A ‘Lafreri-type’ map of Taprobana

A 16th century map of the semi-mythical island of Taprobana, representing Roman knowledge of Sri Lanka, with numerous towns and nearby islands named. The Romans knew of Sri Lanka as the source of the cinnamon they used to burn as incense, but only through the Arab traders that brought the spice to markets of Egypt. The legend of a large island on the Equatior with a powerful king built up but, by Magini's time, Sri Lanka was discounted as Taprobana and Sumatra became the main candidate (championed by Mercator), as described in the text box underneath the elephant to the left of the map.