Images

The Swedish galleon Vasa, built in the first quarter of the 17th century, sunk in 1628 and rescued in 1961. (Vasa Museum, Stockholm)

Inscribed circular stone base of a four-horse chariot dedicated by Cynisca of Sparta, winner of chariot races, made by Apelles of Megara, from Olympia, after 390-380 BCE. Archaeological Museum, Olympia.

The 1502 Cantino World Map, acquired by Alberto Cantino from a Portuguese original in Lisbon. The map shows the world as then known to Europeans and indicates the line decided by the 1494 treaty of Tordesillas which demarcated two spheres...

A view of the medieval town of Tordesillas in northwest Spain. The town gave its name to the famous 1494 treaty of Tordesillas, signed between Spain and Portugal, which divided the world into two spheres of influence.

Reenactors of Legio I Adiutrix, 2017.

A statue bust of Prince Henry the Navigator (aka Infante Dom Henrique, 1394-1460). Faro, Portugal. (image cropped)

The tomb of Prince Henry the Navigator (aka Infante Dom Henrique, 1394-1460) in Batalha monastery, central Portugal.

An illustration of a Portuguese carrack ship from a 16th-century map. (Digital Library, University of Minnesota)

Trade routes of the ancient Romans to Africa and India as described in the 1st-century CE Periplus of the Erythreaen Sea.

The Standard of Ur is a (reconstructed) hollow box and its precise purpose is unknown. The scenes are made using a mosaic of lapis lazuli, red limestone, and shell. This reverse side shows men bringing animals as tribute or war booty while...