Ancient Classics: 1830 Livy, Herodotus, Thucydides, Livy, Caesar, ANTIQUE BOOKS

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A set of ancient classics all translated into English and published in the early 1830s in London.

To include works by Julius Caesar, Sallustius, Livy, Xenophon, Tacitus, Thucydides, and Herodotus.

Julius Caesar's commentaries, 1832, William Duncan translation.

Crispus Sallustius, 1832, William Rose (bound in with the Caesar volume)

Livy's History of Rome, 1830, George Baker translation in 2 volumes.

Xenophon's complete works, 1832, Ashley Cooper translation (et. al.)

Tacitus complete works, 1830, Arthur Murphy

Thucydides' Peloponnesian War, 1832, William Smith translation

Herodotus Histories, 1830, William Beloe translation.

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Julius Caesar was a renowned Roman general, statesman, and author. His most famous work is Commentarii de Bello Gallico (Commentaries on the Gallic War), a first-hand account of his military campaigns in Gaul (modern-day France and Belgium). The work provides valuable insights into the political and military strategies of Caesar, as well as the customs and cultures of the Gauls.

Livy, also known as Titus Livius, was a Roman historian who wrote Ab Urbe Condita (From the Founding of the City), a monumental history of Rome spanning its mythical origins to his own time. Livy's work narrates Rome's rise to power, its legendary figures, and its struggles with external threats and internal conflicts. Although not always historically accurate, his storytelling style and moralistic interpretations greatly influenced subsequent historians.

Xenophon, an ancient Greek historian and philosopher, is best known for his work Anabasis. It chronicles the expedition of Cyrus the Younger, a Persian prince, and the subsequent retreat of the Ten Thousand Greek mercenaries. Anabasis provides a vivid account of military campaigns, political intrigues, and cultural encounters, while also offering insights into leadership and the ideals of Greek society.

Tacitus, a Roman historian of the 1st century, is recognised for his works Annals and Histories. Annals covers the reigns of the emperors Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero, focusing on political intrigues, corruption, and the decline of the Roman Republic. Histories describes the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD) and its aftermath. Tacitus' works reflect his concerns about the loss of liberty, the abuse of power, and the moral decay of Rome.

Thucydides, an ancient Greek historian and general, wrote The History of the Peloponnesian War, an account of the conflict between Athens and Sparta during the 5th century BC. Thucydides' work is regarded as a masterpiece of historical analysis, emphasizing the role of power, human nature, and political motivations in shaping events. His methodology of gathering evidence and presenting multiple perspectives laid the foundations for modern historical inquiry.

Herodotus, often referred to as the 'Father of History', was an ancient Greek historian who wrote The Histories. This extensive work explores the Greco-Persian Wars and includes a wide range of historical, cultural, and geographical information. Herodotus weaves together legends, anecdotes, and eyewitness accounts, creating a narrative that blends fact and myth. His approach to history influenced subsequent historians and shaped the concept of Western historiography.

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Condition: Very Good (VG+)

Some minor rubbing to spines with the leather slightly, and not significantly, dry. Would thus benefit from the application of a leather conditioner. All tooled morocco labels present to spines and show very attractively on the shelf with an engraved design in compartments between slightly raised bands. Bindings are very firm and strong with all boards securely attached. Some very minor shelf wear, corners are without deformation and in atypically excellent condition for the age. Boards with some very minor discolouration and very minor rubbing but, again, very good overall. All volumes with the exception of the Julius Caesar volume have an attached bookplate to the front pastedown. The Caesar volume has the residue of a removed bookplate to the front pastedown but not necessarily obtrusive. The books are internally in excellent condition with very clean text blocks and largely without any foxing though with mild toning as commensurate with their age. Most volumes have tissue guards for the frontispieces with some having ink transfer across to the title page but this doesn't obscure the legibility of the text.

Internally excellent and externally not far behind. A wonderful set of the works of some of the most famous ancient classics.