Galliae Veteris Typus by Abraham Ortelius. Ancient map of Gaul ( now France ) .

Galliae Veteris Typus by Abraham Ortelius is a historical map of ancient Gaul, originally published in 1584 as part of the Parergon, the classical supplement to his renowned atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. The map depicts the region corresponding to modern-day France and its surrounding territories as understood by Roman geographers, with Latin place names, tribal divisions, and key Roman roads. Drawing from classical sources like Caesar and Strabo, the map emphasizes scholarly reconstruction over contemporary geography. Executed in copperplate engraving and often hand-colored, it features decorative cartouches and mythological motifs that enhance its Renaissance aesthetic.

Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598) was a Flemish cartographer celebrated for compiling the first modern atlas, revolutionizing map publishing and standardizing geographic representation. His interest in antiquity led him to create the Parergon, a collection of maps illustrating the ancient world, often based on classical literature and historical texts. Ortelius combined scholarly rigor with visual artistry, making geography accessible to both academics and collectors.