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Mentioned in 2 episodes
Four Points of the Compass
The Unexpected History of Direction
Book • 2022
This book takes the reader on a journey of directional discovery, exploring how different societies have understood and defined the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west) in various ways based on their locations in time and space.
Jerry Brotton reveals why Hebrew culture privileges east, why Renaissance Europeans began drawing north at the top of their maps, why early Islam revered the south, and why the Aztecs used five color-coded cardinal directions.
The book also examines how these directions have taken on cultural and geopolitical significance, and how modern technology has altered our relationship with these cardinal points.
Jerry Brotton reveals why Hebrew culture privileges east, why Renaissance Europeans began drawing north at the top of their maps, why early Islam revered the south, and why the Aztecs used five color-coded cardinal directions.
The book also examines how these directions have taken on cultural and geopolitical significance, and how modern technology has altered our relationship with these cardinal points.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 2 episodes
Mentioned by 
Spencer Mizen as the author of a book exploring the history of the four points of the compass.
Spencer Mizen as the author of a book exploring the history of the four points of the compass.
47 snips
How the compass became a political weapon
