Persian Gulf or Arab Gulf

February 11, 2007
Originally at http://www.azargoshnasp.net/PersianGulf/PersianGulfresponsetositeA.htm

As recognized by the United States Board on Geographic names, the name of the body of water that lies between Iran and the Arab states of the Gulf Cooperation Council is the Persian Gulf. For political reasons, Arabs often refer to it as the Arab or Arabian Gulf (The Persian Gulf at the Millennium: Essays in Politics, Economy, Security, and Religion edited by Gary G. Sick, Lawrence G. Potter, pg 8).

(Note .pdf files in this article are relatively large due to their high quality and it is recommended that they are downloaded complete before they are opened).

Recently a new site by the name: www.arabiangulfmaps.com (Site A) has popped up which claims that some 16th century maps have referred to the body of the water as Arabian Gulf. In this article we will show their claim is invalid based on many reasons and such a naming lacks historical legitimacy.

More than 400+ authors including all the geographers mentioned in Site A have maps that refer to the body of water Persian Gulf. The following taken from Persian Gulf (Atlas Of Old & Historical Maps (3000 B.C. - 2000 A.D.), (1 and 2) (Hardcover) by Mohammad Reza Sahab published by Center for Document and Diplomatic History; 1 st edition (2005) available at:

http://www.amazon.com/Persian-Gulf-Atlas-Historical-Maps/dp/9648403449

provides a complete listing. We will provide some scanned photos of the source which unlike site A lists the exact source of the map. Note from the era of the Greek classics the name Persian Gulf has been consistently used for the body of water known today as Persian Gulf. Also it is well known fact that the Arabian Gulf refers to the red sea in many classic western texts. A list which contains about 400 authors who have used the term Persian Gulf since the time of the ancient Greeks is given below., Please continue with the text after examining this list.

Chapter I:

Persian Gulf in Antiquity (From 3000 B.C. to 750 A.D.)

The Earliest Known Map (ca. 3000 B.C.).......................................................... 4

The Babylonian Tablet (Second to third Millennium B.C.).............................. ..5

Anaximander of Melitus (610-546 B.C.)............................................................ 6

Hecataeus of Melitus (509-472 B.C.)................................................................. 7

S. Bochartus (1500-500 B.C.)........................................................................... ..8

Herodotus (ca.484-425 B.C.) .. ........................................................................ 10

Dicaearchus (347-285 B.C.).............................................................................. 10

Eratosthenes of Alexandria (247-195 B.C.)..................................................... 11

Crates ofMallos (180-145 B.C.)................................................................... ......13

Hipparchus (160-125 B.C.)............................................................................... 13

Polybius(ca.l43B.C.) ........................................................................................ 14

Possidonius (Posidonii) of Apameia (135-50 B.C.).......................................... 15

Geminus (ca!77 B.C.)...................................................................................... ..16

Strabo [Strabon] (12 B.C-58 A.D/)................................................................... 16

Pomponius Mela (ca. 42 A.D.)........................................................................ ..18

Ptolemy, Claudius (87-150 A.D.).................................................................... ..20

Dionysius Periegetes (2nd Century A.D.).......................................................... 34

Tyre, Marinus of (after 150 A.D.)..................................................................... 35

Heracles, Marcianus of (ca. 330 A.D.).............................................................. 36

Honorius, Julius (Early 5th Century A.D.)......................................................... 37

Orosius (After 417 A.D.)................................................ '................................ 38

Cosmas Indicopleustes (6th Century A.D.)....................................................... 39

Isidore of Seville (560- 636 A.D.).................................................................... 40

Ravenna, (7th Century A.D.)............................................................................. 41

St. Beatus (730-798 A.D.)................................................................................ 44

Chapter II: '

Persian Gulf in Middle Ages Maps & Muslim Cartographers Works

(From 750 to 1500A.D.)

Al-Khwarezmi, Abu Ja'far Mohammad ibn Musa (780-847 A.D. /164-233 H.) 50

Al-Kindi (801-873 A.D./185-260 H.)............................................................. ...52

Ibn Khordazbeh (820-913 A.D./205-300 H.)................................................... 54

Al-Batani (850-929 A.D./235-317 H.)............................................................. 55

Al-Balkhi (850-934 A.D./235-322 H.)............................................................. 55

Al-Mas'oudi (897-964 A.D./284-353 H.)..................................... ................... 57

Jaihani (Before 922 A.D./310 H.)................................................................ .....59

Al-Istakhri (Before 930-957 A.D./318-346 H.) .............................................. 64

Ibn Howqal (Before 931-988 A.D./320-378 H.)............... ,............................ 74

Al-Maqdesi (946/7-1000 A.D./335-390 H.)..................................................... 77

