An Exotic Geographical Excursus: Chapters 273-378 of the Third Book of the Cronica Universalis by Galvaneus Flamma

Abstract

Chapters 273–378 of the Cronica universalis by the Milanese Dominican Galvaneus Flamma consist of a long geographical excursus – a sign of the author’s interest in the subject. This excursus describes places and cities (real or – for us – imaginary) of Asia, India, Africa, Northern Europe, and even Markland. The study of the sources used in the composition of the excursus allows us to observe first of all that Friar Galvaneus used ancient and medieval encyclopedic sources on the one hand, and written accounts of travelers in the East on the other. It is also possible that the author of the Cronica has resorted to oral testimonies of travelers and sailors. What emerges from this study is a modern image of geography: not only because of the sources cited (the ancient authors are often mediated by medieval works) but also for the places mentioned.