Plan De L'isthme Du Mont Athos Levé sur les Lieux en 1791 (Map Of The Xerxes Canal Of The Athos Peninsula Surveyed on Site in 1791)

Description

This map, titled "Plan de l'Isthme du Mont Athos Levé sur les Lieux en 1791," was prepared in 1791 based on measurements and observations made directly on site. The phrase "levé sur les lieux" in the title indicates that the map was produced using direct measurements on the ground and, therefore, was prepared in accordance with the scientific cartographic principles of the time. The map provides a detailed representation of the isthmus (isthme) of Mount Athos, the narrow strip of land connecting the Mount Athos Peninsula (present-day Mount Athos) to the mainland. The "Sigitique Sinus" (Sigitic Gulf) (Monte Santo Bay) is located on the left of the map, and the "Strimonique Sinus" (Strimon Bay) (present-day Orfanos Bay) is on the right. Ancient roads, fortifications, historical structures, towers, ruins, road connections, waterways, and observation points are marked in detail on the isthmus between these two gulfs. First and foremost, in terms of historical context, the main striking element on the map is the location of the canal dug by the Persian Emperor Xerxes in 480 BC, marked on the map as the "Canal de Xerxès." During his campaign in Greece, Xerxes, in order to prevent his fleet from being caught in a storm while rounding Cape Athos, had a canal dug approximately 2 kilometers long to provide maritime transportation across this narrow isthmus. According to Herodotus's accounts, this canal, dug by tens of thousands of workers, was an engineering project of rare antiquity. The map carefully delineates the canal between the two banks, and the ruins on the east and west banks are labeled "Vestiges du Canal de Xerxès." Furthermore, the "Ruines de la ville de Sane," or the ruins of the ancient city of Sane, located at the bottom of the map, are a direct archaeological reference to the region's ancient past. Sane was an important city founded by Greek colonists from Andros in the 7th century BC and was in a strategic position, especially as a transit and transportation point in the classical period. This city was later named Uranopolis (Sky City) and was associated with cosmological imagery, particularly during the Hellenistic period. The name of this settlement is also written on the map as "URANOPOLIS" with the notation "ancienne appellée" (former name). Four ancient coin engravings on the right side of the map illustrate the symbolic values of historical coins recovered from the region and the insignia of the city-states of the period. Geographically, the map depicts elevations, coastlines, sea depths, and terrain slopes, all rendered remarkably well using contemporary engraving techniques. Furthermore, the routes of ancient roads are detailed according to the terrain. Details related to local production, particularly waterways and arable land (vignes = vineyards), are also noted. Elements such as the "moulin à l'eau ruiné" (ruined watermill) provide insight into the region's economic and agricultural history.