Ibn Yunos (950-1009 A.D./339-400H.)........................................................... 79

Ikhvan as-Safa (Brothers of Purity, ca.950 A.D./340 H.)................................ 80

Al-Biruni (973-1048 A.D./362-440 H.) ........................................................... 81

Al-Khwarezmi, Abu Abdullah al-Katib (ca. 975-991 A.D./365-381 H.)......... 84

Ibn al-Zarqala (Zarqali) 10?9-1087 A.D./420-480 H.)..................................... 86

Al-Kashqari (Kashghari) 11th century A.D./5th century A.H.).......................... 87

Edrisi (Idrisi, 1100-1160 AJD./493-555 H.) ............. ...................................... 89

Tusi Hamadani (ca. 1160 A.D./555 H.)............................................................ 98

Gervase of Tilbury (ca. 1160-1211 A.D.)....................................................... 100

Ibn al-'Arabi (1165-1240 A.D./560-638H.) ................................................... 101

Al-Faresi, Abu Ali al-Faresi al-Nahvi (ca. 1173 A.D./569 H.) ....................... 102

YaqutHamawi(l 179-1229 A.D./574-626H.) ............................. .!.... :...... ..... 103

Paris, Matthew (ca.l 195-1259 A.D.).............................................................. 104

Tusi, Nasir ed-Din (Khwajeh Nasir Tusi) 1201-1274 A.D./598-673 H.)........ 106

Al-Qazvini (1203-1283 A.D./600-682 H.)...................................................... 111

Ibn Sa'id (1214-1286 A.D./610-683 H.)......................................................... 116

Rubruquis, Guillaume of Rubroek (1220-1293 A.D.).................................... 118

Abul-Fida (1273-1331 A.D./672-732H.)........................................................ 119

Mustawfi, Hamdullah (1281-1349 A.D./680-750 H.) ................................... 120

Richard of Haldingham (13th-14th century A.D.) ........................................... 130

Vesconte, Petrus (14th century A.D.) ............................................................. 132

Ibn Alwardi (1292-1348 A.D./691-749 H.) ................................................... 134

Higden, Randulf (1299-1363 A.D.) .............................................................. 139

Al-Harrani (ca. 1332 A.D./732H.) ................................................................. 140

Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406 A.D./732-808H.).................................................... 142

Ailly, Pierre d' (1350-1420 A.D.)................................................................... 143

Cresques, Abraham (ca. 1375 A.D.) .............................................................. 144

Toscanelli, Paolo del Pozzo (1397-1482 A.D.)............................................... 146

Borgia (ca. 1410 A.D.)................................................................................... 148

Noha, Pirrus de (ca. 1414 A.D.)..................................................................... 149

Buondelmonti, Cristoforo (after 1420 A.D.).................................................. 150

Bianco, Andrea (ca. 1436-1458 A.D.)............................................................ 151

Schedel, Hartmann (1440-1514 A.D.)............................................................ 152

Rosselli, Francisco (1445-1513 A.D.) ............................................................ 154

Vinci Leonardo da (1452-1519 A.D.)............................................................ 156

Behaim, Martin (1459 - 1507 A.D,)................................................................ 157

Mauro, Fra (ca. 1460 A.D.)............................................................................ 159

Cosa, Juan de la (1460-1510 A.D.)................................................................ 160

Waldseemuller, Martin (1470-1518 A.D.)...................................................... 162

Reisch, Gregorius (1470-1525 A.D................................................................ 166

Cabot, Sebastian (1474 - 1557 A.D.)............................................................. 168

Schoner, Johann (1477-1572 A.D.) ............................................................... 170

VI

Buckinck, Arnold[us] (ca. 1478-1508 A.D.)................ .................................. 172

Leo Africanus, Al-Hasan ibn Muhammad al-Vazzan (1483-1552 A.D. / 888-960 H.) 173

Ramusio, Gian Battista (1485-1557 A.D.).................................................. .....174

Martellus, Henricus (Germanus) 15th century A.D.)........................................ 175

Minister, Sebastian (1489-1552 A.D.)............................................................. 177

Fries, Laurent (1490-1532 A.D.)..................................................................... 180

Fine, Orontius Delphinas Finaeus (1494-1555 A.D.)...................................... 184

Homen (Homem), Lopo (1497-1572 A.D.) ................................................ 188

Stabius, Johannes (1497-1522 A.D.)............................................................... 190

Honter [Grass, Honterus], Jan Coronensis (1498-1549 A.D.) ........................ 192

Chapter III:

The Persian Gulf in Geographical Maps of the Renaissance Period

(From 1500 to 1800 A.D.)

