This fabulous chart of the Black Sea was issued in the year of Bellin’s death. It was issued undoubtedly to accompany his ‘Hydrographie Francoise’ and is beautifully engraved. It was issued during the first phase of the Russian-Circassian war which lasted 101 years, and was divided into three chronological periods based on the military activities of the Russian occupation forces. The first period of the conflict was concerned with the invasion and subjugation of the region by Russia, and took place from 1763 onwards. The Russian motive revolved around its desire to control the Black Sea and its approaches. Shirley (2004) M.Com-3a no. 14.