Rare Books Exhibition

Translations of the Greek and Latin Classics

July - August - 1996

The new Exhibition in the Rare Books area, on the first floor of the ISB wing of the Main Library, shows about 60 examples of early translation of the Greek and Latin classics. They are mainly from the 17th and 18th century, but there are also examples of modern private press works, and a unique item, an album of watercolours done by an architect on his tour of Italy in 1852-3.

On the screens we can see reproductions of some of these sketches. The books have been chosen both for the importance of the translations, and for the attractiveness of the illustrations.

Among the works on display we find Dryden's Virgil and Pope's Homer, the lavishly illustrated edition of Duncan's Caesar, as well as early editions of Ovid's Metamorphosis, the satires of Horace and Juvenal, the works of Cicero, and an 18th century edition of Petronius's Satyricon.

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>> Exhibition catalogues are available, free of charge, from the Rare Books information desk or via email

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