Hamburg, Christian Heroldus, 1750-52. Fol. (40x26,5 cm.). Bound in 2 fine contemp. full calf. Richly gilt backs divided in 7 compartments by raised bands. Title-and tomelabels in leather. A few scratches to covers, one corner a bit bumped. A small stamp on titles. 2 fine engraved portraits (A. Fabricius and Reimar), one half-page engraved vignette. (2),XXX,767,(1)"(4),(769-)1709 pp. Printed on good paper, clean and fine. Greek-Latin text in double-columns.
Dio Cassius' Roman History from the beginnings to 229 A.D., took ten years to prepare and 12 years to write. It is annalistic in arrangement, although modified to meet requirements of subject-matter, concentrating on political aspects (he was himself praetor and consul suffectus), in the manner of Thucydides, giving a rhetorical narrative in Attic style. (Based on Oxford Classical Dict.).A beautifully printed work, ""One of the most splendid and truly critical editions (the offered item) which were ever published in Germany. It was begun by the famous Fabricius, whose notes extend from the 35th to the 60th book. On the death of that great man, Reimar, his son-in-law, completed the edition" and in respect to editorial care, diligence, and correctness, and the acquisition of valuable materials for the compilation of it, nothing can exceed the present most admirable performance. All the former publications on Dion Cassious were carefully inspected some excellent MSS. and fragments were procured and collected".. Harwood calls this admirable work ""one of the most correct and valuable Greek books ever published: the notes contain a treasure of erudition""."" (Dibdin I:506). - Graesse II: p. 393. - Brunet II: p. 712: ""Edit. la plus belle, la plus complète et le meilleure que l'on ait dans ce format.""