Diodōrou tou Sikeliōtou Bibliothēkēs Historikēs ta Sōzomena
by Siculus Diodorus
Diodorus was born in Sicily in the first century BCE which led to his distinguishment “Siculus” (of Sicily). He likely began researching his history around 60 BCE when he visited Egypt, yet he traveled to Rome around 56BCE and stayed there to finish the books. Diodorus knew Latin and had access to many materials in Rome. He had a great respect for Julius Caesar, a rising political figure at the time, yet nothing indicates that Diodorus himself had any connection with key Roman players. [1]
The Greek historian wrote a series of forty books, commonly called the Library about Greece, Sicily and Rome from mythological times to 60BCE. Though some of the books are fully preserved, there are many which remain only in fragments. Diodorus used a variety of sources which sometimes makes his writing confusing, as he uncritically compiled his history of events and stories. However, it is of vital importance for its use, and therefore preservation, of sources. [2]
| Diodōrou tou Sikeliōtou Bibliothēkēs Historikēs ta Sōzomena = Diodori Siculi Bibliothecae Historicae Libri qui Supersunt | |
 Title page from Diodōrou tou Sikeliōtou Bibliothēkēs Historikēs ta Sōzomena = Diodori Siculi Bibliothecae Historicae Libri qui Supersunt, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary. | |
| Author | Siculus Diodorus |
| Published | Amstelodami: Sumptibus Jacobi Wetstenii |
| Date | 1746 |
| Language | Latin |
Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library
Listed in the Jefferson Inventory of Wythe's Library as Diodorus Siculus. 2.v. fol. and given by Thomas Jefferson to his grandson Thomas Jefferson Randolph. The Brown Bibliography[3] lists the 1746 edition published in Amersterdam based on a Jefferson copy now owned by the University of Virginia. George Wythe's Library[4] on LibraryThing states "Precise edition unknown. Several folio editions were published." The Wolf Law Library followed Brown's recommendation and purchased the edition published in Amsterdam in 1746.
Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy
Bound in sprinkled halfcalf with title labels in leather on backs. Contains engraved allegorical frontispiece, engraved portrait of P. Wesseling, and 2 large engraved title vignettes. Purchased from Lynge $ Son ILAB-LILA.
View this book in William & Mary's online catalog.
External Links
References
- ↑ " Diodōrus " in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World, ed. by John Roberts (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007).
- ↑ " Diodō'rus Si'culus” in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature, ed. by M.C. Howatson (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011).
- ↑ Bennie Brown, "The Library of George Wythe of Williamsburg and Richmond," (unpublished manuscript, May, 2012) Microsoft Word file. Earlier edition available at: https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/13433
- ↑ LibraryThing, s. v. "Member: George Wythe," accessed on April 21, 2013, http://www.librarything.com/profile/GeorgeWythe
