Cairus, quae olim Babylon, Aegypti Maxima urbs

This striking bird's-eye view of Cairo and the surrounding countryside includes depictions of the pyramids and the Sphinx. Several people are depicted in the foreground including a cavalry engaged in exercises, travelers on the roads, veiled women and a man picking dates. Boats and crocodiles fill the Nile River. A legend describing the view is enclosed in a strapwork cartouche at bottom right. The text above the view of the pyramids reflects the disdain with which the non-Christian nations were viewed at the time. "These pyramids were nothing but an idle display of royal wealth. In this way the kings, or rather the crowned beasts, namely hoped to make their names immortal on earth and to keep their memory alive for a long time. Nothing in the world is of less fame, however, since neither the architect nor the insane king who built a pyramid is recorded." This is one of the few views of cities outside of Europe that were included in the Civitates. Latin text on verso.

Reference: Fussel pp.131-32