Alexandri Magni Macedonis Expeditio.

Article description

Original copper engraving, published 1612 in the famous historical atlas "Parergon" (Latin text-edition) by Abraham Ortelius. Finely later hand colored in wash and outline. Abraham Ortelius's historical map depicting the expedition of Alexander the Great with the inset view of the temple of Jupiter Amman, situated in present day in Libya, where Alexander the Great went to ask what would be the result of his expedition. The geographical sources of this map is based on various classical authors: Archelaus, Diogenes, Plinius, Ptolemy, Livius and Plutarch. This highly decorative and interessting historical map shows the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East and Persia towards the neighbouring India. The fleet of Alexander the Great nicely engraved in the northern part of the Indian Ocean together with a small sea monster. Historical place names, rivers and mountain chains are engraved on the antique map. Lower right corner with a text cartouche with a dedication to Abraham Ortelius and above ornated with a coin showing a portrait of Alexander the Great. The map is ornated with two cartouches, on top in the middle the title cartouche, on the lower right side the decorative text cartouche and the ,priviliegium' with the date ,1595' in the upper right corner. In the lower left corner we find an inset showing the oracle of Jupiter Amman. Villages and towns are shown as miniature views. The map was published for the first time in 1595 in the edition of the ,Theatrum Orbis Terrarum' and was published until 1624 in the atlas ,Parergon' by A. Ortelius.

Broe. 222 (1st state of 2)