Carte Genealogique des Divinitez du Paganisme, l’Incertitude de Leur Origine Avec des Instructions pour Conduire a la Connoissance de la Fable et a l’Histoire Ancienne et Moderne Avec Diverses Observations

A complicated overview of family relationships from Roman mythology.

“Genealogical Chart of the Deities of Paganism, the Uncertainty of Their Origin With Instructions to Lead to the Knowledge of Fable and Ancient and Modern History With Various Observations” – Approximate title translation.

This expansive family tree presents a somewhat simplified overview of the creation of the world according to Roman mythology. Titans and Olympians (notably, Saturn and Jupiter) branch forth from Heaven in the lower center, which is flanked by two planetary diagrams. Dozens of other kings, heroes, and mythical beings are labeled throughout the complex genealogical chart. Illustrations in the lower corners show ten (rather than twelve) major deities of the Greek/Roman pantheon.

The copperplate-engraved sheet was originally published as part of Henri Abraham Chatelain’s important Atlas Historique. This monumental seven-volume set was first issued in Amsterdam between 1705 and 1720. The scholarly, but approachable, work was aimed at a broad audience, eager for new information during the Age of Enlightenment. The depth of content offers of a nuanced synthesis of geography, cosmography, history, religion, ethnology, and political science. The descriptive text (in French) and skillfully engraved maps, diagrams, and illustrations provide a fascinating window into the world of the early 18th century.