Adam Olearius und seine Rolle als Kartograph im 17. Jahrhundert

Study paper from 2020 in the field of History - Miscellaneous, grade: 1.7, FernUniversität Hagen (Historical Institute), course: Module G4: Cultural Spaces and Borders, language: German.

Abstract: Adam Olearius, a scholar born in Aschersleben in the 17th century, is primarily known for his 1646 publication describing the journey of a Schleswig-Holstein diplomatic mission to Russia and Persia on behalf of Duke Friedrich III of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf. The economic purpose of the trip failed, but the description of the journey through distant lands became a success. It is considered the first scientific travel account in the German language. Olearius aims to describe only what he has personally seen or, where that is not possible, to rigorously verify his sources according to scientific standards. In addition to describing the journey, he also measures the travel route and maps it. The map of Persia is of particular significance here. It breaks with the centuries-old European tradition of depicting the Caspian Sea in the Ptolemaic style and presents its shape and, consequently, the northern border of Persia almost accurately. Olearius anticipates the principles of the Enlightenment, allowing himself, and indeed demanding of himself, to think independently and to contrast the results of this thinking with tradition wherever it diverges. This paper provides a detailed description of the Persia map and its elements within the context of the overall framework, before addressing further related questions.