Gallipolis

Title

Gallipolis

Description

Bird's eye view of the now historic old town of Gallipoli on an island off the mainland in the Apulia region. Above centre the coat of arms of the Habsburgs of Spain (Philip II) with the inscription IN OMNIA TECUM above it, below left the crowned cock, the coat of arms of the city of Gallipoli with the inscription NEC ANIMUS FATO MINOR above it. Furthermore, an index surrounded by a cartouche, a compass rose, sea monsters and many sailing ships around the old town.

ca. 1595

Artist

Braun/Hogenberg (1572-1618)

Frans Hogenberg (1535 – 1590) was a Flemish and German painter, engraver, and mapmaker. Hogenberg was born in Mechelen as the son of Nicolaas Hogenberg In 1568 he was banned from Antwerp by the Duke of Alva. He travelled to London, where he stayed a few years before emigrating to Cologne. He is known for portraits and topographical views as well as historical allegories. He also produced scenes of contemporary historical events. George Braun (1541-1622), a cleric of Cologne, was the principal editor of the "Civitates Orbis Terrarum". The first volume of the Civitates Orbis Terrarum was published in Cologne in 1572. The sixth and the final volume appeared in 1617. This great city atlas, edited by Georg Braun and largely engraved by Franz Hogenberg, eventually contained 546 prospects, bird-eye views and map views of cities from all over the world. Braun (1541-1622), a cleric of Cologne, was the principal editor of the work, and was greatly assisted in his project by the close, and continued interest of Abraham Ortelius, whose Theatrum Orbis Terrarum of 1570 was, as a systematic and comprehensive collection of maps of uniform style, the first true atlas.

Historical Description

The city was founded by Greek colonists as Kallipolis. The Greek name translated means "beautiful city". In 265 BC it allied with the neighboring Greek colony of Taras (Taranto) against the Romans. However, the resistance was broken. The conquerors declared the city a Roman municipium and stationed a garrison. The Romans named the city "Gallipoli".