Santa Cruz, Alonso de (1500-1572 A.D.)....................................................... 198

Stumpff [ius], Johannes (1500-1578 A.D.)..................................................... 198

Gastaldi, Giacomo [Jacopo] (ca. 1500-1565 A.D.)......................................... 199

Apianus, Petrus (1501-1552 A.D.).................................................................. 204

Jode, Gerard (1501-1591 A.D.)...................................................................... 206

King Hamy Map (ca. 1502 A.D.).................................................. ¦.............. 207

Maggiolo [Maiollo], Vesconte di (1504-1551 A.D.)....................................... 208

Ruscelli, Girolamo (1504-1566 A.D.)............................................................. 209

Contarini, Giovanni Mathew (16th Century A.D.).......................................... 211

Ruysch, Johannes (ca. 1507-1533 A.D.)......................................................... 212

Sylvanus, Bernardus (16th Century A.D.) ...................................................... 213

Mercator, Gerhard (1512-1594 A.D.)............................................................. 215

Vespucci, Juan Giovanni (16th Century A.D.)................................................ 218

Reinel, Jorge (1518-1572 A.D.)...................................................................... 220

Metellus, Johannes Matalus (1520-1597 A.D.) ........................ ,.................... 221

Salviati, Cardinal (16th Century A.D.)............................................................ 222

Ribeiro, Diogo (16th Century A.d!) .............................................................. 224

Ortelius of Antwerp, Abraham (1527-1598 A.D.).......................................... 225

Thome, Robert (16th Century A.D.)................................................................ 233

Rosaccio, Giuseppe (1530-1620 A.D.)........................................................... 233

Homem, Diogo (1530-1576 A.D.) ................................................................. 234

Treschel, Gaspar & Melchior (ca. 1535 A.D.)................................................. 235

Agnese, Battista (1536-1564 A.D.)................................. .,............................. 236

Amman, Jost (1539-1591 A.D.) ....................................... '............................. 239

Anonymous Spanish Cartographer (Ca.1523 A.D.)........................................ 240

Desliens, Nicolas (16th Century A.D.)............................................................. 241

Mercator, Rumold (ca. 1545-1599 A.D.)........................................................ 242

Bunting, Heinrich (1545-1606 A.D.).............................................................. 243

Ghisolfi, Francesco (ca., 1546 A.D.)............................................................... 244

Langenes, Barent (ca.1548- ca.1602 A.D.)..................................................... 245

Al-Sharafi of Safax (Safaquesi) Family (1551-1601 A.D./959-1010 H.) ...... 246

Plancius, Petrus (1552-1622 A.D.).................................................................. 252

Speed, John (1552-1629 A.D.)....................................................................... 253

Magini, Giovanni Antonio (1555-1617 A.D.) ................................................ 255

Wright, Edward (1558-1615 A.D.) ................................................................ 256

Forlani, Paolo (fl.l560-c. 1574 A.D.).............................................................. 258

Hondius, Jodocus (1563-1612 A.D.) ............................................................. 260

Linschoten, Jan Huygen van (1563-1610 A.D.)............................................. 261

Bertius, Petrus (1565-1629 A.D.) .................................................................. 262

Porro, Girolamo (fl. 1567-1599 A.D.)............................................................ 264

Bussemacher, Johannes (fl. 1580-1613 A.D.)................................................ 265

Tavernier, Melchior (the Elder) 1564-1641 A.D............................................. 266

Ziletti, Giordano (ca. 1564-74 A.D.) .................................... ..'...................... 267

Cossin, Jehan (16th Century A.D.).................................................................. 268

Blaeu, Willem Janszoon (1571-1638 A.D.).................................................... 269

Keere, Pieter van den (ca. 1571-1646 A.D.)................................................... 270

Langren, Henricus Florent van (1574-1604 A.D.).......................................... 272

Cluverius, Philippus (1580-1623 A.D.)........................................................... 273

Visscher [Piscator] II, Nicolaes Jansz (1649-1702 A.D.)............................... 274

Valle, Pietro Delia (1586-1625 A.D.)............................................................. 276

Jansonnius, Johannes (1588-1664 A.D.)......................................................... 277

Merian, Matthaus (1593-1650 A.D.).............................................................. 281

Eckebrecht, Philipp (1594-1667 A.D.) .......................................................... 282

Blaeu, Joan (1596-1673 A.D.)........................................................................ 284

16th Century Anonymous Cartographer after Cellarius (ca.1596 A.D.) ........ :; , 287

Hondius (Hondio), Henricus (1597-1651 A.D.) ............................................ 288

Olearius, Adam (1599-1671 A.D.)................................................................. 290

Sanson, Nicolas d'Abbeville (1600-1667 A.D.) & Mariette, Pierre (1603-1657 A.D.) .......291

Mallet, Alain Manesson (1603-1706 A.D.) ................................................. ...292

