1650 Gad, turma populabitur cum, sedipse populabitur akuis tabtkem
By: Thomas Fuller
Date: 1650 (Published) London
Dimensions: 11 x 13 inches (28 x 33 cm)
This map of the Holy Land is one of a series from the monumental opus of Thomas Fuller, an atlas entitled Pisgah-Sight of Palestine and the confines thereof, with the History of the Old and New Testament acted thereon. The atlas was published in English and is often referred to as the first true Biblical atlas. Pisgah refers to Mount Pisgah, the mountain in the Bible from which Moses saw the Promised Land for the first time.
This fascinating, engraved double-page map features the lands of Gad, the seventh son of Jacob, patriarch of the Israelites. The Tribe of Gad was known for the bravery of its men, fearless warriors who defended the Israelites from outside forces. The Sea of Galilee is featured in the upper left, with both the Jordan River and the Iabok tributary clearly depicted. A large forested area lies to the southeast of the Sea. Several groups of armed forces are shown, along with people running in various directions.
Numerous miniature vignettes in the map depict scenes based on biblical accounts. A battle scene is featured near the centre of the map depicting the capture of Ramoth-Gilead by the King of Aram, Ben Hadad I. The scene includes chariots, cavalry and foot soldiers in great numbers. Other vignettes show in minute detail such events as the murder of Absalom and the site of his grave, which was covered with large stones. King David waits at the city gates of Mahanaim for word of his son Absalom. The sepulchre of Saul is shown between the cities of Succoth and Jabeth-Gilead.
The map is embellished with the elaborate coat of arms of Hugo Windham, one of Fuller’s patrons, along with a dedication to Windham. Additional embellishments include a legend scale featuring two cherubim, and a small decorative title cartouche in which is enclosed a flag with a lion, referring to Gad’s lion-like bravery and ferocity.
Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) was an English historian, clergyman, and writer who produced many works in addition to his Biblical atlas entitled Pisgah-Sight of Palestine and the confines thereof, with the History of the Old and New Testament acted thereon, including The Church -History of Britain (1655) and Worthies of England (1662).
His works are known for their use of original sources and antiquarian information. The Church-History of Britain included the first detailed account of the decades before the civil wars. Worthies of England was the first biographical dictionary in English and included a catalog of the notable features of every county in England.
Fuller was a prolific author and one of the first English writers to earn a living from his writing. He was a chaplain to the Royalist army during the fighting, and later became a friend of Izaak Walton, another leading biographer.
Condition: This map is in B+ condition. Dark toning around the edges does not impact the image. Minor printer’s wrinkles in places very slightly enter the image.
Inventory #12938
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