While campaigning in Gaul, the Roman statesman Julius Caesar undertook a huge propaganda campaign to increase his popularity back in Rome. Using a clear, concise form of Latin, in his De Bello Gallico (on the Gallic War) Caesar wrote down accounts of the campaign, notably his major victory against Vercingetorix at the battle of Alasia. On his return to Italy, Caesar started a civil war with his rival Pompey the Great and wrote a further account of the events leading up to the conflict (De Bello Civili), accusing Pompey of jealousy and attempting to undermine the Roman system.

Caesar’s Commentaries were frequently published in Agostino Ortica’s Italian translation. The arms and initials on this binding are those of Jerónimo Ruiz, resident in Rome in the 1560s.

Binding information

Bound in brown sheepskin, gold-tooled; edges gilt and gauffered.