Sign In

- Or use -
Forgot Password Create Account
Description

A 1739 iteration of the often-adapted bird's-eye view of Constantinople from Thomas Salmon's Modern History. This version, influenced heavily by Cornelis de Bruyn's early version, extends a perspective on the iconic city with marked features such as Leander Tower, Scutari, and the Bosphorus strait.

This particular rendition, situated within the comprehensive framework of Salmon's Modern History, testifies to the critical geopolitical significance of Constantinople during the early 18th century. Known as the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Constantinople (now Istanbul) was a bustling nexus of trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange, elements of which are subtly encapsulated in the depicted landmarks.

Distinctive features such as the Leander Tower and Scutari create an illustrative narrative of the city's rich architectural and cultural history. Landmarks like Constantine's Palace and the Seven Towers stand testament to the city's Byzantine and Ottoman past, while geographical notations like the Bosphorus strait underscore the city's strategic importance.

Adding depth to this are features like the Seragtio of Scutari, St. Demitrius, The Arsenal, and the Magazine of Cannon, which emphasize the city's military architecture, alongside its spiritual and administrative structures. The Point of the Siraglio, referring to the famed Topkapi Palace complex, further encapsulates the political and royal significance of Constantinople during this period.

This bird's-eye view, through its careful delineation and choice of landmarks, offers more than a mere physical representation of the city; it captures the dynamic interplay of power, faith, culture, and geography in Constantinople, making it an invaluable resource for a nuanced understanding of this historic metropolis.

Condition Description
Faint stains at the right edge.