Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. In the preface, valturio dedicated the book to sigismondo pandolfo malatesta. A god, said vegetius, inspired the legion, but for myself, i find that a god inspired vegetius. Laing in the usa, 1972and his message to the smartphoneobsessed 21st century. Portraying the military decadence of the late roman empire, it is a plea for army reform. One hundred ninetyfive fullpage woodcuts including the titlepage title signed pvm, one block signed ms and two signed hk one dated 1511. Apud christianum wechelum, sub insigni scuti basiliensis, parisiis, 1532 mense iulio 172.
According to sander, this edition contains an original set of woodblocks which appear here for the first time. Glasgow incunabula project update 41111 university. There is an illegible signature of a previous owner, dated 1832, on a flyleaf. Eighteenth century italian stiff vellum, manuscript title on. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. Valturius was an assistant to sigismondo malatesta, the famous feudal ruler of the italian citystate of rimini. Rare books military books more rare books from roger middleton click for full size. The use of signature marks to aid in assembly of the. Valturio s famous illustrated military treatise e una grande selezione di libri, arte e. Some of the later extant manuscripts appear to have been copied from the.
Numerous initials in various sizes supplied in red and blue. Roberto valturio was a 15 thcentury italian engineer known solely for his treatise on military history. Chapter headings neatly calligraphed in a contemporary hand in margins chiefly in early signatures. Although he did not yet read latin, consulting valturios book helped him. In leonardo da vincis list of books roberto valturio has been mentioned. The strong price demonstrates the vigor of the antiquarian market, as rare and important material continues to climb in value. His twelve books on warfare and military technique, however, concentrate on ancient and medieval weapons and strategies, which were still common in the 15th century.
While most of the techniques described were innovations of the roman empire, they were still essential to medieval and renaissance warfare. Machines of war and peace leonardos library spotlight at. Roberto valturio, a native of rimini, after having been apostolic secretary in. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book without typos from the publisher. Warfare being a common pastime of these petty tyrants, valturius produced this book which is. An index to the early printed books in the british museum from the invention of printing to the year md, with notes of those in the bodleian library. We thank the authors and publishers for their permission in republishing this material. Byzantine and syriac texts as well as source books illustrating a particular period or theme. Roberto valturio 14051475 was an italian engineer and writer born in rimini. We are pleased to offer this list of full text of books and articles about medieval military history. Bound in late 17thcentury vellum over boards, spine with raised bands, title neatly stenciled in gothic letters on spine. The woodcuts illustrate the equipment necessary for the military and naval engineer. Its construction, history and management, with a treatise on the balista and catapult of the ancients. The collection is arranged by country and within each are sections containing items on the military and.