1719 Description de la Ville d’ALexandrie et des Antiquities Remarquables qu’on y voit.

This decorative map of Alexandria is from Chatelain's monumental Atlas Historique. Published in seven volumes, it was one of the most famous and prolific works of the early 18th century. Chatelain was interested in historical monuments and often depicted them in his maps. This fascinating view of Alexandria depicts a number of important monuments, some of which are extant, in situ, today. Given the Romans’ and then later Western Europeans’ determination to enhance their cities’ skylines with ancient Egyptian monuments, it is remarkable that any of these sites are recognizable, let alone intact.    The large panoramic view of the city includes Pompey’s Pillar. Built in ancient Corinthian style, it rises from the ruins of the ancient Greek Serapeum which was Alexandria’s ancient Greek necropolis. The pillar is a rarity in antiquity as it is a solid shaft of red granite rather than a constructed shaft of stacked drums. Its name is misleading as it was erected to honour Roman emperor Diocl