Greece - Attica

J. Janssonius, Attica, Mecarica, Corinthiaca, Boetia, Phocis, Locri. Amsterdam 1650. A beautiful, highly detailed, and historically significant mid-17th-century historical map of Ancient Greece. Engraved and published in Amsterdam in 1650 by the eminent cartographer Johannes Janssonius (1588–1664), this work originates directly from the rare French-text edition of his milestone atlas volume: Cinquiesme partie du Grand Atlas (also known as the Water-Weereld / Atlas Maritimus). While famously compiled into this maritime volume, this specific sheet focuses on the classical geographies of the ancient world. This map is a depiction of central Classical Greece. It covers the Peloponnese land bridge, Corinth (Corinthiaca), the territories around Athens (Attica), Megaris (Mecarica), Boeotia, Phocis (including Mount Parnassus and the oracle of Delphi), and Locris. To the east, the large island of Euboea (Negroponte) is intricately mapped along the coastline. True to the pinnacle of the Dutch Golden Age, the landscape is densely filled with engraved details of mountain ranges, forests, and winding rivers. The title in the upper left corner is housed in an elegant, minimalist classical scroll block. The waters of the Aegean and Ionian seas are brought to life with finely engraved zeventiende-eeuwse sailing ships caught in motion. The map is based on the authoritative geographical delineations of the Dutch physician and scholar Theodorus Velius (Dirk Thoniszoon Velius of Hoorn, 1572–1630), as proudly credited in the title scroll: “Ex Clarissimi D.T. Velii M.D. Delineatione.” Janssonius incorporated classical maps into his fifth volume to give mariners and scholars historical context on the ancient trade routes and territories of the Mediterranean. In Original Hand-Color! Dimensions: 36 x 49 cm (engraving), 50,2 x 60,9 cm (paper). Good condition, paper slightly browned and with some small spots, a few small tears in white margin.

Estimate:$333.89

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