Sophianos, Nicolaos (Νικόλαος Σοφιανός)
Nicolaos Sophianos (Νικόλαος Σοφιανός; c. 1500 - 1551) was a Greek Renaissance cartographer and humanist. He is best known for his 8-sheet Totes Graeciae Descriptio, the most important modern map of Greece of the 16th century. He was born to a noble family in Corfu, but sent to Rome to study the Greek Gymnasium. He was a talented student and attracted the favor of Cardinal Nicholas of Rodolfo, whose house was rightly called the abode of wisdom, because the many learned men who patronized it. In 1543, Sofianos traveled to Venice, where he met the Spaniard Jacobus Mendoza, who commissioned him to journey to Mount Athos in search of Greek manuscripts. During this expedition, Sofianos uncovered several important texts, including manuscripts of Isocrates (436 BCE - 338 BCE) that were more complete than any editions printed up to that time. While in Venice he established a Greek printing house, from which only the 1545 Horologion survives. His map, published in 1540, is the basis for Salamanca's Graeciae Chorographia, which would prove the main vector by which Sophianos' work was disseminated.
AKA: Νικόλαος Σοφιανός
We're Still Hunting
We don't yet have any maps by this cartographer in stock — but that's more a matter of timing than availability. New acquisitions arrive regularly, and pieces from this maker do surface. Check back soon, or reach out if you're specifically looking for one — we're always happy to keep an eye out.
Have a map by this cartographer you're looking to sell? We'd love to hear from you.