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An Illustrated Step by Step Guide to Using the Perseus Atlas
The Layout of the Default Map
Step 1: Zooming In
Step 2: Adding Topographical Features
Step 3: Let's Plot Some Sites
Step 4: Even More Topographical Features
Step 5: A Few More Sites
Step 6: Using the Navigation Arrows
Step 7: Enhanced Site Links
Atlas FAQ
The Layout of the Default Map
Here's a schematic of the layout of the atlas:
The layout:
The current map, which is also the default in this case, includes all of modern Europe (except Iceland) and parts of Africa and Asia. You'll see that upon startup, the Reference Map, in the lower left corner of the screen, is identical to the current map. Surrounding the current map are eight navigation arrows. Since the atlas does not extend beyond the limits you see in the current startup map, the navigation arrows do not work on the default map. They will be discussed below. Below the current map is the scale.
On the left side of the screen are the tools needed to change the default map and move around. First, are the Map Navigation lists, consisting of a pop-up list for zooming in and zooming out, and a pop-up list for the zoom factor for entering the zoom factor (2x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x, or 10x).
Below the Map Navigation lists are two lists and three buttons. The Topographic Features list offers options for adding layers of topographic information to the current map. As you zoom in further, more options will be available. The Sites and Placenames list displays all of the sites known to the Perseus Atlas which may be displayed on the current map. As you zoom in further, this list will shrink since a smaller area will include fewer Perseus sites. Underneath this list are three buttons: Refresh Map, Clear Map, and New Map. Click Refresh Map when you wish to add selected new features and/or sites to the map; click Clear Map when you wish to remove all features and/or sites from the current map; click New Map when you want to start over with the default map.
Step 1: Zooming In
In this example, we are going to plot the location of Pompeii. To begin, let's zoom in on Italy. First, go to the Map Controls and make certain the pop-up list reads Zoom In (this is the default setting). Then, select 10x in the pop-up list beside it.
Now, click once on the Italian pennisula, circled in the image below.
Wait patiently for the map to load . . .
Step 2: Adding Topographical Features
Now, your map will look something like this:
Let's add some Topographical Features. Select Water Bodies and Perennial Rivers from the list. To select more than one item, while clicking, hold down the Shift or Control or Apple Key (depending on your operating system). Then, click Refresh Map.
Wait patiently for the map to load . . .
Now your map will look like this:
Step 3: Let's Plot Some Sites
We will next plot some sites. First, let's look at all of the sites this map offers. With the topographical features we used above still highlighted, go to the Sites and Placenames list and select the first item, Plot All Sites. Click Refresh Map.
This time, you may have to be more patient . . .
You'll note that not all site labels appear. This is because when the site labels overlap with others, none will appear.
You'll also see a new feature in the map tools area, a pop-up list with the option of Select a Site. We'll discuss this feature in Step 7 below.
So now we have too many points, and we still haven't plotted Pompeii. Let's clear the map: click Clear Map.
Your map should be back to basic green.
This time, we'll try something less ambitious and plot Pompeii. In the Sites and Placenames list, scroll down and select Pompeii. Select Pompeii and click Refresh Map.
Your map will have Pompeii:
Now that we've plotted Pompeii, let's zoom in a little closer. Following the steps mentioned above, zoom in by a factor of 5 on Pompeii. This time, you'll be clicking on the site.
Step 4: Even More Topographical Features
You may notice that the Topographical Features list has grown because we have a smaller scale map. So, we'll add some new features. Select Contour Lines and Spot Elevations from the list, following the instructions in Step 2, make sure Pompeii is still selected from the site list, and click Refresh Map.
Step 5: A Few More Sites
Now, add a couple of additional sites to the map: Beneventum and Sperlonga, following the instructions in step 3. Your map will look like this:
Step 6: Using the Navigation Arrows
Start a new map, by clicking New Map under the Map Controls at the upper left hand corner. Let's use the Navigation Arrows to get around Greece. Zoom in by a facor of 10 onto the Greek penninsula and plot Athens, Corinth, Eleusis, Olympia, and Sparta.
You'll notice that Eleusis and Athens do not have labels because of their proximity on the map at this scale. So, zoom in on Sparta by a factor of 5.
Now, to see Eleusis and Athens, let's tile to the northeast. Click the blue Navigation Arrow in the upper right hand corner.
To return a map like this:
Step 7: Enhanced Site Links
A number of sites listed as points in the Perseus Atlas are also links into other areas of the Perseus Digital Library. When you have plotted one (or more) such site(s), a new menu will appear in the map tools area. A pop-up list will appear with the option of selecting a site you have plotted. In the example map we are working on, this is what the list looks like:
If you select one of these sites, you will be taken to the Perseus lookup tool for more information on where this site appears in the Perseus Digital Library.
You've now used all of the basic features of the atlas! For more information, read the Atlas FAQ.