# Piri Reis > Turkish admiral and cartographer **Wikidata**: [Q217915](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q217915) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piri_Reis) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/piri-reis ## Summary Piri Reis was a Turkish admiral, cartographer, and geographer best known for his 1513 nautical chart, the *Piri Reis map*, which depicted parts of the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean with remarkable accuracy for its time. He also authored *Kitab-ı Bahriye*, a comprehensive book on navigation, and played a key role in Ottoman naval campaigns during the early 16th century. ## Biography - **Born**: c. 1470 (exact place unknown) - **Nationality**: Ottoman (Turkish) - **Education**: No formal education recorded; trained as a mariner and cartographer - **Known for**: Creating the *Piri Reis map* (1513) and writing *Kitab-ı Bahriye*, a seminal work on Mediterranean navigation - **Employer(s)**: Ottoman Navy (served as admiral and naval commander) - **Field(s)**: Cartography, geography, naval warfare ## Contributions Piri Reis made significant contributions to cartography and naval strategy: - **Piri Reis map (1513)**: A world map fragment showing the western coasts of Europe, Africa, and the Americas, notable for its accuracy and incorporation of earlier sources, including possibly pre-Columbian maps. - **Kitab-ı Bahriye (Book of Navigation, c. 1521)**: A detailed guide to the Mediterranean Sea, including ports, coastlines, and sailing instructions, used by Ottoman sailors for centuries. - **Naval campaigns**: Participated in key Ottoman conflicts, including the Battle of Zonchio (1499), Battle of Modon (1500), Siege of Rhodes (1522), and the Ottoman–Mamluk War (1516–17). ## FAQs ### What is the Piri Reis map? The Piri Reis map is a 1513 nautical chart created by Piri Reis, depicting parts of the Americas, Europe, and Africa. It is notable for its accuracy and possible use of earlier, now-lost maps. ### What is *Kitab-ı Bahriye*? *Kitab-ı Bahriye* is a book written by Piri Reis around 1521, serving as a comprehensive guide to Mediterranean navigation, including detailed maps and sailing instructions. ### What naval battles did Piri Reis participate in? Piri Reis fought in several key Ottoman naval battles, including the Battle of Zonchio (1499), Battle of Modon (1500), Siege of Rhodes (1522), and the Ottoman–Mamluk War (1516–17). ### Why is Piri Reis important in cartography? Piri Reis is important because his 1513 map was one of the earliest to accurately depict the New World, blending European, Arab, and possibly pre-Columbian sources. ## Why They Matter Piri Reis’s work advanced Ottoman naval power and cartographic knowledge. His map provided early evidence of transatlantic exploration, while *Kitab-ı Bahriye* became a foundational text for Mediterranean sailors. His contributions influenced later cartographers and geographers, bridging Eastern and Western navigational traditions. ## Notable For - Creating the *Piri Reis map* (1513), one of the oldest surviving maps showing the Americas. - Authoring *Kitab-ı Bahriye*, a key navigational manual for the Ottoman Empire. - Serving as an admiral in major Ottoman naval campaigns. - Combining multiple cartographic traditions into a single, highly accurate map. ## Body ### Early Life and Career Piri Reis (also known as Hadji Muhammad or Muhiddin Piri) was born around 1470 in the Ottoman Empire. He began his career as a mariner, gaining experience in navigation and cartography. By the late 15th century, he participated in Ottoman naval campaigns, including the Battle of Zonchio (1499) and the Battle of Modon (1500). ### Cartographic Work In 1513, Piri Reis completed his famous world map, which depicted the western coasts of Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The map was notable for its accuracy and possible use of earlier sources, including maps from Christopher Columbus or even pre-Columbian explorers. His *Kitab-ı Bahriye* (Book of Navigation), written around 1521, became a standard reference for Ottoman sailors, detailing Mediterranean ports, coastlines, and sailing routes. ### Naval Campaigns Piri Reis served as an admiral in several key Ottoman military campaigns: - **Ottoman–Venetian War (1499–1503)**: Fought in the Battle of Zonchio (1499) and Battle of Modon (1500). - **Ottoman–Mamluk War (1516–17)**: Participated in the conquest of Egypt and the Levant. - **Siege of Rhodes (1522)**: Played a role in the Ottoman capture of the island from the Knights of Rhodes. - **Capture of Aden (1548) and Muscat (1552)**: Led or supported Ottoman expansion in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. ### Later Life and Legacy Piri Reis continued his naval and cartographic work until his death in 1554 or 1553. His maps and writings remained influential in Ottoman navigation and European cartography. The *Piri Reis map* is now housed in the Topkapı Palace Museum in Istanbul, while *Kitab-ı Bahriye* is preserved in multiple manuscripts. ### Influence on Cartography Piri Reis’s work bridged Eastern and Western cartographic traditions, incorporating Arab, European, and possibly earlier sources. His map provided early evidence of transatlantic exploration, while his book standardized navigational knowledge for the Ottoman Empire. His contributions influenced later geographers and sailors, shaping the development of maritime cartography. ## References 1. Union List of Artist Names. 2018 2. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/piri-reis) 3. LIBRIS. 2013 4. BnF authorities 5. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. Virtual International Authority File 8. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 9. [LIBRIS. 2013](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/hftx2v611mbln4s) 10. HMML Authority File 11. 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