The map above shows how the 5th Century B.C. "father of history" Herodotus viewed the world. He describes it in the 4th book of his histories. However odd his map may look, it was an improvement. The following passage explains his advances on earlier maps showing 3 continents, Europe, Asia, and Libya:
"I wonder then at those who have parted off and divided the world into Libya, Asia, and Europe, since the difference between these is not small; for in length Europe extends along by both, while in breadth it is clear to me that it is beyond comparison larger; for Libya furnishes proofs about itself that it is surrounded by sea, except so much of it as borders upon Asia...."
On the following pages, you will find maps of general areas of the ancient world, like continents, with links to maps of areas within the continent. Remember, these geographic entities may be based on what people in the ancient world thought, not what modern geographers and politicians tell us is there.
