34° 0? 52° 30?
Mouth of the Albius river 31° 0? 56° 15?
Well springs of the river 39° 0? 50° 0?
§2. Of the Cimbrici Peninsula
Beginning alongside the Albios river 32° 0? 56° 50?
The start of the peninsula 35° 0? 58° 20?
§3. Northern point of the peninsula 39° 0? 59° 30?
The furthermost point east 40° 15? 59° 30?
The beginning of the peninsula 39° 20? 58° 15?
Below the peninsula 37° 0? 57° 0?
§4. Turning towards the east. 35° 0? 56° 0?
Mouth of the Chalouson river 37° 0? 56° 0?
Mouth of the Souebos river 39° 30? 56° 0?
Mouth of the Viadon river 42° 10? 56° 0?
Mouth of the Vistoula river 45° 0? 56° 0?
Head of the river 44° 0? 52° 30?
To the west of this and bearing on
the Albios 40° 10? 52° 40?
§5. The boundary on the southern side and part of the western is of the Danube river, the location of which has such of a kind.
The headwaters of the Danube 30° 0? 46° 20?
Alongside where the river first turns into Germania 32° 0? 47° 15?
Where the river turning bears towards the south, being called.
Ainos 34° 0? 47° 20?
Where the river turning bears towards the north and another river
against the Gambretan Forest. 36° 0? 46? 40?
Next where the river turning against the Lunan Forest by a mountain
stream from the north.
River 39° 20? 47° 20?
Thereupon turning around, it wheels
towards the south 40° 40? 47° 50?
In relation to the turn of the river towards the south, those places
called.
Narabon 41° 0? 47° 40?
In relation to the Curtan turn 42° 0? 47° 0?
Thereupon, in relation to the Carpins, the whole river wheels round
more to the north. 42° 30? 48° 0?
§6. The boundary that forms the eastern side, being situated over the
fastness of the Sarmatian mountain from this turning point, the
southern extremity has the position. 42° 30? 48° 30?
The northern 43° 30 50° 30?
And between the mountains towards the head of the Vistula river until
the sea, it follows the river itself.
§7. Germania is encircled by mountains called idiosyncratically Sarmaticos, and their namesake
the Alps and which form the headwaters of the Danube, being of the following locations 29° 0? 47°
0? and 33° 0? 48° 30?
and being called the Abnoba, have the
location 31° 0? 49° 0?
and 31° 0? 52° 0?
and the Melibocos mountains 33° 0? 52° 30?
and 37° 0? 52° 30?
The Semanos Forest and the Asciborgion,
these have the location 39° 0? 54° 0?
and 44° 0? 52° 30?
And again the mountain called Sudeta
whose location is 34° 0? 50° 0?
and 40° 0? 50° 0?
Below this is the Gambreta Forest;
being between it and the Sarmaticos
is the oak coppice of Ocunios.
§8. The smaller Bousacteri and the Sugambri occupy that part of Germania alongside the river Rhine, being the first from the north.
§9. Below them the Soenbi Langobardi then the Tenceri and Igcrioni between the Rhine and the Abnobaios mountains
and the Intouergi
and the Varginoni
and the Caritni
§10. Below these Vispi and the deserted habitations of the Elvetii located between the Alps
mountains.
§11. The Frissii occupy a position that lays near to the Boiusacteri, between them and the
Amasion river.
Next to these the lesser Cauchi near the Visurgios river.
Then, the greater Cauchi near the Albios river and next to the throat of the Cimbrian peninsula,
the Saxonii.
In the western part of this peninsula and above the Saxonii, the Sigoulones,
Then the Sabaligii,
Then the Cobandi
While the Foundousi still further to the west of these, are more to
the east of the Charoudi,
while at the very north, the Cimbri
§13. Near to the Saxonii and between the Calouson river and the Suebos river, the Farodeini.
§14. Then the Seidini with the Routicleii between the Iadoua and the Vistula rivers.
§15. Of the people within the interior of country, the greatest are the Suebi Angeili and are spread out further to the east, the Langobardi towards the north between the middle Albios river and the Suebi Semnoni, the Bourgountiones extend between the Albios and a location to the east of the Suebos river and occupy a range of country near the Vistula river.
§16. Lesser ethnic groups exist between the lesser Cauchi and the Suebi and are the greater Bousacteri.
Below these the Chaimi.
Between the greater Cauchi and the Suebi are the Angriouari
§17. Then the Laccobardi
below these the Dulgumnii,
Between the Saxoni and the Suebi, the Teutonicri and the Viroli.
