Turkey and Cyprus – Gerard Mercator + Jodocus Hondius, 1606

“Natoliae sive Asia Minor” [Anatolia, or Asia Minor] copper engraving made by Gerard Mercator in 1595 and published by Jodocus Hondius as part of the “Atlas sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et fabricati figura” for the first time in 1606. With original hand colouring. Verso:  Latin text. Size (plate mark): 34.5 x 47.8 cm.

At publication this is how the region was described:

Asia Minor, today called Natolia or Anatolia, was named to distinguish it from the larger continent of Asia. According to ancient sources, it is bounded by the Euphrates in the east, the Mediterranean Sea in the south, Lycia and Pamphylia, the Aegean Sea and the Archipelago in the west, and the Pontus Euxinus (Black Sea) in the north. Pliny measures its length at 1,400 miles, while Herodotus gives its width as five days’ journey. The region is renowned for its temperate climate, clear air, fertile lands, and abundant resources: wine, oil, grain, pastures, forests, domestic and wild animals, fish, and birds.

Once it was a wealthy land rich in gold, silver, gemstones, and pearls, crossed by rivers, streams, and forests. It was home to many ancient kingdoms, including those of the Trojans, Cretans, Mithridates, Antiochians, Paphlagonians, Galatians, Cappadocians, and others. The territory was conquered successively by Cyrus, Alexander the Great and his successors, then divided between Syria, Egypt, and Babylonia, later ravaged by the Romans, and finally subjected to the Turkish emperor.

Under Turkish rule, the region is divided into Beylerbeyliques (governorates) with numerous provinces and districts: Pontus, Bithynia, Paphlagonia, Lycia, Galatia, Pamphylia, Cappadocia, Cilicia, and Lesser Armenia.

Among its notable cities are Trapezus (Trabzon), Amasya, Iconium (Konya), Mazaca (Caesarea), as well as cities along the Black Sea and the Aegean coast such as Ephesus, Sardis, Smyrna, Myra, and Miletus.

Major rivers include the Iris, Halys, Thermodon, Sangarius, Cydnus, Eurymedon, and the winding Maeander. The Pontus (Black Sea) is rich in fish and sea creatures; its inhabitants are highly skilled in navigation and seafaring.

Famous mountains include Olympus (in Mysia), the Synnades, Tmolus (in Lydia), Argæus (in Cappadocia), Taurus (in Cilicia), and Chimæra (in Lycia), where, according to Pliny, eternal flames rise from the earth.

Once, this land was adorned with splendid structures, such as the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the temple of Diana at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, the Turks primarily build practical structures like caravanserais and bathhouses. Their diet largely consists of dried or salted meat, nuts, figs, almonds, and walnuts. Most of the population engages in crafts, trade, woodworking, metalwork, and leatherworking.

Price: Euro 575,-