Historical political maps

September 2, 2010 9:51 AM

Thomas Lessman presents a selection of political maps of Europe, Asia and Africa throughout ancient and mediaeval history. Watch the changes on the map through the fall of Rome, peruse the patchwork of kingdoms in Southeast Asia at the heyday of the Srivijaya Empire, or check out just how much land Attila ruled at the height of his power. Some of his references have some good stuff as well, including more detailed maps of Europe for the last two millennia, as well as the staggeringly comprehensive Friesian history website previously linked on the blue.
posted by Dim Siawns (14 comments total)

I can't tell you how much I wish history books included more maps like this, showing how borders changed regularly in the course of the time period being discussed. Great post.
posted by Dasein at 9:56 AM on September 2, 2010

Very cool, thanks.

Hang in there, Arctic Marine Mammal Hunters!
posted by Gator at 9:58 AM on September 2, 2010 [1 favorite]

awesome and bookmarked, thanks!!
posted by supermedusa at 10:09 AM on September 2, 2010

Now I want a new pony: the ability to Super Favorite.
posted by bearwife at 10:12 AM on September 2, 2010

This is a fabulous reasource, THANKS!
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 10:13 AM on September 2, 2010

Great maps -- thanks for telling us about this awesome web site!

If you enjoy this sort of thing and want something for your coffee table, you will love the classic The New Penguin Atlas of Medieval History. I seldom manage to close that book within one hour of opening it.
posted by Triplanetary at 10:51 AM on September 2, 2010

Its about time.
posted by General Tonic at 10:53 AM on September 2, 2010

Hrm. While I very much like the maps of Europe, I'm not so sure the larger eastern hemisphere maps are totally accurate: Lessman has Maori colonising New Zealand in 475AD, whereas oral histories and archeological evidence has Polynesians making landfall there no earlier than the 13th century.

To this selection I would also add the interactive, animated maps of Spielvogel, along with the excellent narrated The Map As History and Maps of War.
posted by Bora Horza Gobuchul at 11:06 AM on September 2, 2010 [4 favorites]

The maps detailing times past were always my favorite part of my World History textbook in 9th grade. The only thing I would like more than the maps provided here is if these maps were animated.

(someone point me in that direction?)
posted by not_on_display at 11:11 AM on September 2, 2010

. . . Thanks, Bora Horza Gobuchul!
posted by not_on_display at 11:12 AM on September 2, 2010

This is most excellent.
posted by Doohickie at 1:21 PM on September 2, 2010

The only thing I would like more than the maps provided here is if these maps were animated.

Google animated maps. There are plenty of them out there.
posted by IndigoJones at 5:08 PM on September 2, 2010

Fabulous find. Thanks for posting it.
posted by immlass at 9:17 PM on September 2, 2010

Wow, there was a Kingdom of Leon.
posted by migurski at 11:03 PM on September 2, 2010