JUSTINUS, J., A. PROBUS (= C. NEPOS), & VELLEIUS PATERCULUS.

Editions of considerable authority, according to Dibdin Trogi Pompei externae historiae in compendium ab Iustino redactae. Externorum imperatorum vitae. A emylio probo authore. P. Vellei Paterculi historiae Ro. duo volumina nuper reperta, diligentissimeque; excusa cum indice omnia quae digna sunt notatu copiosissimo.

      Florence, Philippo Giunta, 1525. - 8vo. Dark green morocco, spine gilt, comprising a gilt monogram, richly decorated gilt borders on sides, gilt inner dentelles, g.e. (BRADEL). Woodcut vignette on title and on verso last leaf. (2), 103 (=203), (15, 8), lf. 105 (=205) - 267, (1) lvs. Collected edition of three works by classical authors, Velleius Paterculus first published here in Italy. Both Justinus and Nepos are here in an edition of "considerable authority" (Dibdin), based on the 1522 Aldus edition, with corrections. Ad 1: In trogi Pompei historiam epitomen by Justinus. Justinus collected, as he writes in his preface, the most important and interesting passages from the Historiae Philippicae by Pompeius Trogus, a work which is now lost. In the 3rd century Justinus summarized this voluminous work of 44 books, and his epitome was extremely popular in the Middle Ages. Trogus's work originally concentrated on the rise and history of the Macedonian monarchy, but Justinus digressed and elaborated to the history of the Roman empire. The work was first published in 1470, Venice. Ad 2: De vita excellentium imperatorum by Cornelius Nepos. Until 1569 the Vita were attributed to Aemylius Probus, but it is now generally accepted that the author is Cornelius Nepos (99-24 B.C.). Nepos was well acquainted with Cicero, Pomponius Atticus and Catullus. The present work, together with two biographies on Cato and Atticus, is all that is left from his writings. Nepos is the first biographer known by name, and he was also the first biographer to compare the Romans with foreigners. The work was first published at Venice, in 1471. Ad 3: Historiae Romanae duo volumina ad M. Vinici, um cos. pro generum Tib. caesaris by Velleius Paterculus (19 B.C.-31 A.D.). The Historiae is one of the most important documents on the age of Augustus and Tiberius. Beatus Rhenanus discovered the manuscript in the Alsatian Convent of Murbach in 1515, and he published the work in collaboration with Froben in 1520. The manuscript, returned to the convent after publication, is lost ever since. Part I of the Historiae deals with the history from early times, the Orient and Greece, to the fall of Carthage and Corinth in 146 B.C. Part II treats the period 146 B.C.-30 A.D., especially emphasizing the period marked by the death of Caesar (44 B.C.) and the death of Augustus (14 A.D.). As Velleius writes on the history of more recent times, his work becomes more and more detailed, and focuses on the history of the Roman empire in stead of universal history. The work consists of some rather interesting portraits of famous Romans, modelled after the Annales by Tacitus. The biographical interest of the author is expanded upon with two excursuses on history, including the most famous passages from his work on Roman colonization, and three excursuses on literary topics. The excessive flattery of especially Tiberius can be considered a counterbalance for the diatribes against Tiberius of Tacitus and Suetonius. Renouard's copy, from the libraries of Heber and Abdy. Fine copy.- (Spine sl. discoloured; faint ms. owner's name on title). Adams J725 & P414; STC Italian, p. 683; Renouard suppl, p. XLIX no. 80; cf. Renouard, p. 96 no. 9; Dibdin II, p. 138. [Attributes: Hard Cover]