Plattegronden en gezicht op forten van Asso, Vólos, Zante en Negropont, 1726 1726

This anonymous engraving from 1726 depicts the plans and views of the fortresses of Asso, Volos, Zante, and Negropont. Consider the image of the city as a fortress. This motif, particularly prevalent here with the geometric cityscapes encircled by defensive walls, speaks volumes. The fortress as a symbol isn't merely architectural; it's deeply embedded in the collective psyche, reappearing across cultures. Think of the walled cities in medieval tapestries, the fortresses in Renaissance paintings, or even the fortified compounds in modern cinema. Each iteration reflects a primal human need for security and order. The lines and angles of the city walls, rendered with such precision, are not just structural; they are imbued with an almost mystical power, hinting at the enduring human quest to impose order on chaos. This image, thus, is not simply a map, but a testament to our perpetual dance between fear and control, freedom and confinement.