Ammiani Marcellini Rerum Gestarum Qui de XXXI. supersunt, Libri XVIII. Ope MSS. codicum emendati ab Henrico Valesio, et auctoribus Adnotationibus illustrati. Necnon Excerpta vetera de Gestis Constantini et Regum Italiae. [...]. Paris: Antonii Dezallier, 1681, folio.
Ammianus Marcellinus' Rerum Gestarum, of which eighteen books out of thirty-one survive, corrected with the help of manuscript codices by Henri Valois and illustrated with learned annotations. Also including ancient excerpts on the deeds of Constantine and the kings of Italy. [...]. Paris: Antoine Dezallier, 1681, folio.
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This work is the last great surviving historical account from the Roman Empire before the medieval chroniclers. It discusses military campaigns, political intrigues, and the collapse of Roman authority in the West. The original work was written to cover the history of Rome from 96 AD through to 378 AD. However, as it mentions on the title page, only books 14-31 survive which focusses mostly on the years 353-378 AD. Consequently, Ammianus is the most important primary source for this period of the late Roman Empire, particularly concerning the reigns of Constantius II, Julian the Apostate, Jovian, and Valens. It is a critical source for the understanding of the fall of the Roman Empire and the political and military events of the 4th century AD.
This is a beautiful copy, probably the best obtainable example, bound in a fine contemporary panelled calf binding in the Cambridge manner, indicative of early English ownership, possibly having been acquired on an aristocratic grand tour, but without any ownership inscriptions to substantiate this speculation.
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Size: 227 x 350 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(1), a4, ē4, i4, o4, ♰4, ♰♰4, ♰♰♰4, ♰♰♰♰4, ♰♰♰♰♰1, A-Z4, Aa-Zz4, Aaa-Zzz4, AAaa-QQqq4, a-k4, l-p2, ¶4, ¶¶4]
Collated as complete. ¶¶4 is a blank. Contemporary full calf in the Cambridge panelled manner, likely English in nature. Very finely rebacked such that it is difficult to notice, retaining the majority of the original backstrip. Binding slightly rubbed, but generally in excellent condition. Some scratches to boards. Both boards are securely attached, the binding is secure, and stands without shelf lean. Some finely executed restoration to corners and edges of boards. No attached bookplates or ownership inscriptions, some older pencil inscriptions from a previous bookseller to front pastedown. Mildly toned through the text block, else generally exceptionally clean throughout. An excellent copy, collated as complete.
