The Pre-Columbian Discovery of America by the Northmen: Illustrated by Translations from Icelandic SagasDeCosta, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin)
History
The Pre-Columbian Discovery of America by the Northmen: Illustrated by Translations from Icelandic Sagas
DeCosta, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin)
America -- Discovery and exploration -- Norse
The first of these documents is from a work which professes to give a
description of the earth in the middle age. From this it appears that
the Icelanders had a correct idea of the location of Vinland in New
England, though they did not comprehend the fact that they had
discovered a new Continent. The document may be found in _Antiquitates
Americanæ_, p. 283. In the appendix of that work may be seen a _fac
simile_ of the original manuscript. The second document is from
(_Antiquitates Americanæ_, p. 292). It was found originally in the
miscellaneous collection called the _Gripla_.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE WHOLE EARTH.
The earth is said to be divided into three parts. One of these is called
Asia, and extends from northeast to southwest, and occupies the middle
of the earth. In the eastern part are three separate regions, called
Indialand. In the farthest India, the Apostle Bartholomew preached the
faith; and where he likewise gave up his life (for the name of Christ).
In the nearest India, the Apostle Thomas preached, and there also he
suffered death for the cause of God. In that part of the earth called
Asia, is the city of Nineveh, greatest of all cities. It is three days'
journey in length and one day's journey in breadth. There is also the
city of Babylon, ancient and very large. There King Nebuchadnezzar
formerly reigned, but now that city is so thoroughly destroyed that it
is not inhabited by men, on account of serpents and all manner of
noxious creatures. In Asia is Jerusalem, and also Antioch; in this city
Peter the Apostle founded an Episcopal seat, and where he, the first of
all men, sang Mass. Asia Minor is a region of Great Asia. There the
Apostle John preached, and there also, in the city Ephesus, is his tomb.
They say that four rivers flow out of Paradise. One is called Pison or
Ganges; this empties into the sea surrounding the world. Pison rises
under a mountain called Orcobares. The second river flowing from
Paradise, is called Tigris, and the third, Euphrates. Both empty into
the Mediterranean (sea), near Antioch. The Nile, also called Geon, is
the fourth river that runs from Paradise. It separates Asia from Africa,
and flows through the whole of Egypt. In Egypt is New Babylon (Cairo),
and the city called Alexandria. The second part of the earth is called
Africa, which extends from the southwest to the northwest. There are
Serkland, and three regions called Blaland (land of blackmen or
negroes). The Mediterranean sea divides Europe from Africa. Europe is
the third part of the earth, extended from west and northwest to the
northeast. In the east of Europe is the kingdom of Russia. There are
Holmgard, Palteskia and Smalenskia. South of Russia lies the kingdom of
Greece. Of this kingdom, the chief city is Constantinople, which our
people call Miklagard. In Miklagard is a church, which the people call
St. Sophia, but the Northmen call it, Ægisif. This church exceeds all
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