Chronocarta
@chronocarta.bsky.social
Visual history and cartography: maps of empires, migrations, and the world’s changing borders.
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https://chronocarta.substack.com
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Chronocarta
@chronocarta.bsky.social
· Aug 3
How did a people from Scandinavia end up sacking Rome and ruling Spain?
The Goths undertook one of history's most epic migrations, and their journey forever changed the face of Europe.
I mapped out their incredible story.
The Goths undertook one of history's most epic migrations, and their journey forever changed the face of Europe.
I mapped out their incredible story.
When the Umayyad Caliphate took most of Iberia, tiny holdouts clung to the northern mountains.
Two centuries of relentless struggle finally pushed Muslim rule out of Europe.
Two centuries of relentless struggle finally pushed Muslim rule out of Europe.
December 9, 2025 at 1:12 PM
When the Umayyad Caliphate took most of Iberia, tiny holdouts clung to the northern mountains.
Two centuries of relentless struggle finally pushed Muslim rule out of Europe.
Two centuries of relentless struggle finally pushed Muslim rule out of Europe.
A 7-year rapid conquest began 700+ years of muslim rule over Iberia.
The muslim Umayyad Caliphate was expanding in all directions. Eventually crossing the Strait of Gibraltar into Europe.
Only small Christian holdouts formed in the north.
The muslim Umayyad Caliphate was expanding in all directions. Eventually crossing the Strait of Gibraltar into Europe.
Only small Christian holdouts formed in the north.
December 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
A 7-year rapid conquest began 700+ years of muslim rule over Iberia.
The muslim Umayyad Caliphate was expanding in all directions. Eventually crossing the Strait of Gibraltar into Europe.
Only small Christian holdouts formed in the north.
The muslim Umayyad Caliphate was expanding in all directions. Eventually crossing the Strait of Gibraltar into Europe.
Only small Christian holdouts formed in the north.
Mexican states divided by unofficial regions
October 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Mexican states divided by unofficial regions
The Empire of Japan 1895-1945
Five decades of calculated expansion, resource wars and eventual collapse.
Five decades of calculated expansion, resource wars and eventual collapse.
October 21, 2025 at 10:53 AM
The Empire of Japan 1895-1945
Five decades of calculated expansion, resource wars and eventual collapse.
Five decades of calculated expansion, resource wars and eventual collapse.
Who benefits from the Arctic sea routes?
The real winners are Europe and Asia.
Shanghai to Rotterdam:
Via Suez: ~21k km / 30-35 days
Via Arctic: ~15k km / 18-22 days
The real winners are Europe and Asia.
Shanghai to Rotterdam:
Via Suez: ~21k km / 30-35 days
Via Arctic: ~15k km / 18-22 days
September 14, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Who benefits from the Arctic sea routes?
The real winners are Europe and Asia.
Shanghai to Rotterdam:
Via Suez: ~21k km / 30-35 days
Via Arctic: ~15k km / 18-22 days
The real winners are Europe and Asia.
Shanghai to Rotterdam:
Via Suez: ~21k km / 30-35 days
Via Arctic: ~15k km / 18-22 days
The early colonies of Australia.
1851 was the year when Victoria separated from New South Wales.
Later, it would be split even further into Queensland, Northern Territories and a part given to South Australia.
1851 was the year when Victoria separated from New South Wales.
Later, it would be split even further into Queensland, Northern Territories and a part given to South Australia.
September 13, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The early colonies of Australia.
1851 was the year when Victoria separated from New South Wales.
Later, it would be split even further into Queensland, Northern Territories and a part given to South Australia.
1851 was the year when Victoria separated from New South Wales.
Later, it would be split even further into Queensland, Northern Territories and a part given to South Australia.
The trade between Asia and Europe has been the beating heart of the global economy for multiple millennia.
On the web of roads silk, porcelain and paper moved west, while glass, silver and horses moved east.
Many of the old trading points are vital urban centres today.
On the web of roads silk, porcelain and paper moved west, while glass, silver and horses moved east.
Many of the old trading points are vital urban centres today.
