Johann Abelin

ABELIN, JOHANN PHILIPP, an early 16^th-century German chronicler, was born, probably, at Strasburg, and died there between the years 1634 and 1637.  He wrote numerous histories over the pseudonyms of Philipp Arlanibaus, Abeleus and Johann Eudwighottfaed or Gotofredus, his earliest works of importance being his history of the German wars of Gustavus Adolphus, entitled Arma Suecica (pub. 1631-1634, in 12 parts), and the Inventarium Sueciae (1632)---both compilations from existing records.  His best known work is the Theatrum Europaeum, a series of chronicles of the chief events in the history of the world down to 1619.  He was himself responsible for the first two volumes.  It was continued by various writers and grew to twenty-one volumes (Frankf. 1633-1738).  The chief interest of the work is, however, its illustration by the beautiful copperplate engravings of Matthaus Meriah (1593-1650).  Abelin also wrote a history of the antipodes, Historia Antipodum (posthumously pub.  Frankf. 1655), and a history of India.

See G. Droysen, Arlanibaeus, Godofredus, Abelinus (Berlin, 1864); and notice in Allgemeine Deutsche Biographic.