Cronologie Historique des Rois, et Differents etats de L’Ancienne Grece, Avec des Remarques Curieuses sur L’Histoire Prophane

Outlining the foundations of western democracy.

“Historical Chronology of Kings, and Different States of Ancient Greece, With Curious Remarks on Prophetic History” – Approximate title translation.

This antique composite sheet presents an engaging historical overview of ancient Greece. A map of the Peloponnese is accompanied by small insets of showing the cities of Athens, Thebes, Corinth, and Megara near their height, plus a view of Mt. Cynthus on the island of Delos. Tables of text offer brief summaries of the major Greek city-states.

The copperplate-engraved sheet was originally published in Paris 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 breadth of content offers 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.