"Candia olim Creta", Jansson, Jan

This wonderful map of the island is geographically identical to that of Joan Blaeu's map. However, Jansson has changed the cartouche configuration at top and added decorative features including figures flanking both the title and distance scale cartouches and ships sailing the seas. Crete was strategically important in the Eastern Mediterranean as it controlled the maritime routes and access to the Adriatic Sea. It is also the birthplace of Zeus, father of the gods in Greek mythology, and the site of many legends. The mythological Labyrinth where the Minotaur was confined is located near the center of the map. Latin text on verso.

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Condition: A