English: Electors of the Holy Roman Empire. inely engraved pair of images depicting a group of the Electors of the Holy Roman Empire. These plates were originally engraved by master engraver Antonie Wierix for Gerard de Jode’s atlas, Speculum Orbis Terrae, but later re-issued in Abraham Ortelius’ Parergon, the first historical atlas.

This engraving was first published in 1593 in de Jode’s atlas. The plate was later acquired by Vrients and, from 1603, was included in Ortelius's Theatrum and Parergon.

The engraving depicts the nobles who are entitled to choose Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. These plates show the highest-ranking officials at the top and the least powerful at the bottom. The emperor is centered at the top of the plate, seated on an elaborate throne, with seven officials surrounding him. On his right are three ecclesiastical electors, and on his right four lay dignitaries. These men are all depicted in long robes, carefully rendered to show the folds and drapes of the fabric. Each carries his own unique item, such as a key or a scroll.

The second rank consists of four dukes and four marquises. Below them stand eight provincial and military earls. The second plate also contains three rows of electors, with the first being four dignitaries and four soldiers (identifiable by their plumed helmets). The next row shows four freemen and four city representatives, while the bottom row portrays four farmers and four village representatives. Each man is dressed in ornate clothing appropriate to his station.

Each man has a shield with his coat of arms, which helps to identify him along with his name below. Of particular note is the Emperor’s coat of arms, the double-headed Imperial eagle, which was the symbol of the Holy Roman Empire. This eagle was likely derived from the ancient Roman aquila or eagle standard carried by Roman legions, making it a great expression of power.

It should be noted that the double-headed Imperial eagle only came into use in the fourteenth century (earlier coats of arms used a single-headed eagle). This indicates that although the text at the bottom of the plate discusses events from 974 AD, the Emperor and electors depicted are more contemporary to the plate’s creation in the 1500s.