Guillaume-Antoine Olivier (1756-1814) was a French naturalist, botanist and entomologist. He studied medicine at Monpellier but was more inclined towards natural sciences. Olivier practiced as a physician in his native city without much zeal. Soon he turned to the natural sciences which interested him more, and was sent on an expedition to collect insects in the Netherlands, Britain and elsewhere. He wrote entries on insects and spiders in the “Encyclopédie Méthodique”, and important articles on coleoptera in a multi-volume specialized encyclopedia.

At the age of thirty-six Olivier set out as member of an expedition financed by the French state (1792-1799), in the company of M. Bruguiére. They travelled to Istanbul, the Aegean islands, Crete, Egypt, Syria and Mesopotamia all the way to Persia. During his travels, thanks to his knowledge and scientific experience Olivier was able to acquire a vast collection, which is now housed in the Museum of Natural History in Paris. He was also member of the Academy of Sciences and taught zoology at the Veterinary school.

In the six-volume account of his voyage to the East, Olivier classifies information on geography, production, commerce, agriculture and geology, medicine, culture and laws of the lands he visited, as well as on “economic and political arts”, with diligence and austerity, abstaining from anecdotes. Olivier's appraisal of ethnic groups reflect the liberal ideas of the time. The “Atlas” is comprised almost exclusively of maps and tables on natural history. Only two of them concern mores and culture.

Written by Ioli Vingopoulou

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  Oak branch of the species Quercus Libani (Lebanon oak), from Syria.

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  Shells of crustaceans discovered by Olivier in various places: Lake Mareotis in Egypt (1), Egypt (2), Orontes river (3), outskirts of Beirut (4A, 4B), outskirts of Alexandria (5a, 5b), outskirts of Sanliurfa, modern-day Turkey (8A, 8B), Alexandria (9A,9B), outskirts of Beirut (10A, 10B).

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  Im. 2: River crab from Egypt and Syria. River crab of the species Potamon potamios, from Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia.

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  Woman from Cairo and woman from Aleppo, both in formal dress.

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  Im. 1: (1 (Α, B, C, D, E): Shrew bones found in the Ibis burials at Saqqara catacombs, Egypt. Im. 2: Bone of rat from same burial. Im. 3 A, B: Butterfly of the Belenois Aurota species, from the coast of Syria. Im. 4 A, B: Butterfly of the Colotis fausta species from the coast of Syria. Im. 5 A, B: Leaden tablet bearing inscription in Greek, from Beirut. Im. 6, 7: Amulets in cylindrical shape made of red jasper (6) and serpentine (7) bought by Olivier in Sanliurfa.

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  Map of Syria, Mesopotamia and part of Persia.

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  Portrait of Shah Mohammad Ali Han of Persia (1760-1779).

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  Poplar tree of the species Populus euphratica whose foliage varies greatly among subspecies. For this reason, Olivier showed three examples of Populus euphratica leaves in his work.

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  Map of Asia Minor.

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  Branch of almond tree of the species Prunus arabica, from the Arabian desert.

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  Plant of the Astragalus gummifer species, from which tragacanth gum is extracted. (a) Flower of same plant. (b): Leaf of same plant.

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  Im. 1: Lizard of the Agamidae species found near Isfahan. 2: Scorpion from Kahan: Claws (aa), jaws (bb),(cc), eyes (dd). Im. 3,4,5,6: Arthropods of the galeodes species. Depiction of the jaws (a).

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  Branch of rose tree of the species Rosa Persica, on which are shown the successive stages of the plants' blossoming. (a): Petal, with purple-coloured part designated.

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  Soft-shell turtle of the species Rafetus euphraticus, killed by Olivier during his crossing of the Euphrates. 1: Upper part of the body 2: Lower part of the body.

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  Im. 1: Capital found near Mount Behistun in Persia, possibly representing king Khosrau. 2: Reliefs of Mithridates II of Parthia and Gotarzes II from Behistun. 3: Reliefs framing the inscription of Darius I the Great (Behistun inscription) at Mount Behistun.