September 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The trade between Asia and Europe has been the beating heart of the global economy for multiple millennia.
On the web of roads silk, porcelain and paper moved west, while glass, silver and horses moved east.
Many of the old trading points are vital urban centres today.
On the web of roads silk, porcelain and paper moved west, while glass, silver and horses moved east.
Many of the old trading points are vital urban centres today.
The world's oldest republic, San Marino was founded on 3 September 301 CE.
Over a hundred years before the Goths even reached Italy.
It was governing itself independent from the Roman Empire and nobody really bothered to subdue it.
Formally recognized by the Papacy in 1631.
Over a hundred years before the Goths even reached Italy.
It was governing itself independent from the Roman Empire and nobody really bothered to subdue it.
Formally recognized by the Papacy in 1631.
September 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The world's oldest republic, San Marino was founded on 3 September 301 CE.
Over a hundred years before the Goths even reached Italy.
It was governing itself independent from the Roman Empire and nobody really bothered to subdue it.
Formally recognized by the Papacy in 1631.
Over a hundred years before the Goths even reached Italy.
It was governing itself independent from the Roman Empire and nobody really bothered to subdue it.
Formally recognized by the Papacy in 1631.
The Caribbean island nations are the reason why I can't remember all the countries.
September 1, 2025 at 9:44 AM
The Caribbean island nations are the reason why I can't remember all the countries.
US president James K. Polk almost doubled the size of the US. In one term.
Finalized the annexation of Texas in 1845
Signed the Oregon Treaty 1846
Pushed for the Mexican-American war, resulting the Mexican cession in 1848
Finalized the annexation of Texas in 1845
Signed the Oregon Treaty 1846
Pushed for the Mexican-American war, resulting the Mexican cession in 1848
August 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
US president James K. Polk almost doubled the size of the US. In one term.
Finalized the annexation of Texas in 1845
Signed the Oregon Treaty 1846
Pushed for the Mexican-American war, resulting the Mexican cession in 1848
Finalized the annexation of Texas in 1845
Signed the Oregon Treaty 1846
Pushed for the Mexican-American war, resulting the Mexican cession in 1848
I consider my maps to be artistic and simplified representations. A single snapshot of a place and time.
It can never have the nuance and complexities of the real world, history and different opinions.
This becomes most apparent, whenever I make maps about modern borders.
It can never have the nuance and complexities of the real world, history and different opinions.
This becomes most apparent, whenever I make maps about modern borders.
August 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
I consider my maps to be artistic and simplified representations. A single snapshot of a place and time.
It can never have the nuance and complexities of the real world, history and different opinions.
This becomes most apparent, whenever I make maps about modern borders.
It can never have the nuance and complexities of the real world, history and different opinions.
This becomes most apparent, whenever I make maps about modern borders.
I'm playing around with topography.
I want everything on my maps to be vectors. Since this data doesn't exist, I have to make my own.
Still a work in progress.
I want everything on my maps to be vectors. Since this data doesn't exist, I have to make my own.
Still a work in progress.
August 29, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I'm playing around with topography.
I want everything on my maps to be vectors. Since this data doesn't exist, I have to make my own.
Still a work in progress.
I want everything on my maps to be vectors. Since this data doesn't exist, I have to make my own.
Still a work in progress.
Say what you will about the Mercator projection, it's still the best looking one.
August 27, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Say what you will about the Mercator projection, it's still the best looking one.
1615 years ago, Rome fell to the Visigoths under Alaric I.
On 24 August 410.
The first sack of Rome in nearly 800 years.
A shocking blow to the eternal city marked a symbolic start for the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
On 24 August 410.
The first sack of Rome in nearly 800 years.
A shocking blow to the eternal city marked a symbolic start for the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
August 23, 2025 at 2:25 PM
1615 years ago, Rome fell to the Visigoths under Alaric I.
On 24 August 410.
The first sack of Rome in nearly 800 years.
A shocking blow to the eternal city marked a symbolic start for the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
On 24 August 410.
The first sack of Rome in nearly 800 years.
