Grece Moderne ou Partie Méridionale de la Turquie en Europe

This charming copperplate engraved map from the early 18th century shows ‘Modern Greece’ – the somewhat backwards subject state of the Ottoman Empire, rather than the bastion of democracy and culture from the Hellenic Period. The historic region had long been a battleground between competing powers- the Battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Lepanto, the Fourth Crusade, and the Siege(s) of Constantinople are just a few of the major conflicts that took place. The contest was also religious. Local Christian infrastructure is reflected by small crosses above the major cities and towns. The map was published in Paris in 1705 as part of Nicolas de Fer’s L’Atlas Curieux ou Le Monde.