Maps of the Classics

[YankeyMCC]

Just stumbled upon this and thought it would be interesting to share here.

I always liked to map out the stories I read (one reason I really enjoy LoTR)

http://mapsoftheclassics.blogspot.com/

[mvccd1000]

1. Interesting site!

I'm more into current novels than classics these days, but I've picked up the habit of following along on google earth as I read - it's a lot of fun to see the actual streets or towns where the story is taking place.

[ceile]

2. Oh that's cool! n/t

[FailureToCommunicate]

3. thanks! passed on to literature students

[rwsanders]

4. If you like this...

You might enjoy any (OK most) of the books by Tim Severin. He has reconstructed ancient vessels and used them to recreate famous voyages (like Thor Heyerdahl). He has followed the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts, Odysseus in the Odyessey, the voyages of Sindbad, and the voyage of St. Brendan. Avoid the one called in search of the White Whale. Instead find the Tragedy of the Whale Ship Essex for a great telling of the event that inspired Moby Dick.

[YankeyMCC]

5. Definitely...thanks

[cachukis]

6. Dug.

[kimbutgar]

7. Thanks I have read some of the books and have the movies on DVD

[petronius]

8. Reminds me of a meteorology study I ran across:

Meteorological Assessment of Homer's Odyssey
Randall S. Cerveny
Department of Geography, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Abstract

A chronology of the meteorological events described by Homer in the Odyssey following the Achæans’ conquest of Troy (ca. 1200 B.C.) is developed. Application of polar front theory to the voyages of six separate fleets as they sailed from Troy provides a unique test of the factual nature of a portion of the epic. Nothing beyond the limits of accepted meteorological theory occurred during the first 18 days following the departure from Troy. The Odyssey consistently shows a credible set of weather observations. Evidence suggests that the tragedies experienced by the Achæans in the Odyssey may have been caused by a cyclonic storm crossing the area in the early summer. If the Achæans’ initial travels after the conquest of Troy are factual, the chronology developed in this study extends our knowledge of daily weather events to an earlier time than has previously been available and creates a new component in the global history of climate and weather. A description in the Odyssey of a possible microburst event is also presented.

http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/1520-0477%281993%29074%3C1025%3AMAOH%3E2.0.CO%3B2

One of the topics I cover in weather and climate classes is the assessment of past climate using proxy data. It's fascinating how much insight can be gleaned from literature, art, journals, crop records, and so on.

Love the maps; that's an extremely clever idea!