A shocking blow to the eternal city marked a symbolic start for the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
While Europeans fought for generations for each meter of European soil,
the Americans bought and conquered half a continent within years.
the Americans bought and conquered half a continent within years.
August 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
While Europeans fought for generations for each meter of European soil,
the Americans bought and conquered half a continent within years.
the Americans bought and conquered half a continent within years.
Old trade routes had shorter routes than modern ones do.
Sailors didn't spend years sailing from one side of the world to another.
They made trips between trade centers where other sailors took over the next leg.
Ships were specialized and sailors knew local waters.
Sailors didn't spend years sailing from one side of the world to another.
They made trips between trade centers where other sailors took over the next leg.
Ships were specialized and sailors knew local waters.
August 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Old trade routes had shorter routes than modern ones do.
Sailors didn't spend years sailing from one side of the world to another.
They made trips between trade centers where other sailors took over the next leg.
Ships were specialized and sailors knew local waters.
Sailors didn't spend years sailing from one side of the world to another.
They made trips between trade centers where other sailors took over the next leg.
Ships were specialized and sailors knew local waters.
The spice trade was reliant of camels.
On the Egyptian route, the camels took the goods from the sea port to barges on the Nile.
It took ~2 months.
The Persian route took thousands of camels through the harshest deserts.
It took ~2-4 months.
On the Egyptian route, the camels took the goods from the sea port to barges on the Nile.
It took ~2 months.
The Persian route took thousands of camels through the harshest deserts.
It took ~2-4 months.
August 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The spice trade was reliant of camels.
On the Egyptian route, the camels took the goods from the sea port to barges on the Nile.
It took ~2 months.
The Persian route took thousands of camels through the harshest deserts.
It took ~2-4 months.
On the Egyptian route, the camels took the goods from the sea port to barges on the Nile.
It took ~2 months.
The Persian route took thousands of camels through the harshest deserts.
It took ~2-4 months.
The Germanics and the Gaul was a nuisance to Rome.
The Goths, Vandals and Suevii migrated deep into Roman territory.
The Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain.
The ones who stayed home and survived the Huns, created their own kingdoms.
The Goths, Vandals and Suevii migrated deep into Roman territory.
The Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain.
The ones who stayed home and survived the Huns, created their own kingdoms.
August 20, 2025 at 8:18 AM
The Germanics and the Gaul was a nuisance to Rome.
The Goths, Vandals and Suevii migrated deep into Roman territory.
The Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain.
The ones who stayed home and survived the Huns, created their own kingdoms.
The Goths, Vandals and Suevii migrated deep into Roman territory.
The Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain.
The ones who stayed home and survived the Huns, created their own kingdoms.
In the 15th century, a single pound of pepper cost a skilled worker a week's wages. Why?
Because it traveled 10,000 miles through one of history's most lucrative monopolies.
I created a map to show you how it worked.🧵👇
Because it traveled 10,000 miles through one of history's most lucrative monopolies.
I created a map to show you how it worked.🧵👇
August 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
In the 15th century, a single pound of pepper cost a skilled worker a week's wages. Why?
Because it traveled 10,000 miles through one of history's most lucrative monopolies.
I created a map to show you how it worked.🧵👇
Because it traveled 10,000 miles through one of history's most lucrative monopolies.
I created a map to show you how it worked.🧵👇
The British navy and two treaties contained the Indian Ocean slave trade.
The Moresby Treaty banned the trade of slaves east of the line. Meaning India.
The Hamerton Treaty contained the slavery to plantations.
The sea was patrolled and slave ships were intercepted.
The Moresby Treaty banned the trade of slaves east of the line. Meaning India.
The Hamerton Treaty contained the slavery to plantations.
The sea was patrolled and slave ships were intercepted.
August 18, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The British navy and two treaties contained the Indian Ocean slave trade.
The Moresby Treaty banned the trade of slaves east of the line. Meaning India.
The Hamerton Treaty contained the slavery to plantations.
The sea was patrolled and slave ships were intercepted.
The Moresby Treaty banned the trade of slaves east of the line. Meaning India.
