Massilia / der werlt Blat LXI

Title

Massilia / der werlt Blat LXI

Description

A view of the city of Marseille, now the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhône department and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The reverse side features a total of five illustrations of philosophers and prophets.

ca. 1493

Artist

Schedel (1440-1515)

Hartmann Schedel (1440–1515) from Nuremberg is best known for the 1493 publication of the Schedel’s World Chronicle (Liber chronicarum), a universal history featuring 1,809 woodcuts—making it the most richly illustrated book of early printing. The chronicle, written in Latin by Schedel for merchants Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, was translated into German by Georg Alt and printed by Anton Koberger. The illustrations came from the workshop of Michael Wolgemut and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff. The work covers world history up to 1492/93, divided into eight ages of the world, and draws on numerous sources, including Jacobus Foresta and Enea Silvio Piccolomini. Notably, it features highly accurate city views, many depicted in detail for the first time. Pleydenwurff introduced a new perspective by portraying cities from a fixed viewpoint, emphasizing their unique architectural and landscape features. The project was funded in part by the patron Sebald Schreyer.

Historical Description

Today, Marseille is the second largest and oldest city in France. Marseille is the most important French and a major European port city on the Mediterranean. According to ancient legend, the city was founded when Greek sailors from Phocaea explored the Mediterranean coast. Greek sea traders from Phocaea in Asia Minor regularly visited the southern coast of France near the mouth of the Rhone in the 7th century BC to trade tin and bronze with the Ligurian tribes in return for pottery and jewelry. Sheltered landing places were rare on the rugged and rocky coast, so they headed for the natural harbor of today's Marseille, where the galleys were protected from wind and waves. According to Herodotus, immigrants from Phocaea arrived in the city again around 545 BC. They had fled after Harpagos, general of King Cyrus II of Persia, had conquered Phocaea. There were repeated conflicts with the Celtic tribes dominating Gaul and in 125 BC Massalia called on the troops of the Roman Empire for help against attacks by Gallic tribes. The city remained part of the Roman Empire until its end and gradually lost its Greek character. At the beginning of the 5th century AD, the Saint-Victor monastery was founded on the south bank of the Old Port, which was to be the residence of the bishops of Marseille from 750 to 960. The city was fought over several times and fell to different ruling empires. Marseille became an independent republic around 1218, but was incorporated into the French crown in 1481. In 1575, it was handed over to Henry III. In 1660, Louis XIV withdrew Marseille's liberties and the city became a normal maritime and trading town. The people of Marseille had always been proud and independent and were known throughout the country for their willingness to rebel against the authorities and the king. In 1792, the city sent 500 volunteer fighters to support the new government during the French Revolution. The song sung by the Marseille fighters in the streets of Paris became known as the Marseillaise. On July 14, 1795, the Marseillaise was declared the French national anthem.