An attractive large-scale map of the Peloponnese (Morea) peninsula in Greece. It depicts the mainland in the north connected via a narrow peninsula with the city of Athens in the upper right. The surrounding islands include Cephalonia, Zante (Zakinthos) and Cerigo (Kithira). Shows many details and names, also some notes with dates. Just prior to this the region was still a maritime possession of the Republic of Venice but in 1715 it was taken by the Ottoman Empire during the Ottoman-Venetian War of 1714-18). The whole is completed by an ornate title cartouche lower left featuring the Venetian Lion of Saint Mark fighting off the Turkish. In the background is the Campanile with the Basilica San Marco behind.

The map was published by Johann Baptist Homann (1664-1724) and is known without a privilege granted in 1715 but usually found like this example with the privilege granted in 1715. It has been identified in both the ‘Atlas Novus Terrarum’ and the later ‘Grosser Atlas. The famous German firm of cartographic publishers was founded by him in 1702 in Nuremberg. In 1707 he published the ‘Neuer Atlas’ whose success continued for many years. In recognition of this Homann was elected to the Berlin Academy of Sciences. In 1715 he was appointed Geographer to the Emperor, the same year in which he received a privilege. His successor was his son Johann Christoph Homann (1703-30) who died young. The business was continued as Homann Heirs by several heirs and through several generations until closed c.1852. Heinz (1997); Shirley (2004) T.Hom 1c no. 55; Zacharakis (1992) 1082.