Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Map" to "Mars" / Volume 17, Slice 6

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

42638

Title

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Map" to "Mars" / Volume 17, Slice 6

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume of the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica serves as a comprehensive alphabetical reference covering geography, history, biography, and mythology. It offers concise, authoritative entries on diverse subjects, from the technical classification of maps to the Roman god Mars, providing readers with essential knowledge across arts, sciences, and general information.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume 17, Slice 6 of the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, offers a comprehensive survey of knowledge spanning cartography, classical history, geography, and the arts. The volume opens with a detailed examination of maps and charts, distinguishing between topographical, chorographical, and special-purpose representations. It explores the evolution of cartography, including the technicalities of scale, projections, and the use of conventional signs to depict the earth's surface. The text further classifies maps into physical, political, ethnological, and historical categories, noting the challenges cartographers face in compiling accurate data from diverse sources. Transitioning from geography to specific entries, the volume profiles notable figures and places. It highlights Jacob Maris, a Dutch painter celebrated for his atmospheric landscapes of Holland, capturing the ethereal effects of mist and light. The Russian Maritime Province is described in detail, covering its vast geography from the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific, its harsh climate, rich fauna, and strategic importance. Historical analysis continues with entries on Gaius Marius, the renowned Roman general who reshaped the legions, and the Roman god Mars. The cult of Mars is analyzed as a deity of both war and agriculture, central to Roman state religion and the protection of crops and herds. Other entries include the actress Mlle Mars, the port of Mariupol, and maritime law concepts like *mare clausum*. The collection also features biographical sketches of individuals such as Frederick Marryat, a versatile naval novelist whose works bridged the gap between earlier fiction and the Victorian era, and Marius of Avenches, a chronicler and bishop. The volume maintains a factual, concise, and richly detailed tone, reflecting the encyclopedia's mission to provide general information on arts, sciences, literature, and history. By covering such a wide array of subjects—from the technicalities of map-making to the theological nuances of Roman deities—the text serves as a microcosm of the era's intellectual breadth, offering readers a reliable resource for understanding the world of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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Categories

• Encyclopedias and dictionaries