Wit, Frederick de (1610-1698 A.D.).............................................................. 294

Vingboons, Jan [Johannes] (ca. 1617-1670 A.D.).......................................... 296

Verbiest, Ferdinand (1623-1688 A.D.)........................................................... 298

Cassini, Jean-Dominique (1625-1712 A.D.)................................................... 299

Tholing, Theodoros (ca. 1634 A.D.)............................................................... 300

Cellarius [Keller], Christophorus (1638-1707 A.D.) ...................................... 302

Schenk, Pieter (1645-1715 A.D.).................................................................... 303

Fer, Nicolas de (1646-1720 A.D.)............................................................... ....304

Isfahani, Sadeq (ca. 1647 A.D./1057 H.)....................................................... 308

Allard, Carl (1648-1709 A.D.)........................................................................ 309

Rossi, Giovanni Giacomo de (1648-1691 A.D.)............................................. 310

Browne, Christopher (1648-1712 A.D.) ........................................................ 311

Valk, Gerard (1650-1720 A.D.) and Leonard (1675-1755 A.D.)................... 312

Coronelli, Vicenzo Maria (1650-1718 A.D.).................................................. 313

Kaempfer, Engelbert (1651- ca. 1716 A.D.)................................................... 314

Hubert, R. (ca. 1651 A.D.)......................................................................... .....315

Thornton, John (ca. 1652-1701 A.D.)......................................................... .....316

Weigelio (Weigelius), Christophoro, the Elder (1654-1725 A.D.) ................. 318

Keulen, C. van (1654-1715 A.D.) .................................................................. 323

Aa, Pieter van der (1659-1733 A.D.) ............................................................. 324

Blome, Richard (fl. 1660-1705 A.D.) ....................... .................................... 332

Mortier, Pierre (1661-1711 A.D.) ................................................................ ...334

Danckerts, Theodore (1663-ca. 1727 A.D.).................................................... 335

Homann, Johann-Baptist (1663-4- 1724 A.D.)............................................... 337

Seller, John (fl. 1664-1697 A.D.).................................................................... 342

Wells, Edward (1667-1727 A.D.)................................................................... 343

VIII

Petrini, Paolo (ca. 1670- ca. 1718 A.D.).......................................................... 344

Doppelmayer, Johann Gabriel (1671-1750 A.D.)............................................ 345

Calmet, Augustin (1672-1757 A.D.)............................................................... 346

Ibrahim, Efendi, Mutafarrikan (1674-1744 A.D.)........................................ ...348

Lisle (L'Isle), Guillaume de (1675-1726 A.D.) .............................................. 349

Morden, Robert (fl.1675-1703 A.D.).............................................................. 359

Relandus (Reeland), Adrianus (1676-1718 A.D.)........................................... 360

Seutter, Matthaus (1678-1757 A.D.)............................................................... 361

Moll, Herman (1680-1732 A.D.)..................................................................... 362

Hasius, Johann Matthias Hase (1684-1742 A.D.)........................................... 366

Chatelain, Henri Abraham (1684-1743 A.D.)................................................. 367

Mount, Richard and Page, Thomas (fl. 1684-1762 A.D.)............................... 370

Nolin, Jean Baptiste (1686-1762 A.D.)........................................................... 371

Stukeley, Wilhelmus [William] (1687-1765 A.D.).......................................... 373

Robert de Vaugondy, Gilles (1688-1766 A.D.).............................................. 374

Senex, John (fl. 1690-1740 A.D.) .................................................................. 382

Moullart Sanson, Pierre (fl. 1695 - 1730 A. D.).............................................. 385

d'Anville, Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon (1697-1782 A.D.)............................... 386

Prevost, Ant. F. (1697-1763 A.D.).................................................................. 392

Leth, Hendrik de (1703-1766 A.D.)............................................................... 393

Bellin, Jacques Nicolas (1703-1772 A.D.)...................................................... 394

Stackhouse, Thomas (1706-1784 A.D.).......................................................... 398

Tardieu, Pierre- Francois (1711-1771 A.D.).................................................... 400

Kitchin, Thomas (1718-1784 A.D.)............................................................ .....401

European Anonymous 18th Century Cartographer.......................................... 402

Bowen, Emanuel (1720-1767 A.D.)............................................................... .403

Le Rouge, George Louis (1722-1778 A.D.).................................................... 409

Robert de Vaugondy, Didier (1723-1786 A.D.)...................... :..................... 412

Ottens, Reinier (ca. 1723-1765 A.D.) ............................................................ 415

Valentyn, (Valentijn) Francois (ca. 1724-6 A.D.)........................................... 416

Desnos, Louis Charles (1725-1805 A.D.)....................................................... 417

