Map of the Dardanelles
Date
12 February 1676
Creator
Francis Vernon (1632 - 1677, British) , Traveller, Traveller
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p54v
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 294mm
width (page): 190mm
width (page): 190mm
Subject
Description
Map of the Dardanelles, known in classical antiquity as the Hellespont, the narrow straight through Turkey that separates Europe and Asia. Included on Vernon's map are castles on both the European and Asian sides, as well as the city of Troy, which is located near the mouth of the Dardanelles on the western edge of the strait. He also labels the island of Imbros (modern day Gökçeada) and the town of Abydos, the location where, according to Herodotus, two bridges were built across the width of the strait by Xerxes I.
This map is in the journal by Francis Vernon of his travels in the Eastern Mediterranean, kept between 1675 and 1676.
This map is in the journal by Francis Vernon of his travels in the Eastern Mediterranean, kept between 1675 and 1676.
Object history
'Mr. Vernon's journal of his travels is extant among the papers of the Royal Society, being found among those of Dr. Hooke, as appears from a letter of Dr. Richard Mead to the Revd. Mr. Edmund Cheshull. This journal, which contains only short and imperfect notes, but a great number of inscriptions, begins at Spalatro, July 8, 1675, and ends at Ispahan, September 14, 1676. The advantage, which Mr. Vernon's travels might have been of to the public, was prevented by his unfortunate death near Ispahan in Persia in a contest with some Arabs about an English pen-knife, which he refusing to give them, they fell upon him and cut him to pieces. His body being conveyed to that city was interred there' (Birch 3:357-58).
Associated place