A scarce thematic map of the history of the countries of the Roman Empire

A fascinating chart of European history presented as a circular map with 'rivers' radiating out from two maps of Europe in the centre. The upper half of the map has a map of Europe marked with the Roman names of the countries of the Empire. Surrounding it is a sea with six islands, representing Greece & Turkey, Spain, Germany & Switzerland, Italy, France and Britain. The tributaries of the rivers are marked with the subdivisions of the countries. The outer border lists some of the important cities and regions of Europe. The map of Europe in the lower half has the contemporary divisions, although still named in Latin, with the sea and rivers overlaid with concentric circles representing each century. The same six islands are in a sea that extends out to the Fall of the Roman Empire, after which the rivers and their tributaries combine and divide according to the development of each country. The outer ring is filled with a multitude of armorials, although only the six most important are completed. This is an example of the first state. The second state of 1721 has the added inscription 'Barth. Joseph Tasniere sculp. Taurini 1718', six of the city names in the top half of the map replaced by prospects, and a more decorative border.