Illustrator: Michael Wolgemut
Hartmann Schedel, Liber Chronicarum (Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 1493). 093 S315L, Tulane University Libraries Rare Books (Protective Storage Oversize), New Orleans, LA. Web (Wikimedia Commons).
The Liber Chronicarum was written in 1493 by German historian Hartmann Schedel and illustrated by the German publisher Anton Koberger. The book is an encyclopedia of historical events, and this page describes various monsters found throughout the Eastern world, which mirrors the sights seen by Alexander the Great in fictional letters.
Among the various descriptions are the Blemmy, which have their head on their chests; the one-footed Sciapods; the dog-headed and cannibalistic Cynocephaly; and the Crane People, along with many other creatures. These monsters were likely created through misunderstanding the animals and people of these Eastern lands. For example, the Blemmy likely were just people wearing large coats. The depiction of Satan stands out among the other creatures as it is a characterization clearly based on religious elements as opposed to the other monsters.
Also found within the Liber Chronicarum is a map of the world. The world is portrayed as a circle containing three continents. The text states that after the Great Flood, Noah’s sons each went to a different continent, which are portrayed by the figures on the edge of the map. Sem went to Asia, Japhet went to Europa, and Cham went to Africa. Also portrayed are heads which represent the twelve winds theorized to exist by the Alexandrian scientist Ptolemy (100-170 AD).
Zach Broadhurst