Analyzing Maps of Antiquity

Maps of antiquity offer a unique chance to see the world through another generation’s eyes. In early America they often tell stories of European dominance on the coasts with significant amounts of unknown, intimidating land between. In addition, these maps often feature pagan depictions on the margins and within the piece.

One map, Chartacosmographica, cum ventorum propria natura et operatione, by Peter Apian is a perfect example of a large world view map with prominent pagan drawings. Published in 1544, the map barely depicts North America. In the land mass that is South America there a few small depictions of barbarous native peoples. In the water there are many ships and swells of waves. On the border of the map there are many bodies and faces that are shown blowing wind onto the map. As the centerpiece at the top there are two large male figures surrounded by white space that seem to mimic the shape of the sun and the moon.

This map primarily shows the incompetence of explorers at the time. The landmasses were not yet accurately defined and neither were the small drawings on them. Valarie Babb explains it like so, “[this] indicates how the European imagination superimposed on a territory it had yet to traverse familiar images inspired by previous exploration.” The map also shows that at this time they were just beginning to build confidence since it features many ships in the water but among various treacherous patches. In later pieces it is clear that they have full confidence because they no longer make notice of the treachery of the oceans. The pagan depictions featured on the map symbolize interesting beliefs. This again shows that there are higher beings working with the sailors—the ones that are creating wind. It shows that they are not yet the most confident in their abilities to navigate without the dominant sun and moon in the sky, too.

Another map from 1640 called America septentrionalis by Hendrik Hondius shows North America up close. It features many small ships in the water as well as animals that are both recognizable and not on land. At the top surrounding the title of the map are two Natives dressed in animal skins carrying bows and arrows. They are followed by more Natives carrying other weapons. Below the main section of the map there are smaller depictions of cherub-like boys with fish tails.

This map clearly shows greater confidence among the Europeans along with common themes of what a Native is. Babb said, “Its visuals depict a primitive, fur-draped people holding spears and a leopard-like animal standing nearby” about a similar map. She would similarly argue that this is a dehumanizing definition of a Native people.

Overall, these maps tell a bigger story than just that of the land. They explain the people, beliefs, and how they interacted with the land. Understanding these important historical documents is the foundation for an in-depth knowledge of America. 

Pre-National Documents

There are various pre-national documents that offer insight into the society in which America began. Two fairly popular narratives are those of John Smith and Mary Rowlandson. Both feature stories of captivity, but they share so much more. They outline the way in which an American identity was formed amidst a new context. Not only do these documents define the pre-national culture, they foreshadow the values of a budding nation.

John Smith’s narrative The General History of Virginia is a piece that is doused in conceit. Despite being a narrative, it is written mostly in third person. The piece describes Smith’s experience in Virginia, which includes being taken captive by “savages.” The text is full of other dehumanizing phrases and words so that it is clear that the Natives are not equal to the whites.

In A Narrative of the Captivity and Resistance of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson by Mary Rowlandson there is a similar tone regarding Native Americans. Although from a very different viewpoint, the narrative contains even more demeaning language. Her story begins with a recount of her capture and continues to describe her three “removes” or three segments of her journey with the Natives. Her narrative is written with long paragraphs that emphasize her stress and build to eventful moments. By the end the reader can’t help but to see the “savages” as an uncivilized, immoral people.

A big theme in both Smith and Rowlandson’s narratives is that of faith. Throughout both ordeals, they remain very faithful to God in hopes of making it through their captivity alive. Their faith foreshadows the future of the colonies, which is to go through the Great Awakening in the 1740’s. This was a time of increased religious fervor, a time to convince the whole population to convert. Jonathan Edwards, a famous preacher of the Great Awakening, offers very vivid images of hell in his most famous sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. The sermon is meant to be so scary that anyone not fully committed to Christianity would rethink and recommit with enthusiasm.

Pre-national documents are integral to the understanding of America and its foundations. John Smith and Mary Rowlandson offer a deeper sentiment than just their captivity; they depict the growing fear of the unknown and dehumanization of Native Americans. Besides that, they foreshadow a later period of increased religious commitment and intensity that some historians even credit as the cause of the American Revolution.