Bonne, Rigobert (1727-1795 A.D.)................................................................. 419

Delahaye, Guillaume Nicolas (1727-1802 A.D.)............................................ .428

Mentelle, Edme (1730-1815 A.D.) ................................................................. 430

Tirion, Isaac (fl. 1732-1769 A.D.)................................................................... 432

Niebuhr, Carsten (1733-1815 A.D.)................................ ,............................... 435

Dalrymple, Alexander (1737-1808 A.D.)....................................................... .436

Delamarche, Charles Francois (1740-1817 A.D.)........................................... 437

La Perouse, Jean- Francois de Galaup, Comte de (17414788 A.D.).............. 440

Janvier, Jean (ca. 1746-1790 A.D.)................................................................. 441

Gibson., John (fl. 1749-1792 A.D.) ............................................................... 443

Bowen, Thomas (1749-1790 A.D.) ................................................................ ...........' 444

Arrowsmith, Aaron (1750-1833 A.D.).......................................................... ..446 '

Schley, Jacob van der (fl. about 1750-1770 A.D.)........................................ ..449

Lotted, Tobiae Conradi (fl. 1750-1777 A.D.)......................................... .........450

Dunn, Samuel (fl. 1751-1794 A.D.)....................................... .............................452.

Rollos, G. (fl. 1754-1789 A.D.)..................................................... ..........:.........457'

Gary, John (fl. 1754-1835 A.D.)..................................................................... 458

Brion de la Tour, Louis (ca. 1756-1823 A.D.)................................................ 459

~ • • * - • /« incn 10A/1 A T^ \ 4^2

Neel, Samuel John [Neele & Son] (1758-1824 A.D.) .................................... 463

Reichard, Christian Gottieb Theophil (1758-1837 A.D.)............................... 464

Chanlaire, Pierre Gregoire (1758-1817 A.D.)................................................. 466

Pinkerton, John (1758-1826 A.D.).................................................................. 467

Steiler, Adolf (1775-1836 A.D.) .................................................................... 469

Malte-Brun, Conrad (1775-1826 A.D.).......................................................... 470

Lizars, Daniel (fl. 1776-1812 A.D.)................................................................ 471

Santini, P. (fl. 1776-1783 A.D.)...................................................................... 473

Jacques, Nicolas (ca. 1780 A.D.) ................................................................... 474

Menzies, J & G. (1780-ca. 1840 A.D.) ........................................................... ;475

Sauerberg, H. (18th century A.D.) .................................................................. 476

Lucas, Fielding Jr. (1781-1854 A.D.) ............................................................ 477

Stuelpnagel, Fr. von (1781-1865 A.D.) ......................................................... 478

Weiland, Carl Ferdinand (1781-1847 A.D.) ... :.............................................. 480

Elwe, Jan Barend (fl. 1785-1809 A.D.) ......................................................... 481

Justus Perthes Geographische Verlags (founded in 1785 A.D.)..................... 483

Norie, John William (fl. ca. 1785-1843 A.D.)................................................. 488

Wilkinson, Robert (fl. 1785-1825 A.D.)......................................................... 490

Brue, Adrien Hubert (1786 - 1832 A. D.)............. v........................................ 492

Tanner, Henry Schenck (1786-1858 A.D.).......... 1.................... r.................. 493

Venetik, i Vans Srboyn Ghazaru (ca. 1787A.D.) ........................................... 494

Lizars, William Home (1788-1859 A.D.)....................................................... .495

Jackson (18th Century A.D.)............................................................................ 498

Wyld, James, the Elder (1790-1836 A.D.)...................................................... 499

Arrowsmith, John (1790-1873 A.D.).............................................................. 500

Mitchell, Samuel A. (1792-1868 A.D.) .......................................................... 502

Perrot, Aristide Michel (1793-1879 A.D.)...................................................... 505

Laurie & Whittle (ca. 1794-1875 A.D.).......................................................... 506

British Admiralty (founded in 1795 A.D.)..................................................... 509

Berghaus, Heinrich Carl Wilhelm (1797-1884 A. D.)..................................... 510

Head, Capitan Charles (ca. 1797-1867 A.D.) ................................................ 512

Chapter IV:

The Persian Gulf in Geographical Maps of the Modern Cartography

(From 1800 to 2000 A.D.)

