Eine neue Lesbarkeit. Die Ebstorfer Weltkarte durch den Blickwinkel der Schlange

Research paper from 2021 in the field of History Europe - Other Countries - Middle Ages, Early Modern Period, Grade: 1.0, University of Bielefeld (Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology, Department of History), Course: Master's Module, Language: German, Abstract: The academic examination of medieval European cartographic sources opens up a variety of scientific research methods and perspectives for medieval studies – based on the systematics of pictura and scriptura. All with the intention of gaining an understanding of the contemporary worldview. This paper focuses on the Ebstorf World Map as the subject of study. The map itself is not only the most famous and largest medieval world map due to its dimensions, but also frequently the subject of scientific publications because of its high information density. Recently published editions testify to the fascination that seems to surround these maps. The reasons for this may be multifaceted. Undoubtedly, they represent a time when the world, in the sense of Max Weber, had not yet been completely disenchanted. The obscurities or bestiaries depicted on the maps often lie at the center of these publications. This paper will build on that and address the question of what significance can be attributed to the serpent on the Ebstorf World Map. Animals, in general, played a significant role in theology at that time regarding the question of the Christian interpretation of nature.