1585 De Re Militari Libri Quatuor.First Plantin edition. Printer's device on title page, woodcut diagram of a roman encampment on folded leaf, and 51 woodcuts in the text (machinery, battlements, weapons, etc.) Plantin Vegetius, 1585. Magnificent edition of the classic by Vegetius, the fourth-century Roman military writer of whose personal life little is known, but whose book DE RE MILITARI has been constantly reprinted and translated into every modern language, has proved to be a primary source of our knowledge of Roman warfare. It contains 5 books: the first is on Recruits and Recruitment; the second, on the organization of the Legions (the Roman infantry); the third, treats of the operations of an army in the middle of a campaign; the fourth, on attacking and defending fortifications; and the fifth, on naval tactics. This edition, printed by the famous Plantin press, with their printer's device on the title page, was edited by the scholar Godescalcus Stewechius and is one of the earliest editions to contain a commentary on Vegetius, along with a discussion of the editor's sources. Equally important to the edition, however, are the woodcut illustrations, which have contributed greatly to a general picture of the Roman army. Size: 8 1/2" x 6 3/8".~~ . Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at info@sofedesignauctions.com. 752.