South-East Europe · 19th century
€ 370
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good, given age. General age-related toning, especially around the edges. horizontal folding line as issued. Please study scan carefully.
The map titled "GRAECIA, EPIRUS post bella Persica," translates to "Greece and Epirus after the Persian Wars." It covers the regions of ancient Greece and Epirus following the Greco-Persian Wars, a series of conflicts between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire during the 5th century BC.
What makes this map interesting:
1. **Historical Context**: The period after the Persian Wars was pivotal for ancient Greece, leading to the rise of Athens as a major power and the Golden Age of Athens.
2. **Inset Maps**: Detailed insets, such as the one showing the Acropolis of Athens, provide close-up views of historically significant locations.
3. **Topography**: It features the diverse terrain of Greece, from the rugged mountain ranges to the intricate coastlines and islands, influencing the development of Greek city-states.
4. **City-States**: The map likely details the various polis or city-states, such as Athens, Sparta, Thebes, and others, which played critical roles in the Persian Wars.
5. **Battle Sites**: It might mark important battle sites from the wars, like Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.
6. **Latin Labels**: The use of Latin for place names and descriptions adds to the map's scholarly quality.
7. **Cultural Landmarks**: The map may include locations of significant cultural and historical landmarks from the era, such as temples, theatres, and agoras.
This map is from the "Spruner-Menke Atlas Antiquus," compiled by Karl Spruner von Merz and edited by Theodorus Menke. The atlas, known for its detailed maps of historical and ancient geographies, was a significant educational tool in the 19th century.
The Greco-Persian Wars, which included famous battles such as Marathon and Salamis, were crucial for the preservation of Greek independence and the survival of Greek culture. Their conclusion led to a flourishing of Greek culture, philosophy, and democracy, especially in Athens, which the map likely portrays in the aftermath of these momentous events.
