Galliae narbonesis descriptio. / Descriptio Provinciae. 122

Title

Galliae narbonesis descriptio. / Descriptio Provinciae. 122

Description

The map shows Languedoc and part of Provence in France, featuring a title cartouche, a mileage indicator, a sailing ship and two sea monsters. The reverse side bears a Latin text.

ca. 1650

Artist

Anonymus

Historical Description

Languedoc is a historical region in the south of France along the Mediterranean Sea. In the Middle Ages, Languedoc was a culturally and economically important area with wealthy cities such as Montpellier and Toulouse. The region was also a center of the religious movement of the Cathars. In the 13th century, the Catholic Church, together with the French king, launched the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars. After this war, the region lost its political independence and became more strongly integrated into the French kingdom. In the following centuries, Languedoc developed into an important agricultural area, especially for wine production. The region also became important for trade routes between the Mediterranean and the interior of France.