De Re Militari Romanorum – Claudius Salmasius – 1657 | Elzevir First Edition

De Re Militari Romanorum by Claudius Salmasius is a 1657 survey of of Roman military tradition, tactics, strategy, and formation. First published by Elzevir, this work was written from primary classical sources such as Livy and Polybius covering Roman command and infantry formation, as well as including some of the most iconic names of ancient military including Scipio Africanus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar. A distinctive feature of this book, not found in similar military treatises of this era, is the inclusion of illustrations of battlefield formation.

This example is notable for including a custom slipcase for the vellum-bound tome.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: De Re Militari Romanorum
• Author(s): Claudius Salmasius
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s):
• Publisher: Lugduni Batavorum, Apud Johannem Elsevirium, Academiae Typographum
• Edition: First Edition, 1657
• Format: (4to), single volume
• Binding: Full vellum, tight and secure
• Size:  9.25 in x 7.75 in (23.5 cm x 19.7 cm)
• Collation: [12], 243 pp
• Illustrations: Includes in-text sketches depicting troop movement and military formation
• Contents Include:
  • De Mutatione Artis Militaris Apud Romanos
  • Classical references to Polybius, Livy
  • Tactical notes on Caesar, Scipio, Pompey
  • Formation diagrams within main texts

Condition:

Very Good. Bound in full contemporary vellum, the boards are clean and firm with tight hinges. Internally, the pages are crisp and complete, with occasional mild foxing. The in-text military diagrams remain sharp and legible.

Why Collect This?

• First edition from the Elzevir press with complete text and formation illustrations
• Visual representation of Roman military practices

• Strong interest to collectors of Roman warfare, early modern military science, and Elzevir publications

Item Number: #29123