ZENO, Niccolo (Nicolo Zen the Younger), Dell’origine de’ barbari che distrussero per tutto’l mondo l’imperio di Roma, onde hebbe principio la citta’ di Venetia. Libri Undici. Con un cronico, che serve alle nationi ricordate in essi, et particolarmente a’ saper le cose fatte da i veneti dalla prima origine della citta’ fin l’anno DCCC., Per Plinio Pietrasanta, 1557

Large 8vo., contemporary vellum with gilt labeling to spine, green painted page edges, elaborate wood-engraved initials with cityscapes and fortifications in the background, pp. [ff. 4], pp. 210, [ff. 23] (chronological chart), 1 blank. Rare first edition. Some worm damage mainly affecting binding, some worming to outer pages and inner margins with no loss of text, binding chipped and repaired in places, pp. 5-11 heavily stained, some contemporary marginalia on pp. 23, 35, 123 and 163, contemporary ownership inscription on back page of chronology; otherwise a very good, bright copy. Nicolo Zen the Younger (il Giovane) was an important literary figure from Venice who opposed Venice’s decision to wage war with the Turks. A portrait of him by Titian survives in the Kingston Lacy collection. His literary output mainly concerned Venetian military history. This volume concerns the fall of the Roman Empire under the “Barbarians”, with a specific focus on Venice. Text in Italian.