Gamier, F. A. (1803-1863 A.D.)..................................................................... 517

Oliver, GA. (19th Century A.D.)..................................................................... 518

Vuillemin, Alexander A. (1812- ca.1874 A.D.) ............................................. 519

Wyld, James, the Younger (1812-1887 A.D.) ................................................ 520

Thomas, John (fl. 1814-1869 A.D.) ................................................................ 522

Dussieux, Louis Etienne (1815-1894 A.D.).................................................... 525

Badger, Rev. George Percy (1815-1888 A.D.)............................................... 527

Hall, Sidney (fl. 1817-1860 A.D.) ................................................................. 528

Kiepert, Heinrich C. (1818-1899 A.D.).................................................... :..... 532

Fremin, A. R. (ca. 1820-1868 A.D.)........................................ :;..................... 533

Berthe (19th Century A.D.).............................................................................. 534

Lothian, John (fl. 1825-1846 A.D.)................................................................ 535

Dower, John (fl. 1825- c.1891 A.D.) ............................................................. 536

Johnston, firm of W. & A. K. (1825- c. 1863 A.D.)....................................... 537

X

Teesdale, Henry [& Co.] (ca. 1826-1860 A.D.).............................................. 538

Neele, James (Neele &' Son) fl. 1826-1845 A.D............................................. 539

Horseburg, James (19th Century A.D.).................... ....................................... 540

Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (1829- ca.1876 A.D.)......... 541

Long, George (1830-1854 A.D.)..................................................................... 542

Royal Geographical Society (Founded 1830 A.D.) ............ .......................... 545

Kelly, Thomas (1835-1843 A.D.).................................................................... 547

Andriveu-Goujon, J. (ca.1835-1868 A.D.).................................................... ,.548

Tallis & Co. (1838-1851 A.D.) ....................................................................... 549

Herrich, A. (19th Century A.D.) .................................................................. ....551

Levasseur, Victor (1838-1854 A.D.)............................................................... 552

William, E. P. (19th Century A.D.).................................................................. 555

Cram, George (1841-1928 A.D.)..................................................................... 556

Spruner, Karl von (1846-1880 A.D.) ............................................................. 557

Anonymous Ottoman Cartographer, before 1850 A.D................................... 558

Graf, Adolf (ca. 1850-1890 A.D.).................................................................. 560

Orr & Dower (19th Century A.D.)................................................................... 561

Jackson, Peter (19th Century A.D.)................................................................. 562

Civelli, Giuseppe (19th century A.D.).............................................................. 563

Ferrier, Joseph Pierre (19th century A.D.)........................................................ 564

Bartholomew, John George (1860-1920 A.D.)............................................... 566

Blackie & Son (ca.1860-1893 A.D.) .............................................................. 568

Johnson & Ward Publishers (1860-1885 A.D.)............................................... 569

Weller, Edward (1861-1884 A.D.)................................................................. .570

Smith, William (19th century A.D.)................................................................. 572

Chevallier, H. (19th century A.D.)................................................................... 573

Dieulafoy, Jane (19th century A.D.)................................................................ 574

1919 A.D. .,.............................................. „...... !................................... ;.... ...575

1922 A.D..... .7................................................................................................. 576

Let us analyze Site A in more detail. The first analysis shows that site A does not hold true to its word with regards to providing maps that have the designation :’’Arabian Gulf’’. If any user clicks under collections in this site and then view a map and then click on map index and then clicks on the one from 1740(Jacques Nicholas Bellin) and does a zoom on the map, it is very clear that on the legend on the bottom left corner of the image it clearly says on the text ''Et Golfe de Perse'' (Persian Gulf). Thus this map is out.

Apprxoimately 60% of the maps in the site are from Meractor-Hondius-Jannsonis and approximately 20% are from John Speed. Regarding the English map of Meractor-Hondius-Jannsonius (they have it in variety of languages and only the English one seems to have a problem) which has Sinus Arabicus, let us quote another reliable academic source and also include the more recent maps.

‘’ There is apparently an error in this map regarding the name of the Persian Gulf. All editions of Mercator's Geographia contain one map of the world and one of Asia. Following the Ptolemy tradition, in all of these maps the Red Sea and occasionally the Gulf of Aden, is called 'Sinus Arabicus', and the Persian Gulf 'Sinus Persicus'. In the map of Persia included in the Meractor-Hondius atlases, however the Persian Gulf is named 'Sinus Arabicus'. This nomenclature contradicts not only the Ptolemic tradition but also the world map and the map of Asia in the same atlas, both of them surely prepared by Meractor himself. The reason for this disrepency could only be the fact that the map of Persia was not completed and probably not even prepared by Meractor, but by Hondius twelve years after Meractor's death. Hondius or his assistants apparently mixed up the two Ptolemaic terms Sinus Arabicus and Sinus Persicus. Janssonius must have noticed this error, for he rectified it by using the term 'Sinus Persicus' again for Persian Gulf in his atlases which appeared during the 1640s and later. ‘’

(Dr. Cyrus Alai, General Maps of Persia 1477 - 1925 (Handbook of Oriental Studies: Section 1, the Near and Middle East) (Hardcover)), Brill Academic Publishers, 2005.

