Quinti Curtii Rufi Historiarum Libri de Vita et expeditioner Alexandri Magni. Trajecti ad Rhenum ex Officina Gisberti Zylii 1666.
The History of Alexander the Great by Quintus Curtius Rufus. Printed in the Netherlands in 1666.
Often books printed in the year 1666 are collected just for their printing in this year for it being a famous historical year, particularly with the Great Fire of London, and its apparent connection to the occult.
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Because the first two books of the ten-book Historia Alexandri Magni are lost, little is known about its author, Quintus Curtius Rufus. No introductory biographical information of the author survives within the text. Large gaps also exist in the remaining eight books, which cover the life of Alexander the Great from 333 BC until his death and its aftermath in 323 BCE.
The author may have been Quintus Curtius Rufus, a politician born at the end of the first century, BC, who served as a senator, suffect consul, and eventually proconsul of Africa, where he died in the late 50s, AD. Some scholars suggest that Historia Alexandri Magni was written by a rhetorician named Quintus Curtius Rufus, or that the author was a relative of one or both of these men. Just as the identity of the author is uncertain, the time period in which he wrote is a source of debate. Historia Alexandri Magni was probably written during the time of Claudius (41-54 AD) or Vespasian (69-79), though possible dates have ranged from the time of Augustus (27 BC-14 AD) to the fourth century AD.
Historia Alexandri Magni is "the only known Latin historiographical monograph" on Alexander the Great. Each book consists of a series of episodes that emphasise larger themes of kingship, power, and fortune. Though readers in the Middle Ages admired Historia for its style and moral tone, twentieth century classicists have criticised the author’s style and methodology. Some consider his characterisation of Alexander inconsistent, alternately portraying him "as a good man corrupted by success and fortune," and "as a man who was vicious by nature." Others accuse the author of being a careless and sensational writer, and call Historia a work of historical fiction. Most recently, however, his reputation as a serious historiographer has been rehabilitated.
This example of Rufus' history on Alexander the Great is a fantastic one, bound in full vellum in what is almost certainly its original binding, printed in one of the most famous years of history, complete with a stunningly beautiful engraved title page executed during the Dutch Golden Age.
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Size: 8 x 14.5 x 3 cm (approx.)
Condition:
Lacks a blank at the front else collates as complete according to the Stanford University copy in 449pp numbered with a further 30pp unnumbered. Some discolouration to the spine and a red sticker applied to the bottom. This sticker has had no attempt at removal. This could be done by the prospective buyer, probably with relative ease, though no guarantee is made to this end. 'Quint Curtii Historia' in an early hand written to the top of the spine. Boards with some minor discolouration and very light wear but generally remain very good. Joints are secure with both boards securely attached and the binding strong and without shelf lean. Slight bumps to the bottom corners. Several ownership inscriptions to the front pastedown, one dated to the 13th January 1753 and another repeated inscription dated to 1921 in England. This book was therefore presumably brought over to England either during or after the Grand Tour. Title page has been backed on to a contemporary leaf, though expertly executed. Small edge tear affecting pp.ii-iv. Very early ownership inscription of George Somerville to pp.1. Very attractive plate to verso of pp.94 present as called for. Text block generally without foxing or stains and in excellent order, very mildly toned. Though some very light dampstaining affects the foot of pp.410 through to the final leaf, not affecting the legibility of any text.
An excellent example.