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  Portait of Karim Han, of Persia.

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  Women from Persia, one in city dress, the other in dance costume.

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  Portrait of Nadir-Schah of Persia (1698 -1747).

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  Man from Persia in summer dress. Kurdish man bearing shield and club.

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  Lizards from Egypt and Mesopotamia. 1: Bridled skink from Egypt (trachylepis vittata/ scincus vittatus). 2: Agama of the species Trapellus agilis or Agama agilis, outskirts of Baghdad. 3: Agama of the species Trapelus ruderatus / Agama ruderata, outskirts of Baghdad.

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  Im. 1: Rodent of the genus Gerbillus gerbillus from Egypt, natural size. A: Snout B: Front leg C: Hind leg. Im. 2: Mole of the genus Talpa, most possibly of the species Talpa caeca, blind or mediterranean mole. As the animal's eyes are covered by folds of skin in contrast to the European mole (Talpa europea), Olivier claimed that this was the real mole (“aspalax” ) spoken of by Aristotle. D: Front of the head.

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  Women from Baghdad, one in everyday dress, the other in formal costume.

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  Map of Tyre.

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  Map of Partheni port on Leros, together with part of Archangelos islet.

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  Map of the port of Leros with the forest and the settlement of Agia Marina.

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  Map of Alexandria coastline, from Marabou to Abu Qir.

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  Map of Lower Egypt.

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  Oak of the species Quercus infectoria or similar, from whose galls ink and vegetal dye are made. Image depicts two types of galls which grow on the tree as well as the two subspecies of wasp of the Cynipidae species, which cause the galls to grow on this tree.

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  Oak of the species Quercus infectoria or similar, from whose galls ink and vegetal dye are made. Image depicts two types of galls which grow on the tree as well as the two subspecies of wasp of the Cynipidae species which cause the galls to grow on this tree.

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  Branch, leaves and acorn of oak of the species Quercus aegylops.

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  Branch, leaves and acorn of oak of the species Quercus aegylops.

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  Ottoman cemetery. Women offering libation.

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  Map of Troad with the course of Karamenderes (Scamander) river, shown on the map as Simoïs river.

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  Map of the Dardanelles (Çanakkale boğazı).

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  Map of Butrint (Buthrotum) area.

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  Reliefs from the monument of Taq-e Bostan on the ouskirts of Kermanshah in Persia. Im. 1, 2: The king hunting deer and boars. 3: The coronation of shah Khosrau II, with the gigantic figure of the king mounted on his horse at the centre of the composition. 4: The coronation of Shapur III, with the king and his father, Shapur II.

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  Im. 2 A, B: Snake of the species Eryx jaculus, subspecies Eryx jaculus turcica from Polyaigos island, Cyclades. Im. 1: Skink of the species Chalcides ocellatus.

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  Map of Athens with its walls, showing the sites of ancient monuments.

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  Poplar tree of the species Populus euphratica whose foliage varies greatly among subspecies. For this reason, Olivier showed three examples of Populus euphratica leaves in his work.

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  Dance on the west bank of the Nile. On the foreground, two French travellers. The governors of the small vessels are smoking and drinking coffee while sitting on the ground, as are doing two dervishes and their servants farther away. According to Olivier's description, the scene depicts Egyptians dancing a war dance and a more sensual dance.

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  Map of Sidon.

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  Shells of snails in natural size (a), magnified (b): from Istanbul area (1a, 1b), Crete (2,3,4,5,6,7), Chios (8,9, 11) and Kios.

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  Women from Kimolos.

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  Women from Chios.

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  Map of the bay of Souda in Crete.

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  Map of Santorini.

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  Map of Milos, Kimolos and Polyaigos islands.

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  Map of Moudania bay with the town of Gemlik.

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  Map of Bosphorus area.

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  Map of Greece with the Aegean islands, and of Asia Minor.

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  Title page.