Végèce - Institutions Militaires - 1759

VEGECE. — INSTITUTIONS MILITAIRES DE VEGECE (PARIS, VEUVE DAVID JEUNER, 1759). Paris: Veuve David Jeune, 1759. In-12. Full contemporary calf binding, spine with gold-ornamented raised bands. Priced edition from the Enlightenment century of the most famous treatise on ancient Roman military art. Written in the Late Empire to restore the power of the Roman army, Vegetius’ manual has across the centuries stood as the theoretical bible of war leaders. In the 18th century, amid the reorganization of the royal armies during the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), the reprinting of the Military Institutions met the need to train young officers of the nobility in the timeless principles of command, fortification, and military discipline. The copy is enriched with a very interesting military provenance mark from the era of the "Chevalier de Fabert, regiment of Touraine" on the title page. Fine copy preserved in its period full blond calf binding. The spine with raised bands is particularly well preserved with neat gilding and floral spandrels well struck on the compartments. Light wear at the corners and edges, binding very solid. Interior in fine condition on laid paper with the period manuscript provenance mark of an officer of the Touraine regiment. Illustrated with folding battlefield plans. The book from which comes one of the world’s most famous quotes: “Si vis pacem, para bellum”! It is precisely in the prologue of Book III of this work that Vegetius formulates the legendary maxim: “Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum” (He who desires peace should prepare for war).

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