1657 Lucian Annaeus Florus. Elzevir, Lugd. Batav. (Leiden)

Long a staple of teaching Roman history, here are four works (in one printing/binding) attributed to Lucius Annaeus Florus; and, per the title page and chapter headings, newly discovered manuscript passages were added to this printing by Claudius Salmasius. This copy in a beautiful heraldic French red morocco leather binding. Printed by the venerable Elzevir publishing family.

About the Florus' Works -

The two books of the Epitome of Roman History were written in admiration of the Roman people. The books illuminate many historical events in a favorable tone for the Roman citizens. The book is mainly based on Livy's enormous Ab Urbe Condita Libri. It consists of a brief sketch of the history of Rome from the foundation of the city to the closing of the Gates of Janus by Augustus in 25 BC. The work, which is called Epitome de T. Livio Bellorum omnium annorum DCC Libri duo, is written in a bombastic and rhetorical style – a panegyric of the greatness of Rome, the life of which is divided into the periods of infancy, youth and manhood.

According to Edward Forster, Florus' history is largely politically unbiased, except when discussing the civil wars where he favours Caesar over Pompey. The first book of the Epitome of Roman History is mainly about the establishment and growth of Rome. The second is mainly about the decline of Rome and its changing morals.

Florus has taken some criticism on his writing due to inaccuracies found chronologically and geographically in his stories, but even so, the Epitome of Roman History was vastly popular during the late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, as well as being used as a school book until the 19th century. In the manuscripts, the writer is variously named as Julius Florus, Lucius Anneus Florus, or simply Annaeus Florus. From certain similarities of style, he has been identified as Publius Annius Florus, poet, rhetorician and friend of Hadrian.

Contents Page Roughly Translated -

The four books of L. Annaei Flori's Rerum Romanarum Epitome of Roman history; or the subjects of the books of Titus Livius

Chronological selections for Florus; which show the coherence of the things mentioned by him with those of other times

A little book on the context of various readings

Lucius additional memorial booklet; containing the most learned chapters of the principal histories, not before published

About the Binding -

The roll that frames the boards was a popular tool for French binderies. Giles Barber's Waddeson Collection showed similar tools being used by binderies such as Derome (see Tool List 15, Roll 60 for a nearly matching example from a book with the ticket of Derome). This dates the binding to the later part of the 1700s.

About the Provenance -

The bees on the binding may allude to the Napoleonic era, but it's likely the binding was executed earlier than that. I have not been able to identify the arms.

The bookplate of Archibald Freer was likely that of the Chicago doctor, and husband of the American composer Eleanor Everest Freer.

Physical Attributes -

Book measures approx. 13.5 x 8 x 2.7 cm. Signed in 12. Red morocco, binding tooled in gilt. Spine tooled with six compartments; title compartment is blank (did the label fall off?), other compartments with a central capon surrounded by stars, fleur-de-lis and leaves. Boards with central heraldic stamp, framed by a roll alternating baskets, bees, leaves and crowns, with corner bees. All edges gilt.

Pages - viii, 336, [16]

Collation - *4, A-O12, P8

Condition -

See pictures. Binding with some edge, joint and corner wear. Some minor loss/fading of gilt. Top edge of text block darkened. Bookplate on pastedown, but edge have been lifted to see under; older library inscriptions stating bibiolgraphy "Willems 803" written. Endpapers ghosted with oiled turn-ins. Toned, with some occasional fox spots throughout. Occasional thumb, and candle ember spot. Upper corner chip to page 249/250, no text affected.