Please note that the information is taken from a highly regarded academic book extremely referenced book with over 400+ maps of Persia.

http://www.amazon.com/General-Maps-Persia-1477-Handbook/dp/9004147594/sr=8-1/qid=1171225871/ref=sr_1_1/105-1914486-1638861?ie=UTF8&s=books

From the above we can assume that the historically legitimate name of Persian Gulf has always been in use whereas the non-legitimate term of Arabian Gulf has no precedence.

The book can be found in every major university (chicago, columbia, harvard) and the author has given many talks in cartographic centers. Maps from the author’s book which are well sourced will be provided via links. A relevant portion of the above book may be found here (large file):

http://www.azargoshnasp.net/persiangulf/abvanhonmerccyrus.pdf

As mentioned in the texts of the Atlases, the nomenclature Arabian Gulf never existed as a historical name. Much more importantly there does not exist a single textual evidence referring to the Persian Gulf as Arabian Gulf. Now in the texts of the above Atlases mentioned in Site A, only Persian Gulf is referred to and there does not exist a single line where Arabian Gulf is mentioned for the Persian Gulf. Also in the same atlases there are more maps of Persian Gulf. There does not exist a single Arabic text before the era of pan-arabism nationalism of 20th century that calls the body of water Arabian Gulf. The Site has watermarked its images and thus its reliability can not be ascertained. Site A also hides the fact that Mercator and Hondius have more maps with the designation of Persian and most importantly in the text of their Atlas they only use Persian Gulf.

The story is similar with John Speed who probably used one of older version of Hondius. In the text as well as many of the maps in the same book (which site A took their map from) the Persian Gulf is mentioned whereas no where in the text of the Atlases is the term Arabian Gulf mentioned. Thus site A has suspiciously hid this fact from readers of their site in order to make a legitimate claim for a historically illegitimate name. Note so far that site A has not brought a single textual evidence.

1)

First we analyze Mercator/Hexam/Hondius maps. The reader might want to look at some authentic maps from these sources and the background of these maps at the link provided:

http://www.azargoshnasp.net/PersianGulf/abvanhonmerccyrus.pdf

It is from the first edition of Hexam's translation brought out by Jodocus's son Henry Hondius. The year of publishing is believed to be 1641 (or 1644?) from the legend.

http://www.azargoshnasp.net/PersianGulf/wikiphondiushexamMercator1641.pdf

Note the map on pg 10 of the PDF clearly says Persian Gulf (Sinus Persicus).

The map on pg 12 is ambiguous as it is has used the term Sinus Arabicus twice which shows a clear mistake. And finally the map on pg 20 uses Sinus Arabicus. All these maps are from the same book. But the owner of Site A does not display the map on pg 10. Similarly he makes no mention of the texts within the Atlas which have clearly used Persian Gulf throughout. Now let us quote the text (pg 19 on the PDF): ‘’This Kingdom is situate between the Turkish empire; the Tatar Zagatheans the Kingdom Cambaya, between the Hircanian or Caspian Sea, and the PERSIAN GULF;…’’ .

Similarly the text continues: ‘’On the South is Persian Gulf and the India Sea’’.

Thus to pick and choose one map from the same book and ignore the texts and other maps from the same book does not create any sort of historical legitimacy for a name. Site A intentionally fails to bring the relevant maps from the same book and tries to make the readers believe that the name of this body of water was Sinus Arabicus. But as the text clearly shows, Meractor considers it as Persian Gulf and in the same book he has a map with Sinus Persicus. In the end as will be seen, the map probably considers both Persian Gulf and Red Sea as part of the Arabian Sea.

2)

Once again Hondius map.

http://www.azargoshnasp.net/PersianGulf/wikiphondisumercactor1635.pdf

Pg 6)

Note Mare Rubrum (red sea) is mentioned below the horn of Africa! Thus this clearly shows that without textual evidence, one can not look at a map blindly.

Pg 10)

Note Mare Rubrum (red Sea) is again below the horn of Africa.

Pg 11)

Note that there is Mare el-Catif where the Persian Gulf is.

Pg 14)

Note the Red Sea is called:’’ARABICI SINUS PARS Mare Rubrum’’.

Pg 21-25)

The text clearly says Persian Bay. ‘’And between the Hircanian Sea and Persian Bay’’

3)

Now let us try another version of Hondius.

http://www.azargoshnasp.net/PersianGulf/wikipmercatorhondius1637_1635.pdf

Pg 4

Comment:

note misplacement of red sea (Mare Rubrum) all the way below the horn of Afica). Again showing without textual evidence, such maps can not be interpreted.

