Well according to some random guy I found on the internet:
"The notion that north should always be up and east at the right was established by the Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy (90-168 AD). "Perhaps this was because the better-known places in his world were in the northern hemisphere, and on a flat map these were most convenient for study if they were in the upper right-hand corner," historian Daniel Boorstin opines. Mapmakers haven't always followed Ptolemy; during the Middle Ages, Boorstin notes, maps often had east on top--whence the expression "to orient." But north prevailed over the long haul. By the time Southern Hemispheroids had become numerically significant enough to bitch, the north-side-up convention was too well established to change."
Yea Ptolemy!
Lets say East is UP....Would this thread still exist.....Hmmmmm
HOTROD
"Lets go for a spin you and I"
Yeah, I definitely wasn't posting this thread to sound smart. If you knew me at all, you'd realize that. I was genuinely curious as to why maps were designed that way and, since a lot of my questions like this in the past have been answered without my asking at all, I figured I'd ask all of you here on EoFF. The only reason I hesitated at all and didn't post it hours before was because I knew there would be at least a few people who'd give me replies like that.
Anyway, thanks for those of you who helped. Timekeeper, that was very interesting and helped a lot.
EDIT: Srsly, it's just a smurfing question.
EDITRA: If East was up, this thread would instead question why it was chosen to be up.
So, Timekeeper, East was initially up? That's interesting! A search for Ptolemy didn't quite find what I was looking for. Do you have any idea how I can find other information on the topic?
Last edited by Mogi; 10-21-2009 at 08:56 PM.
I also find the upside down map to be very interesting.
X3
Well, I'd really appreciate actual answers to the question, rather than snide remarks about how my question is pointless or whatever, but I guess you're right. Since I did get actual answers and not everything was absolute bullOriginally Posted by The Space Pope
, I guess we're good. Thanks for helping me see that, Space Pope.
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You're welcome, I'm here to serve humanity.
Well not really but that's my cover story.
derp
I think the coffee was full of mean beans today![]()
I think someone once told my that the compasses in ancient china use to point south but that might just be a filthy lie.
Kefka's coming, look intimidating!
Have a nice day!!