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Description

Rare map of Tuscany, showing Roman Roads and place names from the period of the Roman Empire.

First engraved by Peter van der Keere,  this remarkable map of ancient Tuscany appeared in Jansson's "Accuratissima orbis antiqui delineatio." Published between 1652 and 1684, this atlas presented a comprehensive and detailed view of the ancient world.

Jan Jansson was among the foremost cartographers of this period, known for his meticulous and accurate maps. Jansson's "Accuratissima orbis antiqui delineatio" was a testament to the interest during this era in ancient history. 

Jansson's map of ancient Tuscany, or "Etruria" as it was known in antiquity, presents a detailed and carefully-rendered portrayal of the region. It encompasses present-day Tuscany, as well as parts of Lazio and Umbria in Italy. The map displays key topographical features, such as the Apennine Mountains and the Arno River, which played a crucial role in the development of the region's ancient settlements.

The map also highlights numerous cities and towns of ancient Etruria, including the Etruscan city-states of Tarquinia, Chiusi, and Volterra, which were thriving centers of culture and trade. Moreover, it features important Roman settlements such as Florentia (modern-day Florence) and Pisae (Pisa), demonstrating the region's strategic significance within the Roman Empire.

The map  offers valuable insights into the region's rich history, spanning from the Etruscan civilization to the height of the Roman Empire. The Etruscans, who inhabited the area from the 9th to the 2nd century BCE, were renowned for their art, architecture, and metallurgy. Their city-states were eventually conquered by the Romans, who incorporated the region into their vast empire. 

Condition Description
Old color. Minor soiling in the top margin.
Jan Jansson Biography

Jan Janssonius (also known as Johann or Jan Jansson or Janszoon) (1588-1664) was a renowned geographer and publisher of the seventeenth century, when the Dutch dominated map publishing in Europe. Born in Arnhem, Jan was first exposed to the trade via his father, who was also a bookseller and publisher. In 1612, Jan married the daughter of Jodocus Hondius, who was also a prominent mapmaker and seller. Jonssonius’ first maps date from 1616.

In the 1630s, Janssonius worked with his brother-in-law, Henricus Hondius. Their most successful venture was to reissue the Mercator-Hondius atlas. Jodocus Hondius had acquired the plates to the Mercator atlas, first published in 1595, and added 36 additional maps. After Hondius died in 1612, Henricus took over publication; Janssonius joined the venture in 1633. Eventually, the atlas was renamed the Atlas Novus and then the Atlas Major, by which time it had expanded to eleven volumes. Janssonius is also well known for his volume of English county maps, published in 1646.

Janssonius died in Amsterdam in 1664. His son-in-law, Johannes van Waesbergen, took over his business. Eventually, many of Janssonius’ plates were sold to Gerard Valck and Pieter Schenk, who added their names and continued to reissue the maps.