1660-Polybius-Roman History
Hyginus Gromaticus and Polybius Megalopolitanus. R.H.S(cholius)., editor. Hygini Gromatici, et Polybii Megalopolitani, De Castris Romanis, Quae exstant. Cum notis & animadversionibus, quibus accedunt dissertationes aliquot de re eadem militari populi Romani, R.H.S. A fine addition to a Roman History collector’s library.
Polybius:Amsterdam: 4to. Judocum Pluymer, 1660. [4], [2, frontspiece, title page] a-f4, g3, *-**4, ***2, a-b4, c1, ( )-( )4, A-L4, M3, N-Vv4, Xx3. [2] Full old vellum, inked period hand writing on spine. Blue and red speckled edges. Very light browning, mostly around edges, and very little foxing. Frontispiece has crop to the date. Page 128 labeled as 128, other copies have misprint here. Text in Latin. Engraved frontispiece, printer’s device on title page. Three fold-out engraving, two additional single page engravings, engraved initials, head and tail pieces.
Polybius (ca.200-post 118 B.C.), the great historian of Rome’s rise to world power - especially through the Punic Wars - was a Greek of Megalopolis who with 1,000 other emminent Achaeans was deported to Rome for political investigations. While at Rome, he became friend and mentor to Scipio Aemilianus, probably accompanying the latter to Spain and Africa, and crossing the Alps into Italy while on the trail of Hannibal. As his concept of history prized the historian’s acquaintance with the scene of historical events and personal political experience, there is good reason to believe that the excerpts presented in the present volume are for the most part first hand accounts. The first work offered here has been falsely attributed to a Hyginus Gromaticus, a surveyer flourishing under the reign of Trajan, but the author appears to be a third century man in reality. The work itself, a handbook on castramentation, tends to be more theoretical than practical. Schweiger I, 466.Spaulding and Karpinski 199 (with incorrect date of 1690). Engravings are clean and well preserved as is the overall condition of the book. The book back is broken and leaves are becoming loose as several are now. A repair of the sewing is recommended as the binding is in near perfect condition and well age toned.
$725.00
