This birds-eye view of Damascus was first published in the ‘Civitates Orbis Terrarum’ which was compiled by George Braun (1541-1622) the Canon of Cologne Cathedral. Braun produced a total of over 500 city views and maps published in six parts between 1572 and 1617. Most of the engraving was the work of Simon Novellanus and Frans Hogenberg (1535-1590), many after drawings by George Hoefnagel although this one is unidentified. It was first published in the second volume first issued in 1575. This example was published by Jan Jansson in 1657. Jansson had acquired all of the Braun and Hogenberg plates around 1653 and issued them in the multi volume ‘Theatrum Urbium’. For this issue the original plate is shaved on the sides and above. The title cartouche is re-engraved and reworded. Koeman (1967-70) II B & H 2 no. 55 & Ja 15 no. 3.