The Roman History, from the Building of Rome to the Ruin of the Commonwealth.

HOOKE, Nathaniel.

Published by London: Printed by James Bettenham for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, 1738-71

About this Item

First editions of Hooke's "radical and subversive interpretation of Roman history as class conflict" (Marsden, p. 52). Originally intended as a revised translation of previous French scholarship, in the event he presented an original argument that the demise of the Republic was the fault of the aristocracy. Hooke died immediately before the publication of the third volume, and the Scottish historian Gilbert Stuart completed the work. ESTC T71736, T71733, T71734, T71735. J. A. Marsden, Ancient History in British Universities and Public Life, 1715-1810, unpublished PhD thesis, University of Oxford, 2016. 4 vols, quarto (253 x 193 mm). Frontispieces, 19 plates (2 folding), 18 folding maps, title pages printed in red and black. Contemporary calf, renewed red labels, double gilt fillets framing compartments and boards, red sprinkled edges. Bookplates of Henry Uthwat (1728-1757), of Great Linford, Bucks, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, with annotations, the latter excised from top corner of first blanks. Bindings worn, joints cracked but bands holding, light worming to vol. IV, occasional blemish to contents, loss to corner of one vol. IV map. A good set.

Seller Inventory # 192251

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Roman History, from the Building of Rome to the Ruin of the Commonwealth.
• Publisher: London: Printed by James Bettenham for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, 1738-71
• Edition: 1st Edition