Appiani Alexandri Ni Sophi-stae 1551

Appian of Alexandria is the author of a vast Roman History in 24 books which went from the origins to the time of Trajan. Much of this work is lost. The Roman history of Appian survived, intact, until the end of the 9th century, the Patriarch of Constantinople PHOTIUS still possessed a complete copy. But when it reappeared in the West in the 15th century, the work was seriously damaged, with more than half disappearing. However, it interested Pope Nicholas V who entrusted his secretary Pier Candido Decembrio with the task of translating it into Latin in the 1470s. Appian was read and appreciated by qualified readers: Corneille and Racine drew from his work the material for " Rodogune" and "Mithridates", Montesquieu referred to Appien those who would like to learn "about the horrors of the war of Marius and Sulla". Marx read Appian and cites him in capital. Complete copy in Latin, 1092 pp.(1), 8 x 12.5cm, gilded edges Very clean interior without water or foxing, binding strongly faded.