1544 [HISTORIAE AUGUSTAE SCRIPTORES] Dion Cassius Nicaeus. Aelius Spartianus. Julius Capitolinus. Aelius Lampridius. Vulcatius Gallicanus (...).

11 [HISTORIAE AUGUSTAE SCRIPTORES] Dion Cassius Nicaeus. Aelius Spartianus. Julius Capitolinus. Aelius Lampridius. Vulcatius Gallicanus (...).

Paris, June 1, 1544, Robert Estienne, 3 k. +346 s. +51 s. +4 k.

Unique edition of a collection of the lives of the Roman emperors from Hadrian (117) to Numerian (284) from the famous outhouse of Robert Estienne. The text was compiled by Italian humanist and philologist Giovanni Battista Egnazio (1473-1553). Lives of the Roman Emperors composed as a continuation of the work of Svetonius at the end of the 4th century. Until the 19th century, this collection bearing the title "Historia Augusta" was attributed to many Authors (including Cassius Dion, Aelius Spartianus, Julius Capitolinus. etc. ). However, as a result of in-depth research (H. Dessau 1889), it was considered to be the work of a single anonymous author from the 4th century.In the same 1544. Robert Estienne published the second part of this work under a similar title Historiae Augustae Scriptores]. Trebellius Pollio. Flavius Vopiscus. Johannis Baptistae Egnatii Veneti in eosdem annotationes. Sex. Aurelius Victor. Pomponius Laetus. Ioh. Baptista Egnatius de principibus Romanorum." Only the latter piece is available on the antiquarian market at a price of 2,300 euros. On the title page a woodcut with an allegorical scene which is the publisher's logo with the motto "Altum sapere". No sold edition in BNF. Rare!

Binding, 17th century, full gilt leather with floral patterns on both covers in medium condition with some rubbing and minor losses, especially at the edges; spine embossed and gilt with geometric and floral patterns and inscription "Dion Casius"; interior in db condition, unblemished; occasional stains, but dry; handwritten ex-libris of 1650 on title page; overall db condition.