John Speed. Map of Greece. London, 1626.

John Speed (English, 1552–1629)
Map of Greece
London, 1626
Engraved map with original hand color
[Sheet size: 17 1/4 x 21 1/4 in.]

Published in 1626, John Speed’s Map of Greece stands as a rare example of the celebrated English cartographer’s foray beyond the British Isles, offering an early modern vision of the classical world that so captivated Renaissance scholars. Combining geographic information with decorative elements such as city views and classical figures, the map blends Speed’s signature aesthetic with a growing European fascination for ancient history and Mediterranean geography. It reflects both the revival of classical learning and England’s expanding interest in global and antiquarian knowledge, rendered with the precision and charm that made Speed’s works among the most prized maps of the 17th century.