1712 Wells Map of Ancient Macedonia and the Balkans (Thrace)

This is a beautiful 1712 map of ancient Thrace or Northern Greece and Bulgaria. Essentially divided into two panels, the top panel depicts from north eastern Greece, with parts of Macedonia and Thrace, to Bulgaria and the Black Sea. The lower map features north western Greece, including Thessalia and parts of Macedonia, to southern Albania. It notes towns, cities, rivers, mountains, islands and other topographical features. The map identifies a host of important cities and towns and uses ancient names throughout.

Following the Battle of Corinth in 146 BC, the Greek peninsula came under Roman rule. The period from 31 BC and AD 180 in Greek history is described as the era of the Pax Romana. This was a period of peace and security when many Greek cities flourished, leading to cultural and economic progress. The classical period in Greek history, which lasted from the 5th century B.C. through the 4th century B.C. greatly influenced the Roman Empire's politics, art, architecture, philosophy and literature. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Greece became the center of the Eastern Roman or Byzantium Empire.

A decorative cartouche appears on the top left quadrant of the map featuring the coat of arms of the Duke of Gloucester. This, like many other Wells maps, is dedicated to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and son of Queen Anne, who, when this map was being prepared, was a student at Oxford. Engraved by Sutton Nicholls and published by T. Bonwicke for the 1712 edition of Edward Wells' Atlas, A New Sett of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography.