Simon Joseph Léon Emmanuel, Marquis de Laborde (1807-1869) was a French archaeologist and politician. At the age of twenty he accompanied his father on a journey throughout most of Southern Europe and Asia Minor, drawing monuments of the East with exceptional talent. Laborde continued on to Egypt and Arabia (1828) and remained a traveller throughout his life, residing in various countries of Europe for long periods.

Laborde was secretary of the French embassy in Rome, alongside Chateaubriand. However, in 1845 he gave up his diplomatic career and dedicated himself to writing historical and literary works, while remaining in charge of the antiquities in the Musée de Louvre. He published accounts of his travels in Arabia (1830) and Asia Minor (1838 -1862), as well as a study on the history of engraving. He embarked on writing ambitious works on the monuments and the libraries of Paris, but was unable to bring them to term. He also collaborated with reputable journals of the time. In this important two-volume edition, information, descriptions and drawings by early travellers (A. Thevet, Τ.Η. Arundel, J. Carrey, P. Babin, J. Spon, A.G. Guillet, V.M. Coronelli "et alii"), as well as unpublished material, were used for the first time as a source for research on the antiquities of the city. Laborde's book remains one of the most important studies on Athenian monuments.

Written by Ioli Vingopoulou

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  Title page. Coin from Athens.

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  Copy of anonymous description of Athens, from 15th-century manuscript. Seven pages numbered 29-32. First page.

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  Copy of anonymous description of Athens, from a 15th-century manuscript. Seven pages numbered 29-32. Second page.

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  Copy of anonymous description of Athens, from a 15th-century manuscript. Seven pages numbered 29-32. Third page.

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  Copy of anonymous description of Athens, from a 15th-century manuscript. Seven pages numbered 29-32. Fourth page.

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  Copy of anonymous description of Athens, from a 15th-century manuscript. Seven pages numbered 29-32. Fifth page.

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  Copy of anonymous description of Athens, from a 15th-century manuscript. Seven pages numbered 29-32. Sixth page.

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  Copy of anonymous description of Athens, from a 15th-century manuscript. Seven pages numbered 29-32. Seventh page.

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  Tomb of archaeologist Otfried Müller in Kolonnos. The Acropolis in the background.

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  In-text drawing of the walls of Athens, inscribed “Athene nuc Setines”. Athens in 1466, from Cristoforo Buondelmonti's manuscript.

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  Map of Central Greece, Euboea, the Peloponnese and the Ionian islands from the world map by Fra Mauro, c. 1460.

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  Architectural features of several ancient monuments in Greece, among which the Parthenon and Hadrian's Arch, from manuscript by Francesco Giamberti.

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  View of Athens resembling a German town, from a 15th century manuscript.

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  View of Athens resembling a German town, from an illustration to the Nurnberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel.

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  View of Athens from the Atlas by Palnese, 16th century.

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  Map of Athens drawn by the French Capuchin monks in Athens around 1670.

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  The western pediment of the Parthenon according to Jacob Spon (17th century).

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  The western pediment of the Parthenon according to George Wheler (17 century).

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  The western pediment of the Parthenon according to D'Ottieres, c. 1685.

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  Drawing of the eastern pediment of the Parthenon by Jacques Carrey, 1674.

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  View of Athens published by Jacob Spon.

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  Map of the ancient and modern city of Athens according to the drawing of the Capuchin monks, as published by Guillet. 17th century.

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  Title page. Coin from Athens.

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  Fragments of antiquities, to the south of the Parthenon.

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  Map of the city of Athens according to Jacob Spon.

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  Map of the city of Athens according to George Wheler.

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  Map of the city of Athens according to George Wheler.

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  Map of Piraeus in 1685.

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  Map of Athens from an edition by Vincenzo Maria Coronelli, 1686.

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  View of the Acropolis at the moment of the 1687 bombardment, by engineer captain Verneda.

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  View of Athens from the northeast at the moment of the bombardment of the Parthenon by the Venetian army in 1687. Drawing by engineer captain Verneda.

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  View of the Acropolis from the south by engineer captain Verneda.

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  Map of Athens, by engineer captain Verneda, 1687.

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  Map of Athens by engineer captain Verneda, 1687.

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  Head of Nike from the western pediment of the Parthenon, detached from the monument by Morosini's orders and later transported to Venice.

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  The lion of Piraeus.

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  Stamping of part of an inscrption on the Lion of Piraeus.

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  The western pediment of the Parthenon. Drawing by Jacques Carrey.

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  Head of Nike from the western pediment of the Parthenon.

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  Detail from the Parthenon frieze.