Chacon, Alfonso or Ciaccone, Alfonso.

Historia utriusque belli dacici a Traiano Caesare gesti.

      1576 or 1616, Rome - This description is compiled from sources found on the internet in 2009. Chacon's suite of engravings of Trajan's column constitutes one of the greatest and most ambitious illustrated books of the Renaissance. The plates for the engravings are the work of Raphael and his pupils Giulio Romano and Giovanni Polydoro, or The text was written by the Spanish archaeologist Alfonso Ciacon; the engravings were made by Francesco Villamena who followed in part previous engravings made by Giulio Romano, Raphael's foremost pupil. Trajan's column was erected in 114 to commemorate his victories against the Dacians and has a spiral band containing over 200 meters of bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the campaigns. Its high quality as well as its prominent location at the focal point of Trajan's Forum made it one of the best known ancient monuments in Rome. In addition to 130 plates reproducing the scenes from the column, Chacon has included in this publication two fold-out engravings of the entire column with interior and exterior views and floor plans. Their was accompanying explanatory text, in a much smaller format, which is missing from this volume, as is the title page, two folding plates and plates 1,2 and 3. Sold as an attributable collection of plates. Leather covered boards (both are off). 127 (of 130) engravings. As is, with defects noted. Plates are sporadic in their condition, some being fairly fresh, and others exhibiting soiling and or foxing. [Attributes: Hard Cover]