circular timeline from the Nuremberg Chronicle

Cabinet Magazine has an amazing timeline of timelines [via fimoculous]. This circular one (apparently depicting the creation of the world) from the Nuremberg Chronicle is definitely my favorite.

The Nuremberg Chronicle got its unimaginative name because it never had a true title. Wikipedia explains:

The Nuremberg Chronicle is one of the best documented early printed books, being printed in 1493. [...]

The Chronicle is an illustrated world history, in which the contents are divided into seven ages:

• First age: From Creation to Deluge
• Second age: Until birth of Abraham
• Third age: Until King David
• Fourth age: Until Babylonian captivity
• Fifth age: Until birth of Jesus Christ
• Sixth age: Present time (largest part)
• Seventh age: Outlook on the end of the world and the Last Judgement

Wikipedia will also have you know that the Chronicle is an incunabulum—a book from printing's infancy.

For the curious, Beloit College has a heavily illustrated guided tour of the Chronicle, from portraits to martyrdom stories to omens.