Source: European map created in 1375 showing Mansa Musa (1312–1337), a ruler of Mali. The caption reads, in part, “So abundant
is the gold found in his country that he is the richest and most noble king in all
the land.”
Although maps and charts do not generally indicate a point of view, this map—created by a European—depicts Mansa Musa as larger than
life because
of his
richness (note how he is shown holding a gold nugget). The map therefore reveals the value Europeans
placed on wealth.
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