By:  M. Pool

Date: 1700 (circa)

Dimensions: 17.75  x 23.75 inches (45.1 x 60.33 cm)

This rare and unusual bird's-eye view of Rome focuses on the ruins and historical remnants of the city as they appeared in the early 18^th century. The map is oriented west not north. with the Tiber running horizontally in the lower half of the map. as is fairly common in maps of the Eternal City.

The map provides an accurate picture of important ancient monuments. traces of buildings. and remains of aqueducts. fortifications and city walls from various eras. A list of important architectural edifices names thirty five such structures.

The city encompassed seven hills and was divided into 14 regions. but the valleys and the level plains were filled with domed buildings that made them so like the hills that some of the hills can scarcely be distinguished from them. In the imperial era the city was adorned with stately buildings. which. of course. the upheavals of the period of barbarian incursions destroyed.

Bellano. the Roman goddess of war sits in the upper left quadrant while in the lower right. a vignette depicts the fall of Rome to Germanic invaders. with one barbarian holding a torch aloft while another seizes the ensign of the city.

Condition: Map is in B+ condition with some light foxing in a few areas and a centerfold separation in the bottom margin that has been repaired on the verso witharchival materials.

Inventory #11641

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