Between the Farodeni and the Suebi, the Teutones and the Aurpi.
Between the Routiclones and Bougouni, the Ailouaiones.
§18. Again below the Semnones live the Siliggi, below the Bougouuntii are
the Lougii Omanni,
below the Lougii Dounii (or Loggididounii) near the Asciburgis mountains.
§19. Below the Siliggi, the Caloucones, both sides of the Albios river,
below these the Chairousici and the Chamauosi near the Melibocos mountains.
§20. Being towards the east, around the Albios river, the Bainochaimi,
above these the Bateini and above these, under the Ascibourgios mountains, the Corcontii and Lougii Bourii near the head of the Vistula river.
§21. Under these, first the Sidones, then the Cognii.
then the Visbourgii above the Orcunion oak coppice.
§22. Again to the east and above the Abnobaios mountains and the Suebi,
live the Casouarii,
then the Nertereanbi
then the Dandoutii
under these the Touronii
and the Marvingi.
§23. Under the Chamoui, the Chatti and Toubanti,
and above the Sudeti mountain the Teuriochaimi, below the mountain
the Varisti.
§24. Then the Gambreta Forest, and below the Marouiggii, the Couriones,
then the Chaitouopi,
and, near the Danube river, the Parmaicampi.
§25. Below the Gambreta Forest the Marcomani,
below these the Soudeni, and near the Danube river, the Adrabaicamii.
§26. Below the Orcunion oak coppice, the Couardii,
below these the iron mining location and the Louna Forest,
below is the large ethnic group, the Baimii near the Danube and these
continue with the Teracatriai near the river and towards the Campii,
the Racatii
§27. The ancient towns occuring around Germania in the northern climate.
Fleoum 28° 50? 54° 45?
Siatoutanda 29° 20? 54° 20?
Tecelia 31° 0? 55° 0?
Fabiranon 31° 30? 55° 20?
Treva 33° 0? 55° 40?
Leufana 34° 15? 54° 40?
Lirimiris 34° 30? 55° 30?
Marionis 34° 30? 54° 50?
the other Marionis 36° 0? 55° 35?
Coinoenon 36° 20? 55° 30?
Astouia 37° 20? 54° 30?
Aleisos 38° 0? 55° 0?
Lacibourgion 39° 0? 55° 35?
Bounition 39° 30? 55° 30?
Virounon 40° 30? 55° 0?
Virition 41° 0? 54° 30?
Rugion 42° 30? 55° 40?
Scurgon 43° 0? 55° 0?
Ascaucalis 44° 0? 54° 15?
§28. The ancient towns on the climatic zone below.
Asciburgion 27° 45? 42° 30±
Navalia 28° 10? 43° 10?
Mediolanion 28° 45? 53° 45?
Teuderion 29° 30? 53° 20?
Bogadion 30° 15? 52° 0?
Stere(n)ontion 31° 0? 52° 10?
Amaseia 31° 30? 51° 30?
Mountion 31° 40? 52° 30?
Toulifouron 32° 0? 54° 0?
Ascalingion 32° 30? 53° 45?
Toulisurgion 32° 40? 53° 20?
Feugaron 32° 40? 52° 15?
Canduon 33° 0? 51° 20?
Tropaia Druson 33° 45? 52° 45?
Luppia 34° 30? 52° 45?
Mesouion 35° 30? 53° 45?
Argelia 36° 30? 52° 20?
Calaigia 37° 30? 52° 20?
Lupfurdon 38° 30? 51° 40?
Susudata 38° 30? 55° 50?
Colancoron 39° 0? 53° 30?
Lugiduunon 39° 30? 52° 30?
Stragona 39° 20? 51° 40?
Limiosaleion 41° 0? 53° 30?
Budorigon 41° 0? 52° 40?
Leucaristos 41° 45? 52° 40?
Arsonion 43° 30? 52° 20?
Calisia 43° 45? 52° 50?
Setidava 44° 0? 53° 30?
§29. Ancient towns in the climate below this.
Aleison 28° 0? 51° 30?
Budoris 28° (30?) 51° 0?
Mattiacon 30° 0? 50° 50?
Artaunon 30° (10?) 50° 0?
Novaision 31°
Melocauos or Melocabos 31° 30? 50° 20?
Gravionarion 31° 45? 50° 10?
Locoriton 31° 30? 49° 20?
Segodounon 31° 30? 49° 0?
Deovona 32° 30? 48° 45?
Bergion 33° 0? 49° 30?
