Alexandria Gallery

A New Map of the Roman Empire, from A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World, pub

BAL42841 A New Map of the Roman Empire, from A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World, pub. by Bassett & Chiswell, 1676 (hand coloured plate engraving) by Speed, John (1552-1629); O'Shea Gallery, London, UK; (add.info.: Inscription reads A New Mappe of the Romane Empire, newly described by John Speede, and are to be sold by Tho. Bassett in Fleet Street, & Ric Chiswell in St Pauls Churchyard; The atlas was originally printed by George Humble in 1627, but Bassett & Chiswell published their own edition in 1676;); English, out of copyright

© Copyright: www.bridgemanimages.com

Panoramic map of Mediterranean by G. H. Davis

A new centre of world alarm during the Second World War: a panoramic map of the Mediterranean, showing the principal bases. The framework of strategy in the Mediterranean: Gibraltar, Toulon, Naples, Malta and Alexandria -- names that have figured in so many wars in the past -- are again being discussed all over the world. This map also shows new key points, such as Rhodes, Izmit and Haifa.
1940

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Pharos lighthouse, Ptolemaic Egypt

Pharos lighthouse. Historical artwork showing what the Pharos lighthouse at Alexandria, Egypt, in the third century BC, might have looked like. The lighthouse, also known as the Pharos of Ptolemy, was designed by Sostratus of Cnidus, and built in the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy Philadelphus between 285 and 247 BC. It was built from white marble, and fires were used at night, and mirrors in the day, to direct ships into the bay of Alexandria. Its height was between 115 and 135 metres, one of the tallest man-made objects of the time, and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was destroyed by several earthquakes in the 14th century. Artwork from The Picture Magazine (volume 111, London, 1894)

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY