1878 Adams' Illustrated Panorama of History
DESCRIPTION
The Adams SynChronological Chart or Map of History is an extraordinary visual timeline created by Sebastian C. Adams and first published in Salem, Oregon, in 1871. The example shown here is an expanded Third edition that extends the chronology to 1878, published by Sonebridge & Co. Lithography out of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Measuring over twenty feet in length when fully unfolded, this ambitious chart presents a sweeping overview of world history from biblical creation to the late nineteenth century. Rarely surviving in good condition due to its large size and heavy use in educational and religious settings, complete copies such as this one are quite scarce.
Early History and Biblical Foundations
The chart begins with the biblical account of creation, featuring Adam, Eve, and their descendants. Early patriarchs such as Seth, Methuselah, and Noah are depicted alongside vivid illustrations of Genesis events, including the Tower of Babel and the Flood. The layout traces genealogical lines through colored bands, allowing viewers to see lifespans and overlapping generations at a glance. Illustrations of Stone Age and Iron Age tools, artifacts from Switzerland and Denmark, and depictions of the earliest navigators and agricultural practices are integrated to link biblical chronology with archaeological and ethnographic discoveries then exciting the Victorian world.
Classical Antiquity and the Ancient World
As the chart moves into the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world, it highlights civilizations such as Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and Greece. Costumes, monuments, and rulers are illustrated in detail, from Egyptian sphinxes and pyramids to the grandeur of Greek philosophers and Roman statesmen. Figures such as Herodotus, Thucydides, Livy, and Tacitus appear in portraits as “eminent historians,” underscoring Adams’ attempt to synthesize biblical, classical, and secular accounts into one continuous narrative. Notable events such as David and Goliath, the building of Solomon’s Temple, and the reign of Nebuchadnezzar stand side by side with Homer, Socrates, and Alexander the Great, visually reinforcing the synchronicity of biblical and secular timelines.
The Christian Era and Medieval World
The central event of the chart is the crucifixion of Christ, vividly illustrated and positioned as the turning point of world history. From there, the Roman Empire dominates, represented with architectural achievements such as the Colosseum, triumphal arches, and aqueducts. The chart continues through the fall of Rome, the rise of Byzantium, and the spread of Christianity, marked by church councils and the building of great cathedrals. Medieval Europe is portrayed through knights, castles, and battles, while Islamic expansion and the Saracens are depicted alongside dynasties in China and India, creating a truly global panorama. Later panels show the rise of nations such as France, Germany, and England, as well as significant events including the Crusades, the invention of gunpowder, and the voyages of discovery.
Modern History and the United States
As the timeline reaches the Renaissance and Enlightenment, attention is given to the scientific revolution, exploration, and colonial expansion. Portraits of reformers, inventors, and thinkers line the panels, from Copernicus to Columbus. The American Revolution, the formation of the United States, and portraits of U.S. presidents appear prominently, affirming the chart’s national context. In the edition extending to 1878, the timeline encompasses the American Civil War and Reconstruction, situating America’s history firmly within the broader narrative of world events. Vivid illustrations of steamships, railroads, and industrial progress reflect the nineteenth century’s spirit of innovation and expansion.
About Sebastian Adams and the Influence of the Era.
Sebastian C. Adams, a minister and educator in Oregon, compiled the SynChronological Chart of History as both a teaching aid and a moral guide. Published in the decades following the American Civil War, the chart reflects the nineteenth century’s fascination with progress, order, and providential design. Its blending of biblical and secular history speaks to the strong influence of Christian worldview in American education of the time, while its incorporation of archaeology and ethnology demonstrates an eagerness to integrate modern discoveries into traditional chronologies.
A note from the Adams reads as follows...
Third Edition and Twelfth-thousand and carefully and critically revised and brought down to 1878., It is fondly hoped, that all friends of education and knowledge , will duly appreciate the years of toil and study, spent in arranging, from the fragmentary and disconnected records of the worlds history, this instructive and beautiful panorama. Its plan is simple, its utility obvious, and its value, as you estimate knowledge.
Today, Adams’ chart remains an important artifact of nineteenth-century historical thought, both for its striking design and for the way it encapsulates the worldview of its era.
CONDITION
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