Menosgada 34° 0? 49° 30?
Bicurgion 34° 30? 51° 15?
Marobudon 35° 0? 49° 0?
Redintuinon 38° 30? 50° 30?
Nomisterion 39° 0? 51° 0?
Meliodunon 39° 0? 49° 0?
Casurgis 39° 15? 50° 10?
Strevinta 39° 15? 49° 30?
Egitmatia or Egematia 39° 40? 51° 0?
Budorgis 40° 0? 50° 30?
Eburon 41° 0? 49° 30?
Arsicua 41° 40? 49° 0?
Parienna 42° 0? 49° 20?
Setovia 42° (30?) 50° 0?
Carrodunon 42° 40? 51° 30?
Asanca 43° 0? 50° 20?
§30. In the remainder, these ancient towns around the Danube river.
Tarodounon 28° 20? 47° 50?
Flavian Altars 30° 40? 48° 0?
Riusiava 31° 0? 47° 30?
Alcimoennis 32° 30? 47° 30?
Cantioibis 32° 40? 48° 20?
Bibacon 33° 0? 48° 0?
Brodentia 33° 45? 48° 0?
Setuacoton 34° 0? 48° 20?
Usbion 35° 0? 47° 0?
Abiluon 35° 20? 47° 20?
Furgisatis 36° 0? 48° 0?
Coridorgis 37° 15? 48° 30?
Medoslanion 38° 0? 47° 10?
Felicia 39° 0? 48° 30?
Eburodunon 39° 0? 48° 0?
Anduaition 40° 30? 47° 40?
Celamantia 41° 0? 47° 40?
Singone 41° 30? 48° 15?
Anabon or Anavon 41° 50? 47° 30?
§31. Three islands situated above Germania
near the mouth of the Albios river
called Saxonone hold a position between
the locations. 31° 0? 57° 40?
§32. Above the Cimbrican Peninsula another
three islands called Alocia, hold the
position between the locations. 37° 0? 59° 20?
§33. To the east of the peninsula four called
Scandia, three smaller being in the middle
hold the position. 41° 30? 58° 0?
§34. The greatest one and more to the east near
the mouth of the Vistula river, while its
western extremity holds the position 43° 0? 58° 0?
Its eastern extremity is 46° 0? 58° 0?
Its northern extremity is 44° 30? 58° 30?
Its southern extremity is 45° 0? 57° 40?
§35. And this is called Scandia locally,
and is occupied in the west by the
Chaideini,
in the east by the Fauona,
and the Firaisi,
and in the south by the Goutii and the Dauciones,
and in the centre by the Leuoni.
Duerinck's History of the Franks
Tacitus on the Germanic Tribes
Tompsett's Directory of Royal Genealogical Data (genealogical listings)
Bruce R. Gordon's Regnal Chronologies (chronological lists, good for succession)
The Labyrinth (Resources for Medieval Studies: Georgetown University)
Florilegium (Canadian annual journal devoted to the ancient and medieval cultures of Europe, North Africa, and the Near East)
Yahoo Germanic-L List (Early Germanic Peoples from Prehistory to circa 800 AD)
Yahoo Gothic-L List (discussions must relate to the Gothic tribes)
Root sweb Medieval Genealogy Message Board
GenForum Medieval Forum Message Board
Archaeological Resource Guide for Europe
ArchNet (World Wide Web Virtual Library for Archaeology)
Anthro.Net (Anthropology on the World Wide Web)
Anthro.Net (Roman History)
The History Of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (by Edward Gibbon; etext)
"Getica", or "The Origin and Deeds of the Goths" (by Jordanes, translated by Charles C. Mierow; etext). Jordanes wrote this summary of Cassiodorus' much longer treatment (a lost work) of the history of the Goths).
European medieval maps (excellent maps 530, 565, 600 A.D.)
"Heimskringla" or "The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway" [by Snorri Sturluson (c. 1179 - 1241) (Online Medieval and Classical Library Release #15b)]
Ptolemy's Geographia Book 6 (Gaul)
Ptolemy's Geographia Book 7 (Germania)
Ptolemy's Geographia Book 8 (Danube Provinces)
Host Kingdom's German Tribes and Rulers
Roman's Online, tribes and links galore
WWW Virtual Library History Index for Medieval Europe
Y Chromosone Evidence for Anglo Saxon Mass Migration (2002) (pdf file)
Y Chromosone Census of the British Isles (pdf file)
Copyright © 2004-2007 Kevin F. Duerinck