Persia Sive Sophorum Regnum - Janssonius c.1630

Persia Sive Sophorum Regnum
Drawn/Published by: Johannes Janssonius (or Henricus Hondius)
Location: Amsterdam
Year: c. 1630–1650
Condition: Fine copperplate engraving with period hand-colouring; professionally matted

A Masterpiece of the Safavid Empire
This classic 17th-century map is one of the most iconic depictions of Persia (modern-day Iran) from the Dutch Golden Age. The title refers to the "Sophorum Regnum" (Kingdom of the Sufis), a common European term for the Safavid Dynasty which ruled the region at the time.

Cartographic Features and Curiosities

• The Caspian Sea: This map features the distinctive oval-shaped Caspian Sea (Mare Hyrcanum), a hallmark of Jansson’s and Hondius’ early 17th-century surveys before more accurate Russian charts became available.
• Geopolitics: It covers a vast area stretching from the Euphrates River in the west to the Indus River (Mogol Imperial Pars) in the east, capturing the heart of the Silk Road trade routes.
• Artistic Embellishments: The map is celebrated for its magnificent title cartouche flanked by Persian figures in traditional costume. A separate vignette in the lower right depicts a local archer and a surveying instrument, emphasizing the intersection of culture and science.