Rome délivrée, ou La retraite de Gaius Martius Coriolanus. Avec son apologie.

2 parts in 1 vol., 4to: [52, front. incl.]-189-[3], 174 pp. (old scribbling on title's right margin, light damp stains to some upper margins, occ. foxing, stain on p. 179).

Contemp. limp vellum, flat spine.

First edition of the story of the Roman general Gaius Marcius Coriolanus, a semi-legendary figure who is said to have lived in the 5th century BC. He became famous for his great effort during the siege of the Volscian city Corioli leading to the Roman victory. He was later exiled from Rome, fleeing to the Volsci where he resided with the leader Attius Tullius Aufidius. Together they persuaded the Volscians to break the truce with Rome. They marched on Rome and besieged the city. Only the supplications of Coriolanus' mother, wife, sons and of the matrons of Rome could stop him maintaining the siege. By P.-A. Mascaron (d. 1647), lawyer to the Parliament of Aix-en-Provence. Pt. II contains his apology of Coriolanus. Illustrated with a frontispiece by François Chauveau.
Ref. Goldsmith (BL) 629. - Not in Barbier.
Prov. Count of Robersart (armorial bookpl.).