Essay on the Battle of Plataea for the Travels of Anacharsis.
1784 (dated) 10 x 15 in (25.4 x 38.1 cm)
This is a fascinating 1784 color map showing the Battle of Plataea by Barbie du Bocage. The battle of Plataea occurred in 479 BC and was the last battle in the second Persian invasion of Greece. It took place near the city of Plataea in Boeotia, and was fought between an alliance of the Greek city-states, including Sparta, Athens, Corinth and Megara, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I. The map features Mount Cithaeron, where the tide of the battle turned. Shows the motions of the army during the battle. It also notes the camp of Madonius, the Temple of Ceres, Road to Thespiae, Temple of Apollo, and other important landmarks. Includes a key in the bottom right quadrant. Prepared by M. Barbie de Bocage in 1786 to illustrate the Travels of Anarcharsis.
Jean Denis Barbie du Bocage (1760 - 1825) and his son Jean-Guillaume Barbie du Bocage (1795 - 1848) were French cartographers and cosmographers active in Paris during late 18th and early 19th centuries. The elder Barbie du Bocage, Jean Denis, was trained as a cartographer and engraver in the workshops of mapmaking legend J. B. B. d'Anville. At some point Jean Denis held the post of Royal Librarian of France and it was through is associations with d'Anville that the d'Anville collection of nearly 9000 maps was acquired by French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The younger Barbie du Bocage, Jean-Guillaume, acquired a position shortly afterwards at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, in time, became its head, with the title of Geographe du Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres.
Very good condition.