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Christian Topography of Cosmas Indicopleustes

Byzantine (Egypt)

Not on view


Originally written in Greek by Alexandrian merchant Cosmas Indicopleustes ("[He] who sailed to India") in the sixth century, this copy of the book is a travelogue of sorts. Among the many maps Cosmas provided are those of trade routes along the coast of Africa, especially Aksum. For more than a thousand years, this book has been cared for by the monastic fathers of the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, Sinai. This text represents how significant documents originating from northern Africa circulated throughout the world.

Christian Topography of Cosmas Indicopleustes, Brown, white, and red ink and gold on parchment, Byzantine (Egypt)

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Photo: Father Daniel, Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine

Christian Topography of Cosmas Indicopleustes, Brown, white, and red ink and gold on parchment, Byzantine (Egypt)
Christian Topography of Cosmas Indicopleustes, Brown, white, and red ink and gold on parchment, Byzantine (Egypt)

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