"Hortus seu Vinea Illmae. Familia Ciantes ad Radices Montis Testacei Roma Cryptis Aeolys celebris", Kircher, Athanasius

This small, dramatic view portrays a part of ancient Rome with the Tiber River in the foreground and St. Stefano Rotunda at upper left. This is from Kircher's masterpiece, an immense and amazing work covering all aspects of anything that dwelled or occurred within the earth's interior - from dragons, to fossils, to mountain springs, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Kircher's work was the first serious effort to describe the physical makeup of the earth, proposing theories (sometimes fantastic) in the areas of physics, geography, geology, and chemistry. He suggested the existence of a vast network of underground springs and reservoirs, as well as the theory that subterranean temperatures increase directly in proportion to depth. Printed on a full sheet of Dutch text (10.7 x 17"). Published in a Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World by Johann Waesberger.

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Condition: A

Nice, dark impression. A little light foxing in margins and text, not affecting the view.