This mid-17th century map, titled Carte des Voyages de Saint Paul, was created by P. Du Val, a renowned French cartographer who held the title of Geographer to the King. The map charts the travels of Saint Paul the Apostle, as described in the New Testament, across the Mediterranean region.
The map encompasses a broad area of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, illustrating the regions visited by Saint Paul during his missionary journeys. It spans from the western parts of Europe, including Italy and Greece, to the eastern territories of Asia Minor, extending to parts of Mesopotamia and Syria.
Key locations in Saint Paul's travels, such as Rome, Corinth, Athens, Ephesus, and Jerusalem, are clearly marked. The map also includes the Black Sea, referred to as Pont Euxin. Various regions, such as Asie Mineure (Asia Minor), Galatie (Galatia), Lycaonie (Lycaonia), and Phrygie (Phrygia), are noted for their historical and biblical significance. The map delineates various ancient territories and provinces, highlighting the political landscape during the time of Saint Paul. Regions such as Syrie (Syria), Mesopotamie (Mesopotamia), Egypte (Egypt), and Arabie (Arabia) are prominently labeled.
Pierre Du Val (1619-1683) was an influential figure in the field of cartography, known for his detailed and accurate maps. His works often combined geographic precision with historical and cultural insights, making them valuable resources for both contemporary audiences and modern historians. This map, focusing on the travels of Saint Paul, would have served as both a religious and educational tool, providing insights into the spread of Christianity and the historical geography of the Mediterranean world.
Pierre Duval (1618-1683) was a French geographer, cartographer, and publisher who worked in Abbeville and Paris during the seventeenth century. He was born in the former city, in northeast France, before moving to Paris. Duval was the nephew of the famous cartographer Nicolas Sanson, from whom he learned the mapmaker's art and skills. Both men worked at the royal court, having followed the royal request for artists to relocate to Paris. In addition to numerous maps and atlases, Du Val's opus also includes geography texts. He held the title of geographe ordinaire du roi from 1650 and died in 1683, when his wife and daughters took over his business.