Pg6

Comment:

(note misplacement of red sea (Mare Rubrum) all the way below the horn of Afica). Again showing without textual evidence, such maps can not be interpreted.

Note the Arabicus below Saudia Arabia.

Pg 12:

Comment:

Note there is designation of Mare el-Qatif in the Persian Gulf.

Pg 15:

Comment:

Note Sinus Arabicus is in the Red Sea. Note the difference with pg 4 and 6 where red sea is below the horn of Africa.

855-859

Note despite the mark of Sinus Arabicus on the map (see comments of C-pg 15) in the map, the text clearly calls it Persian Bay.

4)

Now we examine John Speed.

John Speed

http://www.azargoshnasp.net/PersianGulf/wikipjohnspeed1646.pdf

Pg 9)

Note the map. Persian Gulf is called Sinus Persica. Note that the red sea is called part of the Arabian Sea. (this could be the source of some confusion).

Pg 10)

Note the text on part 14:

‘’ It is distinct from the Aethiopia so often mentioned in Scripture; For by all probability that was in another quarter of the world, and teacheth from the Red-Sea to the Persian Gulf.’’

Pg 11)

Note the text on part 10:

‘’The bounds of this Empire on the North are the Caspian Sea, and the River Oxus; on the South the Sinus Persicus’’

Pg 12)

Note the misplacement. Assyria is put in the place of Persia. Thus such misplacement can easily occur in maps and this again shows maps can have mistake. So again one has to rely on the textual evidence. Note the Persian Gulf though is called Sinus Persicus here and furthermore the red sea is called part of the Arabian Sea.

Note also the text on the next page:

‘’ It lieth betwixt Media on the North, and the Sinus Persicus on her South:’’

Note again the text:

‘’ The bounds of this Empire on the North are the Caspian Sea, and the River Oxus; on the South the Sinus Persicus, and the Mare Indicum, heretofore called Rubrum;’’

Note again the text:

‘’ Susiana, now Cuceston, seems to have her name from Cus, upon the South of Assyria, West of Persia, East of Babylonia, and North of the Persick bay.

‘’ Upon the confines of the Persian Empire stands a potent Kingdome, which comprehends part of the coast of Persia, some Islands of the Persick bay: and a good portion of Arabia Foelix near to those Seas.’’

Pg 14)

This is the map used by the Arabian Gulf site. But note from the same book two other maps on pg 9 and 12, clearly calls it Persian Gulf.

I have checked all the text and the textual evidence only calls it Persick bay, Persian Gulf, Sinus Persian. Thus there is no textual evidence whatsoever for Arabian Gulf or Mare-al-Qateef.

Finally besides the 400+ maps about the Persian Gulf mentioned in the first book by Dr. Sahabi, we provide maps of Persian Gulf for the rest of the authors mentioned in site A in the following two links.

(The links are fairly large and it is recommended that the reader downloads them fully before opening them)

http://www.azargoshnasp.net/PersianGulf/Persiangulfsahab.pdf

http://www.azargoshnasp.net/PersianGulf/abvanhonmerccyrus.pdf

Note pg 21-26 of the PDF file provides multiple maps from Ottelius Abahram. Note unlike site A whose source is 1550 the exact map of the Turkish empire from the scans of Sahab’s book is from 1571.

Note pg 27 provides another map from John Speed again dated 1646 which is a later date then the maps provided by site A. Thus showing another correction.

Note pg 28-29 provides a map of Jodocus Hondius.

Note pg 31 provides maps from Pieter van den Keere. Unlike Site A the source is dated 1676 which is much newer.

Note pg 36 provides a map from Jacques Nicolas Bellin dated 1764 again much more recent then the date provided by site A. But as we mentioned already the 1740 map of Bellin in the site already mentions Persian.

In conclusion:

A) There does not exist a single textual evidence providing any sort of historical legitimacy for the name Arabian Gulf in reference to the body of water known universally as Persian Gulf in any text.

B) A few maps by Meractor and Hondius made a cartographic mistake and of course we saw how Assyria was put in Central Persia or the red sea was placed in various locations from Indian Ocean to below the horn of Africa to the red Sea.

C) Newer editions of the same atlases have fixed their mistake and thus showing clearly that there is no precedence for the historically non-legitimate name of Arabian Gulf.

D) One or two map makes made a cartographic mistakes in the same which propagated to several maps. But in these exact books there are maps with Persian Gulf and all the texts clearly mention the area as Persian Gulf. One can not ignore the newer editions of atlases by the same author as well as 400+ other authors we already mentioned.

E) Not a single Arabic text before the era of Arab nationalism has referenced the Persian Gulf as Arabian Gulf. Readers who are familiar with Arabic might want to read the following link: http://www.azargoshnasp.net/PersianGulf/alkhalijalfarsi.doc