De Bello Punico Iibri Septendecim.

Silius Italicus.

De Bello Punico Iibri Septendecim.

Antwerp:

F. Asulanus, ed., Philippus Nutius, pub.,

1567

As one of the earlier texts in Colchester’s collection, this reflects his fascination with classical works and the conventional eighteenth-century English education he received at Christ Church, Oxford. Colchester had received the chancellor’s prize for his work in Latin verse at Oxford and this diminutive edition of the longest surviving poem on the Second Punic War reflects both a command of literature and a nuanced understanding of classical allusion and education. Indeed, many have noted the influence of Italicus in English poetic culture, especially the works of John Dryden and Alexander Pope. As a frequently assigned school text, the diminutive copy may well have been retained from Colchester’s school days. This edition was obtained from Christie’s at auction in April 2022 (with thanks to fellow Grolier member Rhiannon Knol who pushed for its inclusion in that auction).

From the Collection of Brendan Clark