The Commentaries of Caesar, Translated into English. To Which is Prefixed a Discourse Concerning The Roman Art of War.

[CAESAR, Julius]. William Duncan.

$15,000.00

Item Number: 99425

London: Printed for J. and R. Tonson, et al, 1753.

First edition of Duncan’s famous translation of Caesar’s Commentaries, sumptuously illustrated with frontispiece portrait of Caesar, six double-page maps, and 78 splendid plans and plates (most double-page). This copy with the famed double-page bull plate, often not present. Thick folio, contemporary full brown calf rebacked with elaborately gilt-decorated calf spine, raised bands. In very good condition. Period bookplate to the front pastedown and front free endpaper.

“Beautifully printed, and richly adorned with a variety of fine cuts… the greatest part of them being plans of battles, sieges, and incampments, or representations of the situation and face of the countries in which the most material transactions passed… The translator has in a great measure caught the spirit of his author, and… has preserved Caesar’s turn of phrase and expression” (Brueggemann, 520-21). Includes both Caesar’s commentaries on the Gallic wars and the civil wars. Additionally includes A. Hirtius Pansa’s commentaries on the Alexandrian, African, and Spanish wars. Brueggemann, 520-21. Moss, 241-42. ESTC T136453.