ETHIOPIA 1683
Habessinia Seu Abassia Presbyteri Johannis Regio perperam dicta by Hiob Ludolfi

Author: Ludolfi, Hiob 
Title: Habessinia Seu Abassia Presbyteri Johannis Regio perperam dicta 
Publisher: Hiob Ludolfi 
Date: 1683 
Place: Frankfurt 
Dimensions: 42.5cm x 53.5cm 

Single sheet, verso blank and hand numbered ‘29’ – offsetting from hand numbered 30 can also be seen. Uncoloured 1st state of Ludolfi’s important map of Ethiopia, which delineates the territory between 8 and 16 degrees latitude, previously thought to extend far further into the North and South. According to Wolbert (2024)  the map reflects the particular cultural outlook and prejudices of lowland Ethiopians  in, for instance, the designation of various highland peoples in pejorative terms. This, Wolbert notes, is largely due to the influence of Ethiopian scholar and theologian Abba Gorgoryos who is credited in the lower left cartouche. The cartouche as well as the coat of arms represented in the top right hand corner contain inscriptions in the native Ge’ez.

The map is highly decorative and detailed, showing rivers, mountains, regions and sub-regions, cities, monasteries and the source of the Nile as lake ‘Tzana’’ (Tana). Depictions of elephant, rhinoceros, apes and monkeys, ostrich, lion, leopard, camels.
A later, more common state of this map was published by the famous Pieter Schenk and Gerard Valk.

Very good, entirely unsophisticated - additional folds off-center, centerfold not reinforced showing some thinning and small chips in places.


- Wolbert G.C. Smidt (June 30, 2024). The Map of Ethiopia by Hiob Ludolf and Abba Gorgoryos (1683) as a Source for Cultural Concepts and Indigenous Knowledge. Mapping Africa and Asia. Retrieved January 28, 2026 from https://doi.org/10.58079/11wq7