The Ancient Roman Empire by John Speed

John Speed's map of the ancient Roman Empire is a renowned 17th-century work, distinguished by miniature bird's-eye views of key cities such as Rome, Genoa, Jerusalem, Venice, Constantinople, and Alexandria, arranged along the top border. The two sides of the map feature costumed figures depicting men and women from various countries, including Spain, Turkey, Morocco, Italy, and Egypt, wearing 17th-century attire. At the bottom, a text box provides a concise overview of the rise and peak of the Roman Empire, thus offering a rich and engaging historical and geographical description.

John Speed was the most important English cartographer of the 17th century and the creator of the first English-language world atlas, published as a supplement to his atlas of British counties. The map, although intended for the English market, was engraved in Amsterdam, reflecting the Dutch style of the era with sumptuous illustrated borders. The quality of the engraving is extraordinary, surpassing that of contemporary English maps and matching the best Dutch works of the time.

Material of unique quality

Print on handmade Amalfi paper
Sheet size: 40 x 30 cm
With frame: 43 x 33 cm
Material: artwork printed on exquisite handmade Amalfi paper with deckled edges
Frame: light brown, made of beech wood and handmade wood pulp