The Hamerton Treaty contained the slavery to plantations.
The sea was patrolled and slave ships were intercepted.
I'm working on a Venice and Genoa trade empire map.
There was a 18,000% markup on cloves and nutmeg between the producer and end customers in Europe.
The locals sold the luxury spices for 1 ducat.
When it reached central Europe, the price was up to 180 Ducats.
There was a 18,000% markup on cloves and nutmeg between the producer and end customers in Europe.
The locals sold the luxury spices for 1 ducat.
When it reached central Europe, the price was up to 180 Ducats.
August 18, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I'm working on a Venice and Genoa trade empire map.
There was a 18,000% markup on cloves and nutmeg between the producer and end customers in Europe.
The locals sold the luxury spices for 1 ducat.
When it reached central Europe, the price was up to 180 Ducats.
There was a 18,000% markup on cloves and nutmeg between the producer and end customers in Europe.
The locals sold the luxury spices for 1 ducat.
When it reached central Europe, the price was up to 180 Ducats.
Are you upset if your package is late from the other side of the world?
300 years ago, the Omani empire sailed south in the winter and back home in the sommer with spices, ivory and sugar.
Changing monsoon winds dictated the trade.
300 years ago, the Omani empire sailed south in the winter and back home in the sommer with spices, ivory and sugar.
Changing monsoon winds dictated the trade.
August 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Are you upset if your package is late from the other side of the world?
300 years ago, the Omani empire sailed south in the winter and back home in the sommer with spices, ivory and sugar.
Changing monsoon winds dictated the trade.
300 years ago, the Omani empire sailed south in the winter and back home in the sommer with spices, ivory and sugar.
Changing monsoon winds dictated the trade.
Before founding kingdoms in Spain and Italy, the Goths were fearsome raiders.
From their new home on the Black Sea, Gothic fleets launched daring raids deep into Roman territory during the 3rd Century CE, sacking cities in modern-day Turkey and Greece, including Trebizond and Ephesus. ⚔️
From their new home on the Black Sea, Gothic fleets launched daring raids deep into Roman territory during the 3rd Century CE, sacking cities in modern-day Turkey and Greece, including Trebizond and Ephesus. ⚔️
August 16, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Before founding kingdoms in Spain and Italy, the Goths were fearsome raiders.
From their new home on the Black Sea, Gothic fleets launched daring raids deep into Roman territory during the 3rd Century CE, sacking cities in modern-day Turkey and Greece, including Trebizond and Ephesus. ⚔️
From their new home on the Black Sea, Gothic fleets launched daring raids deep into Roman territory during the 3rd Century CE, sacking cities in modern-day Turkey and Greece, including Trebizond and Ephesus. ⚔️
In 455 CE, the Vandals sacked Rome.
But their true empire wasn’t in Italy, it was in North Africa.
Here’s how an obscure Germanic tribe conquered the breadbasket of the Roman world 👇
But their true empire wasn’t in Italy, it was in North Africa.
Here’s how an obscure Germanic tribe conquered the breadbasket of the Roman world 👇
August 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM
In 455 CE, the Vandals sacked Rome.
But their true empire wasn’t in Italy, it was in North Africa.
Here’s how an obscure Germanic tribe conquered the breadbasket of the Roman world 👇
But their true empire wasn’t in Italy, it was in North Africa.
Here’s how an obscure Germanic tribe conquered the breadbasket of the Roman world 👇
The British Isles have a messy, but interesting history.
Celts, Britons, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and fighting kings have created an administrative mess.
Boundaries of the UK, Great Britain, Ireland and the British Isles with regions.
Celts, Britons, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and fighting kings have created an administrative mess.
Boundaries of the UK, Great Britain, Ireland and the British Isles with regions.
August 13, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The British Isles have a messy, but interesting history.
Celts, Britons, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and fighting kings have created an administrative mess.
Boundaries of the UK, Great Britain, Ireland and the British Isles with regions.
Celts, Britons, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and fighting kings have created an administrative mess.
Boundaries of the UK, Great Britain, Ireland and the British Isles with regions.